Alphabet Gardens 2013 - Some awesome "A" properties

The holm oak walk at Arley Hall in Cheshire

With so few gardens to visit in the winter months and with weather forecasters telling us this is going to be the coldest winter on record for many years, I plan to feature a series of alphabetical posts in the next few weeks, showing what's on offer here in the UK for garden lovers. The list is far from exhaustive, but growing every year and covers some of the gardens I've enjoyed visiting during the last four years. Most are only open during the summer months, but if you're planning garden visits for 2014, you may want to bookmark those you like the look of.

Aberglasney Gardens in Wales is well worth visiting because of the painstaking restoration work carried out here to transform what was once considered "lost" into what is there today. Saved by a group of historic house enthusiasts and an American benefactor in the 1990's, the results are impressive and, as you wander through the grounds, you feel as though you've stepped back in time. Also worth knowing remembering because it's open every day except Christmas Day.

Alfriston Clergy House in East Sussex (above) is a 14th century cottage surrounded by a series of Arts & Crafts terraces, owned and operated by the National Trust - the first property added to their portfolio as long ago as 1896. It nestles in glorious countryside near the coast and makes an interesting stop if you're visiting any of the Bloomsbury Set gardens in area, especially Monks House, which is just a stone's throw away. 

Athelhampton House in Dorset (above) has a fine architectural garden, with unusual features including a circular Corona, Great Court with its 12 immaculately clipped yew pyramids, and the benefit of the River Piddle, which bounds the garden on one side and feeds the pools and fountains that are one of the most attractive features of the property. An interesting house too, and lovely views over the surrounding Thomas Hardy countryside. Gardens open March to end of October, and there are many other spectacular properties nearby, including Mapperton.

An Cala in Scotland sits in a marvellous position near the sea (above), and is a series of carefully planted areas which invite further investigation, and there are many charming touches including sheep sculptures, a burbling stream and a small wooden temple. Generally considered to be at its best in spring and summer, and with a wonderful collection of azaleas and rhododendrons, I visited in the autumn and really enjoyed my afternoon amid the falling leaves, with the bracing air. Open April - October, and well worth combining with some of the other fine gardens in the area.

Nearby Arduaine is another must-see in Scotland (above), with fine sea views, an incredible collection of trees and shrubs and an interesting history. The first great gardener who lived here was James Campbell, a tea planter, who brought back fine specimens from his forays into Sri Lanka and the East. Acquired in 1971 by two Essex nurserymen, Edmund and Harry Wright, the gardens were given to the National Trust for Scotland in 1992. Open year round - wonderful for views over the Sound of Jura and long walks.

Arley Hall in Cheshire is one to visit if you've got at least half a day to spare. Reputed to be the home of Britain's first herbaceous borders (above) - first recorded on a map in 1846 - they are well worth visiting throughout the season and you'll be treated to different flowering displays every month. But equally impressive are the two walled gardens, the spectacular springtime rootery, filled with early flowering woodland shrubs, and the holm oak walk (top). Open March to September.

Ascott in the Vale of Aylesbury, is a former Rothschild home and a grand 30-acre landscape featuring topiary, borders and fountains. Originally purchased by Baron Meyer de Rothschild, but transformed by his nephew Leopold into what you see today. With fountains by Thomas Waldo Story (above) and a huge topiary sundial sculpted out of golden box and yew, this is a garden to savour on a summer's day.

One for the Christmas Wishlist - The New English Garden

In the run up to Christmas, we’re all on the lookout for books to give to family and garden-loving friends. Tim Richardson’s latest offering – The New English Garden – with lavish photography by Andrew Lawson, is certainly one to consider. It features 25 contemporary gardens that have “been made or remade over the last decade” and while it is perhaps a bold project because it will date quite quickly, it’s certainly a lavish coffee table offering and a source of new ideas for gardens to visit.

That said, most of us will be hard pressed to visit some of the properties within, since they rarely open to the public. Plaz Metaxu, Tilbury Hall and Mount St John do not open their doors for the NGS and unless you’re lucky enough to find them on a private garden tour, you're unlikely to get to see them. But the joy of this book is that you can enjoy a vicarious look through Andrew Lawson’s eyes. 

