Their generosity aids the National Garden Scheme, which last year supported good causes to the tune of more than £3million. The lion’s share of that amount, £2,557,500, went to nursing and health charities who provided critical support to the NHS during the Covid pandemic.
David and Anne Wilkinson, of Brierley Farm, Ashover, will be opening their garden to the public for the first time on May 10. When the couple moved in 16 years ago they inherited an established garden with a system of connected ponds and woodland with winding paths. The garden has since been extended, ponds have since been remodelled, a vegetable/nursery garden created, rhododendrons and azaleas added and bulbs including hellebores and hostas planted.
Anne, 64, a chartered accountant working in the greetings card industry, said: “I love the garden’s remote location straddling the Smalley Brook stream and the challenges its varying habitats provide for different gardening styles."
Gill and Colin Hancock have been opening their garden at Belper Road, Stanley Common for 24 years. Helped by family and friends, the couple have raised £46,375 for the National Garden Scheme.
Retired teaching assistant Gill, 70, said: “The garden has lots of features including a laburnum tunnel, rose dome, wildlife pond, vegetable garden and rose meadow. We also have a ten-acre wood whcih was planted after the land was opencast in 1999 and a half-acre lake.”
Colin, who was a tool designer at Rolls Royce before retirement, and Gill will open their garden to the public on May 22 and June 19, 2022.
9. Middleton
12 Water Lane, Middleton, Matlock, DE4 4LY, is a hillside garden on several levels, created as rooms to capture the views over Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. There is a woodland walk, ponds and an 'infinity' garden. Home-made teas, refreshments in aid of Wirksworth Community Swimming Pool. Open days on June 4 and 5, August 28 and 29, from 11am until 5pm. Entry: £4 (adult), free for children. Photo: Submitted
10. Chesterfield
Walton Cottage, Matlock Road, Walton, S42 7LG has a large garden that includes woodland, orchard, kitchen garden and lawns with views over Chesterfield. Light refreshments. Open day on June 12, from 11am to 4.30pm. Entry: £4 (adult), free for children. Photo: Submitted
11. Ambergate
Holmlea, Derby Road, Ambergate, Belper, DE56 2EJ has a large garden with Formal garden, kitchen garden and a vegetable garden. A path leads to the riverside area with signal box/summerhouse, boules court, canal lock water feature and riverside walk. Light refreshments. Open days on June 18 and 19, September 10 and 11, from 11am to 4pm. Entry: £4 (adult), free for children. Photo: Amanda McConnell
12. Chesterfield
330 Old Road, Brampton, Chesterfield, S40 3QH has a garden extending to a third of an acre with andscaped lawns, orchard and cottage style planting. There are unusual perennials, species groups such as astrantia, lychnis, thalictrum, heuchera and 40+ clematis. Acers, actea, hosta, ferns and acanthus are planted in this garden as are delphinium, helenium, Echinacea, acers and hosta. Home-made teas. Open days on June 24 and 25. Entry: £4 (adult), free for children. Photo: Submitted