Gardens to visit
Everything’s coming up roses
Something to look forward to as the season bursts into bloom:
Smallhythe Place, Tenterden — home of the famous Victorian actress Ellen Terry, the garden reflects her passion for the powder puff roses that bathe the house and bask in the formal rose garden. Look out for shrub, floribundas and hybrid teas, including, of course, the pale yellow Ellen Terry.
Emmetts Garden, Ide Hill, Sevenoaks — this small, classic-style Edwardian rose garden features an abundance of pink blooms that has earned it the name of the ladies’ rose garden. Using photos from the 1900s, it was restored two years ago, with pink roses and pastel borders that its creator, Frederic Lubbock, designed for his wife.
Chartwell, Westerham — soft pink and white roses, including the heavily-scented ‘Ice Cream’ and ‘Royal William’, sit alongside the dramatic climbing roses in the walled garden – designed and planted by Lady Churchill and her head gardener. The golden rose walk, featuring 32 varieties of yellow rose, was a wedding anniversary present to the couple from their children.
It is possible to walk from here to the National Trust’s Emmetts Garden through the woods behind Chartwell.
Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst – As well as providing a magnificent backdrop to the garden, the castle’s inner courtyard is famous for its roses, clematis and geraniums, and the itea that clings to the walls.
Window box
• Gardens are one of England’s greatest attractions for overseas and domestic visitors.
• Internationally, more than half of all holiday-makers will squeeze in a trip to a park or garden, second only to shopping as an activity, with about 300 million garden tourists worldwide.
• Research shows one in five of us (18%) visited a garden on our last UK break.
NGS gardens open for charity in Kent
An incredible 140 gardens will open in Kent as part of The National Gardens Scheme.
It’s the county’s largest offering yet, and includes many private gardens, and dozens to see for the first time this year. They include:
• The Old Bakehouse, Dover Road, Walmer, Deal. A delightful walled garden demonstrating what can be done with a small space and a lot of imagination. Sunday, April 3.
• Yokes Court at Frinsted, near Sittingbourne. A three-acre private garden set in the Kent countryside. Sunday, June 12.
Or maybe, head to Whitstable, where seven gardens — and
others displaying balloons — will receive visitors on Sunday, June 12 (10am-5pm). From fishermen’s yards to formal gardens, this display is designed to encourage those new to gardening.
Gardens in Kent raised £197,000 last year for NGS nursing charities.
Pick up a book for details of open gardens at libraries and
garden centres or visit
www.ngs.org.uk. Hole Park bluebells courtesy of Darryl Curcher
Hole Park bluebells
Mid Kent Living 21
HOLE PARK GARDENS, ROLVENDEN
In early spring the gardens come alive when swathes of narcissi and daffodils cover this 16-acre garden and in April, its 10-acre wood is transformed by an amazing display of bluebells. Check out the park’s website for the best time to find them using the Bluebell Barometer. The camellia walk has also been
extended with winter and spring plants including epimediums, pulmonaria and brunnera. Then in May, enjoy swathes of dark purple Queen of the Night tulips in the rose garden and long borders. Rhododendrons, azaleas and the flower meadow also show off in May, followed by the unusual standard cut wisterias and the striking new allium walk in the sundial garden. There’s also the new border near the house featuring the Blue Moon rose and fragrant lavenders Gros Bleu and Sussex. Hard paths mean visitors with disabilities can explore the gardens and wheelchairs can be reserved free of charge. Light lunches, homemade cakes and a plant stall are available.
For details visit
www.holepark.com or call 01580 241344 / 241386.
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