Garden

The Garden at Tichborne House Tichborne, Hampshire

The Tichborne family have lived on this site beside the river Itchen since the 12th century. They have a fascinating history - there’s a Catholic martyr; Chidiock Tichborne, a lost at sea heir; Sir Roger Tichborne and his impersonator; Arthur Orton known as the Tichborne Claimant, whose trial gripped Victorian society. Then there’s the Tichborne Dole, the giving of flour to locals, which continues on 25 March each year and was instigated by the charitable Lady Mabella Tichborne in the thirteenth century.

The bones of the garden may be rooted in this history with a large house containing a private chapel beside a moat, ancient trees and Victorian outbuildings but the essence of the garden is progressive and created almost entirely over the last 20 years. An original plan by Michele Hickman for an area around the moat has been tinkered with, extended and adapted over the years. More hedges have been planted and core structural shapes have been integrated to give the perennials and grasses a backdrop and winter interest. Seed is left to settle and the sinuous bed shapes are in direct response to the surrounding rolling hills and curvaceous boundary hedges visible from the house.

There is a fully productive walled kitchen garden with cut flower beds, fruit trees and vegetables plus a rickety greenhouse. Outside this walled garden, you will find an orchard and berry cage. The garden is very much a work in progress and private family space but for a few days this year, it will be open for people to visit and enjoy (hopefully) and maybe even get inspiration from for their own gardens. The entrance fee from these days will be donated to charities chosen by Catherine Loudon, whose late husband Anthony was the grandson of Sir Anthony Doughty Tichborne, and their 3 children.

OPEN GARDEN Tichborne House

SO24 0NA Saturday 19 June 1-6pm

Entrance fee to the Hampshire & IOW Air Ambulance Adults £7.50 Children optional donation

(cash only please and no dogs)

Also plant / honey / produce stall plus the Tichborne Pottery will be open and our neighbours Raimes English Sparkling cellar door is open from 1-5pm Entry from B3046 Alresford-Cheriton road (not from Tichborne village)

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National Garden Scheme Hampshire

Now we are into May, dare we hope that those early morning frosts are a thing of the past. I certainly can’t remember an April with such a prolonged period of frosts. It amazes me how tolerant some of the plants are - apart from my ‘Alstroemeria Indian Summer” - but now that it has had a bit of a trim it is certainly looking a lot happier.

After the 17th May, pre-booked tickets are not necessary for the majority of gardens, but available for those who wish to book ahead.

June brings forth a plethora of open gardens, far too many for me to mention in a short article. I have selected a few which are within the vicinity, which you might like to visit.

Bramdean House Alresford, SO24 0JU Open: Sunday 6th June 2pm to 4pm Admission: £7.50 children free Refreshments: Home-made teas Five acres to explore, with a large and unusual collection of plants. One acre walled garden. Home to Nations tallest sunflower - Giraffe. https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/3145

Terstan Longstock, Stockbridge, SO20 6DW (also By Arrangement through May to September)

Open: Sundays 13th June, 18th July & 19th September 2pm to 5pm. Admission: £5.00 children free. Refreshments: Homemade teas. Contemporary cottage garden with constantly changing displays. Includes gravel garden, water feature, showman’s caravan & live music. https://ngs.org.uk/ view-garden/22660

Little Court Crawley, Winchester, SO21 2PU Open: 13th & 14th June 2pm to 5.30pm Admission: £5.00. Children free. Refreshments: Home-made teas in village hall. This traditional walled garden has many flower beds and climbers, a kitchen garden plus colourful bantams running free. https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/8167

I hope you find something, which suits your taste. Pat Beagley (Publicity) National Garden Scheme - Hampshire

Garden CRAFT FAIR&

Wednesday 23rd June 2021 10am to 4pm

at Upper Farm, Down Farm Lane, Headbourne Worthy, Winchester SO23 7LA

Entrance £5 PARKING AVAILABLE ON SITE www.winchestergold.org.uk Tel 01962 600 281

Flower Demonstrations – Talks – 29 Stalls Food marquee. And no dogs please!

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