The New English Garden features some surprises, given Richardson's explanation for his choices. Both Great Dixter and Highgrove appear, although neither fit the bill of "made or remade" in the last 10 years, but they complement the other properties and certainly provide some previously unpublished images in a book that for the most part features gardens created on a scale that we expect to see at huge estates.

Bury Court in Hampshire, which showcases both Piet Oudolf and Christopher Bradley-Hole's work

Readers will have no problem visiting the one National Trust property featured - Packwood House - or indeed Scampston Hall, Trentham and Cottesbrooke Hall, which throw open their doors to the public throughout the summer season. Other gardens that were once totally inaccessible to the public are also included, notably The Laskett and Highgrove. And with a little determination, readers can also access Bury Court and Arabella Lennox Boyd's garden at Gresgarth Hall.

Mount St John, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith opens occasionally to the public

I've been lucky enough to visit at least 10 of the gardens in this book, including The Laskett, Gresgarth Hall, Bury Court, Mount St John and most recently, Keith Wiley's Wildside, but there are still several that remain on my Wishlist, notably Througham Court and Plaz Metaxu. But until I get there, I too will have to satisfy my curiosity with Tim Richardson's latest book.

RRP for this book is £40.00, but the publisher is offering a special price of £32.00 (including p&p in the UK) to Galloping Gardener readers. To order a copy telephone 01903 828503 or email: mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk, quoting reader offer code APG19 and giving your name and address details. Add £2.50 for postage and packing for overseas orders.

Two of the finest sub-tropical gardens in Cornwall - Trebah and Glendurgan

Stand at the top of Trebah and you will enjoy views over the gardens and estuary below

Cornwall is a garden lovers paradise, even this late in the season. Home to some of the greatest plant hunters in history and with a climate that fosters plants and trees that won't grow elsewhere in England, it's perfect for plantsmen and an Arcadia for arborists. Head to two neighbouring gardens - Trebah and Glendurgan - on the Helford estuary near Falmouth - and you'll encounter palms, tree ferns and many other exotic specimens that you'd normally only see in a botanical glasshouse here in the UK. 

The gardens at Trebah date back more than a century and are reminiscent of Jurassic Park

The two gardens were originally owned by two members of the same family. Charles Fox created the 25 acres at Trebah in the 19th century, after his father gave him the estate and many of the trees there date back to his time in residence. Neighbouring Glendurgan (now under the stewardship of the National Trust) was created by his older brother, Alfred. And whilst both gardens are best known for their spectacular spring displays of azaleas, camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons, there are also many fine trees and sub-tropical plants, which give year-round appeal.

Perhaps the most spectacular feature of both gardens is their steep hillside positions, with houses set at the highest point and magnificent views down through the densely planted ravines to the Helford River below. In autumn the vista from the top or bottom of Trebah is impressive, as your eye travels over acres of hydrangeas and huge gunnera beds (above), while spring brings fantastic wild flower tapestries. As you stroll into the valley at Glendurgan you will find amazing trees and the laurel maze (below), which appeals to all ages.

The laurel maze at Glendurgan appeals to all ages

Glendurgan is definitely at its best in springtime if it's colour that you're looking for. But anyone who is interested in trees will enjoy visiting later in the season - there are plenty of deciduous trees including huge oaks, limes, sycamores and beech; as well as a sub-tropical zone with unusual palms and countless tree ferns. Today, the garden is run by the National Trust, following a hand-over by the Fox family in 1962. Trebah was acquired by Major Tony Hibbert and his wife in 1981 and is now operated as a registered charity.

Trebah remains open throughout the year and is open daily from 10.00. Admission is £8.50 for adults and £2.50 for children. Glendurgan closes during the winter months (from the beginning of November), but re-opens in springtime. 

The Garden House - a remarkable plantsman's garden in Devon

The Garden House has eight acres of naturalistic planting at the edge of Dartmoor

The Garden House near Plymouth in Devon, is a delightful property that's really worth making the effort to see if you're in the area, or en route to the West Country. This is a garden for all seasons and it doesn't matter whether you visit early in the season to catch the rhododendrons; in May to see the wisteria in full bloom; high summer, when every border is bursting with colour and the wildflower meadow is at its peak; or October to see the wonderful autumn hues in the acer glade. The whole effect is one of a floral tapestry, set against a historical backdrop and fine views. 

