Sir Harold Hillier Gardens visit 9th February 2008
25th June 2007
Well, what glorious weather for our coach trip to Hillier Gardens in Hampshire.
There were 33 of us in all for the day and Bridgette and Deborah had organised delicious homemade flapjacks, fruit and smoothies to help us on our way – “scrummy”!
On arrival and after a delightful scenic journey by our coach driver, we were ready to walk around and observe the wonderful array of plants, trees and shrubs.
We all started off in the Winter Garden which had a spectacular collection of all the different types of plants that are especially fantastic in winter. The colours were stunning; in fact the whole garden is wonderfully set out showing the contrasts of style, texture and colour. It certainly was a pleasure to walk around on such a beautiful day. There are fantastic trees too and a water and bog garden, together with a very educational children’s area. So much to see and impress.
In fact, Hilliers is the type of garden which can be enjoyed and explored by all age groups. There is something for everyone and I will certainly be recommending this venue to my friends and family.
On behalf of us all a big thanks to Bridgette and Deborah for organising such a fantastic trip.
Ally Penn
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Garland Making Workshops
10th December 2007
We held our xmas garland making workshops last week and as usual we all had a great time. There was the usual selection of foliage and the atmosphere was very jolly - helped by the mulled cider and we all had a lot of fun.
It helped everyone to get into the Christmas spirit and also do something creative with some fantastic flowers and foliage. Both the hall in Lewes and Brighton proved a good venue and we hope to see you all with your friends again next year.
Carol Klein visits the Garden House
29th June 2007
"Just occasionally you step into a garden full of magic and you’re overtaken by it’s spirit. Bridgette and Graham’s garden inspires and entrances, it's full of energy and life, it's irresistible."
Carol Klein
June Update
25th June 2007
Clinton Lodge, Fletching - Hidden Gardens Visits
Before entering the garden, there was a tremendous thunderstorm with a terrific down poor which lasted for 5 minutes. We were then met by Lady Collum, the owner of Clinton Lodge and guided to the back of the magnificent 17th C house.
Fortunately the sun came out just in time and we were able to listen to Lady Collum’s informative background chat with a refreshing glass of wine before starting our tour.
We began in the Double Herbaceous Border with an array of fantastic perennials including Delphiniums, phlox and monkshood set between yew and box. Following on into the Cloister Walk (inspired by a Pre-Raphaelite painting) and down to the herb garden and potager, laid out in medieval style. I particularly loved this area of garden. The herb garden was set out as a knot garden filled with aromatic plants. There were features everywhere, including a turf seat and a ‘cut out view’ of the park through a beech hedge. We ended out tour in the Rose garden arranged with a delight of fragrant blooms.
The whole place was breathtaking and inspiring with fantastic planting throughout. Everyone agreed what a wonderful place to visit.
Well done to Bridgette and Deborah for organising such a magnificent evening.
Allyson Penn
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April News
24th April 2007
Covent Garden Visit
Setting off from Brighton at 5.15 in the morning proved to be worthwhile on February 19th as we had a very enjoyable morning at the "new" Covent Garden market in Nine Elms. Sustained with strong coffee and croissants we were given a guided tour of the market and were then able to wander around ourselves, returning with the bus crammed with flowers, both bought and rescued from the skips surrounding the market!
It was a great morning and we plan to go late November to take advantage of plants/flowers/sundries prior to Christmas.
Please email us if you are interested as places are limited.
Beth Chatto's Garden and Glen Chantry
Our day spent at these two gardens was wonderful. Wol Staines, owner of the marvellous Glen Chantry, welcomed us warmly on arrival and gave us a brief history of the garden which he has created with his wife, Sue. The Spring interest was fantastic, with a great variety of plants in excellent condition. Their nursery offered a wonderful selection of unusual plants at very reasonable prices. The weather was brilliant and we enjoyed our picnic lunch in the fields surrounding the garden.
The afternoon was spent at Beth Chatto's garden. This is horticulture at its finest, seeing large swathes of plants in a naturalistic setting. Beth Chatto has spent care and time researching the origins of her plants and this shows as the plants seem very 'at home' in their locations. The peace and tranquillity of the garden is strenghtened by the extensive use of water.
On return the coach was packed with plants, and we snoozed our way home watching a Beth Chatto dvd giving the history of the gardens.
We all had a lovely day out!
“You don't half know how to organise a trip.”
Jan W
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The Garden House on TV!
8th March 2007
We are pleased to announce that the BBC will be filming the Garden House for a programme with Carol Klein in the autumn. The shows producers visited last week in the pouring rain and filmed for four hours and will be returning in May to film during the National Gardens Scheme open day.
Plants for sale
3rd March 2007
The Garden House have a variety of seasonal shrubs and other plants for sale at very reasonable prices. Contact us for details and prices.
February Update
27th February 2007
Our visit to Anglesey Abbey was fantastic. The Winter Walk was breath taking, offering brilliant colour, texture and shape. Wonderful combinations of plants met the eyes round every curve.
Click on a picture below to open a larger version in a new window. Pictures are quite large so may take a while to download.
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January update
15th January 2007
We are so pleased to have our website up and running and many thanks to Simon McFarlane of ClearBytes for constructing it. We would welcome any comments you may have. We hope it is easy to navigate and you are able to receive the information you need about our courses and workshops.
Again, we were fully booked for our Festive Wreath-making workshops held before Christmas.
Last Saturday, January 13th, Liz Ingram led a fantastic workshop on DIY FOR THE GARDEN AND SHED and everyone learnt how to use drills and saws correctly, and went home with a wooden boot rack! Pictures to follow...but here are some comments:
"I got everything I wanted from the course and more"
"I was planning my next DIY project before I left"
It was great to be in a small group where I felt unthreatened as I learnt useful skills that in the past I have been afraid to master."
On January 27th Sue Samways is teaching the workshop MOSAIC STEPPING STONES at the Garden House. We are now fully booked for this course but are hoping to run it again later in the year, so please contact us if you would like to go on the waiting list. Likewise we will be running another basic DIY course so do let us know if you would like to join us for that.
All the best and enjoy the snowdrops..................Deborah and Bridge
Garden House web site launched
16th December 2006
We're very please to announce the launch of our *all new* web site. It's the perfect place to find out more information about the events that we run and also book online.
If you can think of anything that would improve our web site just let us know.