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.
17. Renishaw
Renishaw Hall & Gardens, Renishaw, S21 3WB offers seven acres of stunning grounds including Italianate gardens, rose gardens, the National Collection of Yuccas, sculptures, woodland walks and lakes. Light refreshments at kiosk. Open day on July 5, from 10.30am to 4pm. Entry: £8 (adult), £3.50 (child). Photo: Submitted
18. Bradwell
Nether Moor House, Granby Road, Bradwell, Hope Valley, S33 9HU has a country garden with views of the valley. The front terraces have colourful planting and box hedges, there is a lawn below with colourful borders stocked with unusual plants and there is a Japanese patio garden and a small pond. The rear garden contains sculptures, wild flowers, fruit and vegetables. Open day on July 9, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Entry: £5 (adult), free for children. Photo: Rod Smallwood
19. Middleton by Wirksworth
The Old Vicarage, The Fields, Middleton by Wirksworth, Matlock, DE4 4NH offers fantastic views to Black Rocks. The garden has mixed flowering borders and mature trees. Camellias and rhododendrons are grown in pots in the courtyard, ferns and exotic plants in the fernery. There is an orchard, fruit garden, vegetable patch and greenhouse. Home-made teas. Open days are on July 10, from 11am to 5pm and on September 18, from 11am to 4pm. Entry: £4 (adult), free for children. Photo: Submitted
20. Belper
26 Windmill Rise, Belper, DE56 1GQ is a lush garden with rare and unusual plants, divided into woodland, Japanese, secret garden, cottage, edible, ponds and small stream. Open days on July 23 and 23, from 11.30am to 4.30pm. Entry: £4 (adult), free for children. Photo: Submitted