July is a great time to visit gardens looking their absolute best and there are lots of local NGS openings. Remember your visit helps raise monies for cancer and caring charities, including Macmillan and Parkinson’s UK. See www.ngs.org.uk.
Wednesday 2nd July, 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Norwell Gardens, Norwell NG23 6JX
This is the 29th year that Norwell has opened a range of different, very appealing gardens, all making superb use of the beautiful backdrop of a quintessential English countryside village, including a garden nursery of national renown. The beautiful mediaeval church and its peaceful churchyard with grass labyrinth will be open for quiet contemplation.
Sunday 6th July, 1.00pm to 6.00pm
Normanton Hall, South Street, Normanton on Trent NG23 6RQ
This three-acre garden is a tree lovers paradise featuring mature oaks, lime, beech and yew with more recent additions of hardwood trees in an arboretum, Rhododendron and Camellia Walk, and recently established parkland, with award-winning woodland. Picnics welcome on poolside lawn.
Sunday 6th July, 11.00am to 4.00pm
Group Opening: Whatton Gardens, Whatton NG13 9EQ
5 Burton Lane, Whatton
Organic cottage style garden which is productive, highly decorative and wildlife friendly with colour and scent from spring to autumn.
Cedarwood
A plant-woman’s garden developed over 20 years and planted for year-round colour and their attractiveness to wildlife as well as people. It includes various mixed orders, a pond, alpine crevice garden and woodland planting.
The Cottage
Walled cottage garden with generous herbaceous borders, wine covered pergola, herb area, patios, veg patch, and lots of roses.
Thursday 17th July, 10.30am to 3.00pm
Rhubarb Farm, Hardwick Street, Langwith NG20 9DR
This two-acre horticultural social enterprise provides training and volunteering opportunities to 60 ex-offenders, drug and alcohol misusers, older people, school students, people with mental and physical ill health and learning disabilities. There are eight polytunnels, 100 hens, pigs, donkey, a Shetland pony, a plethora of garden related buildings and gardens with copious vegetable planting and plants for sale.
Sunday 20th July, 1.00pm to 4.00pm
5a High Street, Sutton on Trent NG23 6QA
Large village garden with vistas leading past a gravel planting area to tropical areas and vibrant herbaceous beds. Ponds run through the plot, leading to woodland walks and a dedicated fernery (180 plus varieties), with magnificent tree ferns. Topiary links all the different planting areas to great effect. There are different planting areas and ideas around every corner. Paintings for sale.
Sunday 20th July, 1.00pm to 4.00pm
The Old Vicarage, Halam Hill, Halam NG22 8AX
An artful eye for design, texture, colour, love of unusual plants and trees makes this a welcoming gem to visit. This two-acre organic hillside garden has matured into a much admired, popular landscape garden, with beautiful views.
Saturday 26th July, 10.00am to 4.00pm
Floral Media, Norwell Road, Caunton NG23 6AQ
A beautifully maintained country garden with beds overflowing with a variety of roses, shrubs and flowers and a gravel / oriental garden, cutting gardens and vegetable beds. Visit the flower farm, supplying British grown stems to florists and farm shops. There is often live music in the garden.
Sunday 27th July, 10.00am to 3.00pm
Oasis Community Gardens, 2a Longfellow Drive, Kilton Estate, Worksop S81 0DE
Community gardens are flourishing all over the UK and provide huge benefits. This splendid example started from an abandoned field and transformed into an award-winning garden with over 30 project areas, with diverse horticultural themes. Children are well catered for, with Wildlife Wonderland, and a pre-school play village. New for the July opening is an aviary, home to exotic birds.