Gardens


Explore the amazing green spaces of the South Hams Stunning gardens that have something for everyone


Lukesland Gardens, Ivybridge, is “one of the finest gardens of its kind in the South West” according to the Good Gardens Guide.


“What a glorious, tranquil place – divine plants. Enchant- ing garden and a lovely cup of tea!” These are just some of the comments from apprecia- tive visitors to the spectacular 24-acre Lukesland Gardens, Ivy- bridge. Tucked away in a peaceful woodland valley on the edge of Dartmoor (just 10 minutes off the A38), Lukesland’s noted collection of camellias, rhodo- dendrons and azaleas provide a spectacular show of colour in the spring against a wonderful backdrop of wild flowers. In October and November, the


reds and golds of Lukesland’s fine trees and shrubs reflected in the many pools and waterfalls of the Addicombe Brook are also well worth seeing. The brook is criss-crossed by a series of charming and unusual bridg- es, and its ponds are home to


wild birds, trout, tadpoles and toads. With home-made soup and cakes


served up by the


family in the new extension to the Victorian Billiard Room, and a children’s trail to keep the younger generation amused, these gardens have something for everyone. Plants, cards, paintings by


local artists, preserves, fused glass


and beautiful bowls,


turned from Lukesland wood, are on sale. Dogs are welcome on a lead.


In 2020, the gardens are open from 11am to 5pm on Sundays, Wednesdays and Bank Holidays in spring (March 22 to June 10) and autumn (October 11 to Nov- ember 15). On the VE Bank Holiday on


Friday, May 8, the garden will open in aid of the British Red Cross, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. For fur- ther details of the openings and other special events, call 01752 691749 or go to www.lukesland. co.uk or www.facebook.com/ lukeslandgardens.


Clifftop gardens unveil a new Japanese experience


If you haven’t visit- ed Overbeck’s before, you’re in for a treat. Carved into the cliff


side 80m above the sea, Overbeck’s Gar- den overlooks the Sal- combe estuary. Its


position provides breath-taking


extraordinary views


and provides the per- fect environment for a diverse range plants to flourish. To walk around the


garden at Overbeck’s is like being transport- ed to far and distant lands.


In the upper parts of the garden, you would be forgiven for think- ing you were in the Mediterranean as you look across the blue sea to the golden sands of Mill Bay and Sunny Beach Cove.


The planting also attempts to fool the senses; sun loving plants are happy here and many fill the air with aromatic scents such as lavender, rose- mary and citrus. As you descend into


the lower parts of the garden, you enter very different, subtropical world, with large lush foliage of bananas, palms and bamboos. Brightly coloured exot- ic flowers compete for your attention; ginger lilies, canna lilies and salvias to name a few. The favourable cli-


mate at Salcombe means that a huge


diversity of plants from all over the world can be grown at Over- beck’s. To


celebrate this


diversity, there will be a special focus on high- lighting plants from a particular part of the world,


and in 2020,


plants from Japan will be in the spotlight. Overbeck’s has a


strong representation of Japanese plants and areas with a decidedly Japanese feel. There are


atmos-


pheric moss-covered rocky outcrops, groups of elegant Japanese maples, cloud pruning myrtle, cascading wis- teria, Japanese bananas (which have fruited for 120 years) and, new for this year, vibrant Japanese azaleas. New


interpret-


ation boards for key Japanese plants will be located around the gar- den. They will provide anecdotes on husband- ry requirements, char- acteristics and planting by previous owners. The exhibition room will present a display of Japanese garden- ing tools loaned by Japanese tool importer Niwaki.


The South Devon


Bonsai Society will be displaying some of their exhibits at vari- ous dates through-out the year. These dates will be on the web- site, along with dates for our pruning drop-


in sessions, where you can come and watch the garden team and pick up some top-tips. The garden team will highlight some Japanese techniques and influenced areas in the garden. To include Yuki-Ga- koi (straw plant shel- ters), Kokedama, Niwaki training, cloud pruning, bonsai, stag horn fern mount, plus moss and rock out- crops. A new plant hunt- er family trail will be available from Easter, with plenty of oppor- tunity to get outside and have some fun. Following on with the Japanese theme, the tea-room will be offering a Japanese influenced cream tea served with matcha green tea plus other “Japanese” goodies during the year, along- side all the other well tried and tested menu choices.


The shop will be stocking some beauti- ful books about Japanese gardening in addition to all the top-quality gifts and treats for you to take home as a reminder of your day at Over- beck’s. After your explor- ation of the garden and house, our tea room team will be on hand to serve you with freshly prepared sandwiches with a


varied choice of local- ly sourced fillings, including crab – a popular choice. Plus, various soups, salads, cakes and ice- cream. If you feel like treating


yourselves,


you can book a sump- tuous afternoon tea – give us a ring on 01548 842893 and we can arrange this for you. Pop into the shop and take home some local preserves, souvenirs or even a statuette of The First Flight, unique to Overbeck’s. Overbeck’s is open daily until November 1 from 11am to 4.30pm.


Free entry to Nation-


al Trust members. See our website for full details of our entry prices and for all the great events going on at Overbeck’s this year. When you visit,


donate, volunteer or join the National Trust; your support helps us to


places


everyone. You can contact


us by phone 01548 842893, email over- becks@nationaltrust. org.uk and follow us on Facebook. Registered charity 205846.


look after special for ever, for


FAST RABBIT FARM GARDENS STRAWBERRY VALLEY, DARTMOUTH, TQ6 0NB Tel. 07813 504490


Website: www.fastrabbitfarm.co.uk E-mail: catchall@fastrabbitfarm.co.uk


SPECIALIST NURSERY AND GARDEN Featured on Television and Radio


FOR SALE: Wide range of rhododendrons, camellias and many unusual shrubs and perennials Now 43 acres of planted woodland, waterside garden and woodland walks. Dogs on leads welcome.


GARDEN OPEN DAILY Garden open from 11 am to 5 pm Free car park and toilets. Adult £5.00, Child 50p. www.fastrabbitfarm.co.uk


Harford, Ivybridge, PL21 0JF


Spring & Autumn Openings


“A gem of its kind’ - The Good Gardens Guide 24 acres of magnificent Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Champion Trees. Ponds, Pools and Waterfalls


SPRING


Open Suns, Weds & Bank Holidays 11am - 5pm 22nd March - 10th June


AUTUMN


Open Suns, Weds 11am - 5pm 11th October - 15th November


Entry Adults £6 Children Free Home-made soup & baking


01752 691749 www.lukesland.co.uk or Facebook 15


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