Visitors can enjoy fantastic views of the church and Dartmoor beyond from The Garden House

Tucked away down winding country lanes in a village called Buckland Monachorum, it was created by a passionate plantsman more than 60 years ago. Successive head gardeners have considerably enhanced the eight-acre property and added their own stamp over the years, particularly Keith Wiley, who spent quarter of a century here adding to the backbone of the garden created by the owner.  

The story here began in 1945 when a former Eton schoolmaster - Lionel Fortescue - moved to the 1920s vicarage that forms the central focus of much of the garden and began planting a walled garden around the ruins of a former 16th century vicarage in the lowest section of the landscape. Fortescue was the son of a Newlyn school painter and he clearly had a good eye for colour. He also liked innovative planting schemes and during the period that Keith Wiley worked with him, they created a series of inspirational vistas, with views to the village church and Dartmoor beyond.

The lower sections of the garden are woven around the ruins of a 16th-century abbey

Fortescue was also a passionate plant collector who travelled far and wide to find good specimens. Today The Garden House has an excellent collection of azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias for spring colour and acers that come into their own in the autumn. The emphasis here is on naturalistic planting, which is considerably enhanced by the stunning views over the horizon and the theatrical elements of the ruins within. 

Fortescue worked closely for 25 years with head gardener, Keith Wiley, to create the spectacular walled garden that is such a prominent feature here. And although the former schoolteacher died in 1981, Wiley continued as head gardener until 2003, when he was succeeded by Matt Bishop. Keith has now moved on and created his own magnificent garden and nursery at neighbouring Wildside - elsewhere in the village. Definitely one for the wishlist and open during high summer (click on link for details).

The Garden House has something to offer throughout the seasons - seen here in October

The Garden House is open from the beginning of March until the end of October daily, from 10.30-17.00. Admission is £6.60 for adults and £2.70 for children, and annual membership costs just £28, which also admits you to another of my favourite Devon gardens - Coleton Fishacre - and Trebah in Cornwall - well worth the money if you're lucky enough to spend time in the West Country.

Almost Wordless Wednesday - Autumn colours and blooms

Happy 80th birthday to John Brookes - influential garden and landscape designer

John Brookes is to garden design and landscape what Terence Conran was to household interiors – so major has his influence been on the way we have come to perceive the space outside our homes in the last 50 years. He has taught several generations of gardeners to to explore and enjoy the concept of “The Room Outside” through his pioneering garden designs, his prolific writing and his teaching. John is 80 this week, but continues to work at a pace that leaves most of us standing! 

John in his garden at Denmans last week

Although I have only known him for a couple of years, I’ve been privileged to work with John on two occasions in India. We have travelled, shivered and laughed together as we faced impossible driving conditions, unexpected low temperatures and ridiculous situations where we were either unable to make ourselves understood, or had been so misunderstood that the end result caused us to collapse in fits of merriment. 

John on safari in Ranthambore - December 2012

But we have also explored amazing forts, castles and gardens during long journeys through Rajasthan and climbed more steps in a day than most of us would normally climb in a month. We have also worked with charities near Jaipur and Udaipur and even been on tiger hunts in Ranthambore, although sadly we never caught sight of this amazing creature. 
     John is an entertaining travelling companion and I feel lucky to have had the pleasure of his company when visiting India. What’s more, he’s remarkably fit when it comes to climbing the huge numbers of steps that are part of any trip to an Indian fort!

     I first met him in the summer of 2011 in a private garden he designed in Sussex – Ecclesden Manor near Worthing. He was sitting in the summer house and I asked if I could interview him. I was surprised to hear he knew of “The Galloping Gardener” and when he asked me why I’d never featured his garden, I’d no reply except to say that I’d love him to show it to me. Within a week, he introduced me to the magical kingdom he has created at his home in Sussex - DenmansGarden.

That first visit to Denmans will always remain in my memory because John was a charming host and guide and talked passionately about the concept of garden design, while pointing out some of the unusual plants at Denmans and highlighting some of the understated views that make his garden so special. Since then I have visited John many times at his home and each time I find something new to amaze me in his garden – be it a plant or a vista.

