The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises much needed funds for nursing and health charities through admissions, plant and refreshment sales.
- Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7TD (pictured): Twenty-four acres of beautiful restored wilderness and formal gardens set around C18 mansion (not open). Topiary, rose garden, herbaceous borders, walled kitchen garden and recently restored Italian and swimming pool gardens. Superb daffodils in spring and roses in June. Historical association with Jane Austen. Opens on the 17th of March.
- Crosslands Flower Nursery, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 0AX: A new NGS entry, offering a two hour, full all access tour of a fourth generation, award-winning, sustainably run flower nursery with 3 acres of glasshouses filled to the brim with Sussex grown alstroemeria. Opens on the 5th of March, pre-booking is advised.
- Waterperry, Wheatley, Oxfordshire, OX33 1JZ: Eight acres of beautifully landscaped ornamental gardens featuring the famous 200ft herbaceous border. At this time of year, the border is especially interesting as you can see the ‘bare bones’ with respects to plants, planting repetition and density, and the start of the Waterperry made hazel plant supports. If you can, do say hello to the Head Gardener, Pat Havers who has been associated with the garden since childhood. Opens on the 12th of March.
- East Ruston, Norwich, Norfolk, NR12 9HN: Large garden with traditional borders and modern landscapes. The 32 acres, East Ruston boasts a walled garden, rose and exotic gardens, extensive topiary, meadows, kitchen garden, parkland and heritage orchard. Opens on the 16th of March.
- Antony Woodland Garden, Torpoint, Cornwall, PL11 2QA: A haven of serenity and peace, the perfect place to admire the variety of plants, enjoy a pleasant walk, picnic or for children to explore. Holds the National Collection of Camellia japonica. Opens on the 1st of March.
- Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7DB: Internationally famous gardens, inc dry, damp, shade, reservoir and woodland areas. The result of over 60 years of hard work and application of the huge body of plant knowledge possessed by Beth Chatto and her husband Andrew. Opens on Saturday the 2nd of March, pre-booking is advised.