The Secret Gardens of Stourpaine – 2014

The Secret Gardens of Stourpaine – 2014
Supported by the Stourpaine Gardening Club

In a few weeks time about 25 gardens in Stourpaine, Dorset will be opened to the general public. This is in order to help raise money for charitable causes such as the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance service. An entrance fee of £5 per day will be charged for each day but children will be welcome free of charge.

It is now eleven years since this event was last held and a number of “new” residents to Stourpaine will be joining in by opening their gardens.

The Secret Gardens of Stourpaine will be held over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd June 2014 when all the gardens will be open from 11am to 5pm. Visitors will be able to wander around this lovely village and have the chance to see a wide variety of gardens. Teas will be available on each day.

If you haven’t already made a note in your diary to come along with your family and friends to this wonderful event, then please do and then join us on either or both days!

A sample of what’s in store includes the following descriptions from three of those who will be opening their gardens.

“A garden of approximately 1¼ acres consisting of perennial beds, shrubbery, rose beds and a wild meadow in a woodland area. There are also hot beds with exotic plants which thrive in hot sunny positions as well as a wildlife pond. The vegetable garden consists of three greenhouses and raised beds. The garden faces south west and comprises very open wet soil, composed mainly of clay and chalk. On the south side there is a courtyard garden with a water feature and potted plants. A large wisteria covers the south wall. Beautiful views of the Stour valley can be had from many different levels but these may be difficult for some disabled persons to manage.”

“A Victorian walled garden with magnificent views of Hod Hill and the Stour valley. Set in a third of an acre with an additional third for vegetables and fruit, chickens and pigs. The large sloping lawn is bordered by mixed cottage garden plants, shrubs and trees, a delight at all times of the year – ‘“I retired last year…..to spend my life in the garden!’ ”

“A topiary garden surrounding the cottage opens into a wildlife meadow with stream, at the base of Hod Hill. The gardens have evolved over 40 years, planted and shaped by the present owners, (who happen to be biologists which may explain the several ponds and ‘dinosaur’ hedge). There is a silver/white underlying theme throughout counter pointed with purples/sharp blues at various seasons, and a progressively airy planting linking the formal garden to the meadow, with cow parsley and Crambe leading the eye towards a silver copse underplanted with ramsons, white bluebells, foxgloves, Sibirica iris and white willow herb.
The white comfrey on the curved bank that divides the meadow supports a huge population of Scarlet tiger moths and the tall silver mint is also very insect friendly. On the north bank by the waterfall, giant yellow scabious (Cephalaria) are succeeded by shoulder high Devil’s bit scabious, all abuzz with insects. Wild life abounds from egrets, herons, kingfishers, owls, woodpeckers etc to hedgehogs, shrews, eels, frogs, damsel flies and slow worms”.