The Norfolk and Suffolk Group of the HPS

Our morning visit was to a garden in Old Lakenham.  This is a beautiful private garden showing the knowledge and interest of the owner and cared for by one of our members, Mike Newstead.  It is very inviting as soon as one enters the gate.  The garden runs down to the River Yare and incorporates well-established and interesting planting.  There is a serious water feature!

 At David Austin's Nursery we were fortunate to see the roses at their best. They were all in bloom on a fine day in a dry summer that meant they were all free from black spot. The pergolas and circular walled garden of the display area providede a setting that made all the blooms, but for a dull Chinese green flowered one (Rosa x odorata 'Viridiflora') look desirable.

 Our group left early on Saturday heading for Shropshire and the Welsh borders, staying in a hotel in Ironbridge for a couple of nights.  Our first stop on Saturday was to Coton Manor and its ten acre garden in the peaceful Northamptonshire countryside.  The garden encloses a series of smaller gardens to provide interest and variety throughout. 

Garden visits in Suffolk - Saturday, 26th June 

On a very hot day, and when hasn't it been lately, we visited some more wonderful gardens.  In the morning we visited the garden of our past Chairman, Anne McCord in Horringer, who only moved there five years ago.  Anne completely removed anything offending to start this garden from scratch, and what a transformation it was as evidenced by photos for us to peruse.  Anne, a keen plantswomen, designed the garden for easy maintenance in retirement, but with planting to give something of interest throughout the year. 

Later in the morning we visited Millfields House in Chevington.  This is a 30-year-old garden with a range of interesting trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants in about 2.5acres and includes a water garden.  It was most pleasant to stroll around the perimeter of the meadow to see the specimen trees.  The herbaceous border had been planted with advice and help from Notcutts.  The owners generously allowed us to picnic in their garden. 

Our afternoon visit was to Depden and Paugers Plants and small private garden.  I think this nursery is one of Suffolk's best kept secrets!  This is a small family business developed over the last few years where they grow everything themselves and specialise in hardy shrubs and perennials.    At the end of a very busy day our members treated themselves to a little retail therapy!  I can highly recommend a visit to this nursery which can be found on the A143. 

Full reports on these visits will be found in our Autumn newsletter later in the year.