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.
21. Stanton-In-The-Peak
2 Haddon View, Birchover Road, Stanton-In-The-Peak, Matlock, DE4 2LR offers a garden with rhododendrons, patio pots, cacti in the greenhouse, three wildlife ponds and a koi pond. Home-made teas. Hare Hatch Cottage, Stanton-In-The-Peak, DE4 2LX is a small garden which wraps around the house. Woodend Cottage, Main Road, Stanton-In-The-Peak, DE4 2LX has a narrow strip of land which has follies amongst the plants while the gardens to the front and rear of the cottage have diverse planting and a vegetable plot. The open days at the three properties are on July 23 and 24, from 1pm to 5pm. Entry to all the gardens is £5 (adult), free for children. Photo: Submitted
22. Chesterfield
Byways, 7A Brookfield Avenue, Brookside, Chesterfield, S40 3NX is a multi award-winning garden which has borders including helenium, monardas, phlox, grasses and acers, a rockery and many planters containing acers, pelargoniums, ferns, hostas and fuchsias. Light refreshments available. Open days are on July 30 and 31, from 11.30am to 4.30pm. Entry: £3.50 (adult), free for children. Photo: Submitted
23. Tissington
Tissington Hall, Tissington, Ashbourne, DE6 1RA has supported the National Garden Scheme for more than 85 years. The hall has five acres of grounds, a rose garden on the west terrace and herbaceous borders. Light refreshments available at award-winning tearoom. Open days on August 15, 22 and 29, from 12noon to 3pm. Entry: £7 (adult), £3.50 (child). Photo: Submitted
24. Milford
Chevin Brae, Milford, Belper, DE56 0QH has a large garden with hosts of daffodils in the orchard during the spring. Wildlife planting on the edge of woodland includes aconites, snowdrops, wood anemones, fritillaries and dog tooth violets. Other parts have hellebores and early camelias. Flower borders and rose trellises give the garden colour during the summer. Open day on August 20, from 1pm to 5pm. Entry: £3 (adult), £2.50 (child). Photo: Amanda McConnell