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.

13. Temple Normanton
Moorfields, 261 Chesterfield Road, Temple Normanton, S42 5DE has two adjacent gardens, the larger one having mixed island beds and borders, a small wildflower area, large wildlife pond and an orchard. The smaller gardens have herbaceous borders and shrubs. Light refreshments available. Open day on June 26, from 1pm to 5pm. Entry: £3.50 (adult), children go free. Photo: Submitted

14. Littlemoor
Hill Cottage, Ashover Road, Littlemoor, Ashover, S45 0BL has an English country cottage garden with colourful and fragrant mixed borders, hostas and roses in pots along with a heart shaped lawn.There are views stretching to Ogston reservoir. Home-made teas available. Open day is on July 3 from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Admission £4 (adult), children go free. Photo: Amanda McConnell

15.
The Lilies, Griffe Grange Valley, Grange Mill, Matlock, DE4 4BW has a one-acre garden at the top of a wooded valley, surrounded by wildflower meadow and woodland. There are three ponds, a cottage style garden and a vegetable plot. Light lunches, home-made teas, tea, coffee and cake served all day. Open days are on July 3 and August 14, from 11.30am to 2pm. Entry: £4 (adult), free for children. Photo: Submitted

16. f2bf7690-43b2-4476-974a-40079ba402fb
Candlemas Cottage, Alport Lane, Youlgrave, DE45 1WN offers a contemporary cottage garden contemporary cottage garden with rose beds, wisteria arch, kitchen garden and pollinator's patch. Home-made teas. Open day on July 3, from 11.30am to 4.30pm. Entry: £3.50 (adult), free for children. Photo: Submitted

