GARDENS The local NGS gardens

Here comes and sun. And along with it, we hope, a relaxation of lockdown restrictions. Though it’s likely that many restrictions will remain in place for a number of month yet, one of the more likely candidates for summer entertainment is the ability to attend NGS garden openings. Held in the fresh air, usually in larger gardens and well-suited for accommodating social distancing, visiting a garden will allow you to enjoy spring time whilst raising money for charity and admiring some of the area’s brightest and most beautiful gardens. “The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – we are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. We fund projects which promote gardens and gardening as therapy,” say the charity’s Lucy Hirst. “We also support charities doing amazing work in gardens and health and grant bursaries to help community gardening projects. Our funding also supports the training of gardeners and offers respite to horticultural workers who have fallen on difficult times. Rutland gardener, Sarah Furness, comments that: “The pandemic has demonstrated just how important outdoor space is and any gardener will know how precious and therapeutic spending time in it is.” The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales, and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake. Over the page, we’re highlighting a few of the area’s loveliest gardens, opening to the public over the next couple of months. Please note our information is correct at time of going to press, but subject to change... we recommend checking before you set off! >>

Left: In May, The Old Vicarage, Burley will delight visitors with its stunning avenue of wisteria, lime walk, productive walled garden and spring planting.

The Old Vicarage, Whissendine.

The Old Hall...

25th April in Market Overton, LE15 7PL

Set on a southerly ridge, The Old Hall in Market Overton used to be an arable farm. It is now is the garden of Mr and Mrs Tim and Stefa Hart... or rather Mrs Hart, since Stefa and Tim enjoy a friendly(-ish) rivalry concerning which garden – this one, or the one in the curtilage of their country house hotel, Hambleton Hall – has the finer grounds. Stone walls and yew hedges divide the garden into enclosed areas with herbaceous borders, shrubs, and young and mature trees. There are interesting plants flowering most of the time. In 2020 a Japanese Tea House was added at the bottom of the garden. Bursting herbaceous borders in spring give way to a garden rich in colour and texture, arranged over four beautiful and distinct levels. An additional bonus for visitors is the availability of cakes and other sweet treats from Hambleton Bakery, the hotel’s sister company. n 98

The Old Vicarage...

16th May in Burley on the Hill, LE15 7SU

The Old Vicarage at Burley on the Hill is a relaxed country garden, planted for year round interest and colour, owned by Jonathan & Sandra Blaza. There are lawns and borders, a lime walk, rose gardens and a sunken rill garden with an avenue of standard wisteria. The walled garden produces fruit, herbs, vegetables and cut flowers. There are two orchards, an acer garden and areas planted for wildlife including woodland, a meadow and a pond. To the east and west of the herb garden are two pairs of cutting beds, planted with spring and summer bulbs, annuals, perennials (peonies, phlox, euphorbia, wallflowers). The vine-house sits against the south facing wall and is home to permanent plantings of grapes, peaches and nectarines, with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers added in the summer. n

The Old Vicarage (2!)...

30th May in Whissendine, LE15 7HG

Adjacent to St Andrew’s Curch in the village of Whissendine, and owned by Rutland’s Prof Peter and Dr Sarah Furness, The old Vicarage is packed with variety. Terrace with topiary, a formal fountain courtyard and raised beds backed by gothic orangery. Herbaceous borders surround main lawn. Wisteria tunnel leads to raised vegetable beds and large ornate greenhouse, four beehives, Gothic hen house plus rare breed hens. Hidden white walk, unusual plants. New Victorian style garden room. Featured on the programme BBC Gardeners’ World in 2019. In late spring and early summer, Sarah’s ‘flame border’ is a riot of colour and the large borders surrounding the couple’s lawn have been designed in conjunction with Bunny Guinness. May is an especially ideal month to visit with lots of peonies and the first flushes of climbing roses which provide a lovely light scent during late summer afternoons. n

Exton Hall. Redhill Lodge.

The Old Hall, Market Overton.

Redhill Lodge...