Denmans in springtime

John’s list of achievements is impressive – four times a Chelsea Gold Medal winner; awarded an MBE in 2004 for garden design and services to horticulture; more than 1200 garden designs for clients worldwide; a host of books and magazine articles; lectures and teaching assignments worldwide; and on a personal level, one of the most gentle, charming and entertaining figures in and out of the garden I’ve yet had the pleasure to meet. I rarely encounter anyone in the gardening world who’s not acquainted with John – even if not in person, but through his reputation.

He trained with Dame Sylvia Crowe and notable plantswoman, Brenda Colvin and then went on to study landscape design at University College London. By the middle of the sixties he had set up his own private practice. Since then he has never looked back and is known all over the world for his pioneering garden designs at both private houses and public gardens, including the English Walled Garden at The Chicago Botanic Garden, Samares Manor in Jersey, the College Garden at Westminster Abbey and Zespol Palace Park in Poland, to name just a few that are accessible to the public.

Denmans in summer time (taken in June this year)

There are few garden designers who don’t own copies of his books, including the seminal “Room Outside” and “The Book of Garden Design”. And for a really interesting insight into his life, career and garden designs, it’s well worth reading Barbara Simms’s book, “John Brookes – Garden and Landscape Designer”.

As an octogenarian, Brookes will continue to travel all over the world as a garden design and landscape guru, advising clients and producing new designs for those lucky enough to enlist his help on the garden dreams. Fitting in lunch or dinner is not easy these days as he is so much in demand, but we will be returning to India again together in 2014 because John is the mind behind the landscape at a new project that I'm working on in Rajasthan.

Britain's best October gardens - where to see wonderful autumn colours in the south of England

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Romsey in Hampshire - open throughout the winter months

There are many signs that autumn is in the air, with low-lying mists rolling off rivers and the all-too familiar early morning visibility problems on the way to work. And some leaves are beginning to turn, although it's too early for the spectacular autumn colours that some of the gardens here are famous for. But with the change in seasons, today's entry is a round-up of some of the gardens in the south of England that are really worth visiting at this time of year. Some remain open throughout the year, but both the Exotic Garden in Norwich and Great Dixter close in the next few weeks, so try and get there if you can to catch autumn at its best. 

West Dean remains open throughout the year except for two weeks at Christmas

In Hampshire, Sir Harold Hillier left the nation a wonderful garden legacy at his former home outside Romsey (top) - now run by the council and recognised as one of the great gardens of Britain, the winter garden provides year round colour and the trees are always worth a visit when the leaves are turning, particularly the acer glade. Open daily throughout the year, except Christmas and Boxing Day, this garden gives joy throughout the winter months. The same is true of West Dean near Chichester, which only closes for two weeks at Christmas and New Year. 

John Brookes' garden - Denmans, outside Chichester is open year round

Master gardener John Brookes opens his garden - Denmans near Chichester - to the public throughout the seasons, as does Beth Chatto, whose home in Essex has become famous the world over for her shade combinations. Both gardens offer seasonal highlights, even in the depths of winter and although Beth's garden closes for two weeks over Christmas and New Year, John's remains open except Xmas, Boxing and New Year's Day. 

Beth Chatto's garden also remains open throughout the year and has spectacular autumn colour

And as it's still early in the month, you've just got time to catch some of the great exotic gardens in full bloom, including Will Giles' amazing offering in the heart of Norwich, where his one-acre sub-tropical paradise remains open for another two weekends, or the stunning autumn hues on a slightly larger scale at Great Dixter in East Sussex, where Fergus Garrett has carried on the work that Christo Lloyd began all those years ago. His exotic garden (below) looks exceptional at this time of year and remains open until 27th October (closed Mondays).

The Exotic Garden at Great Dixter - open to all until 27th October

In the next few weeks, I will be visiting some of the great autumn gardens in the West country, and heading towards Devon and Cornwall, where the kinder weather allows many gardens to flourish throughout the winter months. And later this week, I shall be celebrating John Brookes' 80th birthday here with him on the blog, so do join me.

Will Giles' Exotic Garden in Norwich remains open until 20th October - Sundays only