4th June in Barrowden, LE15 8EN

Barrowden’s Redhill Lodge is owned by professional garden designers Richard and Susan Moffitt. The Rutland garden measures 70m x 40m out of a five-acre garden and has rich clay with a climate that is sunny, exposed and subject to strong winds. Bold contemporary design with formal lawns, grass amphitheatre and turf viewing mound, herbaceous borders & rose garden. Prairie style planting showing vibrant colour in late summer. Also natural swimming pond surrounded by Japanese style planting, bog garden with planting like japonica and hostas plus a variety of fernery. Construction of the house adjacent to the garden began in 2007 and in addition to the rill, contemporary sculptures and amphitheatre, there’s also a range of traditional English planting that provides both a country garden look as well as breathtaking landscaping. n

Dr Sarah Furness of The Old Vicarage.

Exton Hall, Exton...

4th July, on Cottesmore Road, Exton LE15 8AN

Zara and Harry Campden in August 2017 began to transform the grounds of their country property, Exton Hall. The couple have drawn on historic garden design influences to enhance the extensive parklands, lawns, specimen trees and shrubs, lake, private chapel and C19 house (not open). Pinetum, woodland walks, lakes, ruins, dovecote and formal herbaceous garden. The idea was to create a spacious, uncluttered garden layout that related to the proportions of the hall and its setting, but which retained a simplicity to enhance the beauty but not compete. There are just two large rectangular borders of ornamental planting in the centre of the lawns. These were intended to be a pair of large tapestry panels rolled out in front of the hall, like exuberant carpets of floral embroidery, in effect they are inverted parterres and look absolutely magnificent against the backdrop of the property. n

The Old Hall, Market Overton.

The NGS handbook 2021, which lists all the gardens opening across England will be published as Pride goes to press and is available to order online at ngs.org.uk...

Select local gardens will be opening in the Rutland area at twilight in June. These include Redhill Lodge Barrowden (Friday 4th June, 6pm-9pm) and The Old Vicarage Burley (Wednesday 23rd June, 6pm-9pm). See www.ngs.org.uk for details.

1. Primrose: The primrose’s common name comes from the Latin ‘prima rosa,’ meaning ‘first rose.’ They can flower from as early as December in mild years, appearing all the way through the spring until May. n

4. Bluebell: In April and May, our ancient woodlands are awash with the much-loved, nodding heads of Bluebells. Many bulbs can exist in just one wood, giving rise to the ‘blue carpets’ that are a springtime joy. n

6. Cowslip: Formerly a common plant of traditional hay meadows, and woodlands it has declined in numbers. The name means ‘cow-slop’ (i.e. cowpat), in reference to its meadow habitat! n

8. Marsh Marigold: The large, golden flowers of marsh-marigold look like the cups of kings, hence its other name: ‘kingcup.’ They favour damp places and grow in ponds, marshes, damp meadows, ditches and woodland. n 2. Cuckooflower: Cuckooflower, also commonly known as ‘Lady’s smock,’ is a pretty, springtime perennial of damp, grassy places. Its pale pink flowers bloom from April to coincide with the arrival of the first cuckoo. n

10 LOCAL SPRING FLOWERS TO ENJOY

Rutland & Stamford’s verges, hedgerows and woodland are rich in wild flowers, here are our ten favourite species to look out for this spring...

Words: Rachel Shaw.

9. Wood Sorrel: A delicate, small plant of woodlands and hedgerows, Wood Sorrel has distinctive, trefoil leaves and white flowers with purple veins; both fold up at night. n 3. Dog Violet One of our most familiar wild violets common as the ‘county flower’ of Lincolnshire. Found in woodlands, grasslands and pastures, look for its pansy-like, flowers. n

5. Wood Anemone: The wood anemone is named after the Greek wind god, Anemos, who sent his namesakes, the anemones, in early spring to herald his coming. n

7. Lesser Celandine: Lesser celandine is a common spring flower in woodland and hedgerows, where its flowers can carpet an area between March and May. One of the first spring flowers to bloom, and nectar source for insects. n

10. Wild Garlic: Also known as ramsons, wild garlic has rounded clusters of star-like, white flowers borne on straight green stems. But perhaps its most distinctive feature is the strong garlicky scent. n