Dorset gardens opening their gates for the National Garden Scheme in late summer
105 Woolsbridge Road
Plantsman's garden with paths meandering through different areas. Architectural jungle exotics, bamboos and bananas, alongside bright orange and pink day lilies. Hot gravel garden and woodland walkway provide a good contrast.
Open: August 17 & 18 (11am-4.30pm)
Where: Ashley Heath BH24 2LZ
Brook View Care Home
This large colourful garden surrounding a care home is well laid out and immaculately kept. Residents also have their own garden areas, pots and planters. Spread over two main areas, one garden is warm and sunny, the other cooler and shadier. Delightful pond area, games lawn and mixed borders, greenhouse leads to further gardens and raised beds in a courtyard.
Open: August 17 & 18 (11am-4.30pm)
Where: Riverside Road, West Moors BH22 0LQ
1C Rectory Road
With a passion for maximalist design the house and garden has been designed and built by the owner over the last five years. Both are full of objet d'art spanning centuries, there's curiosities to see in every corner. Interesting and clever use of the space, some wonderful decorative antiques and interior design pieces interspersed with tropical plants. Great fun and somewhat unusual.
Open: August 18 (11am-5pm)
Where: Poole BH15 3BH
Chantry Farm
This large garden overlooking Marnhull offers fabulous views across the valley. Divided into different sections, it surrounds a 16th century farmhouse and three renovated barns. Designed by Justin Spink, there are colourful long deeply planted borders near the house, including the traditional planting of an herbaceous border in pink and blue. By contrast the border surrounding the pool is white, lime green and blue, giving it a contemporary feel. Walled gardens, cutting and vegetable gardens. Espalier fruit trees, pleached hornbeam and weeping pears divide the areas.
Open: August 18 (1.30-5.30pm)
Where: Phillips Hill, Marnhull DT10 1NU
Folly Farm Cottage
Just down the road from The Spyway Inn, this is an established garden of around an acre with a contemporary twist. There are four connecting ‘rooms’, a main lawn with borders, ornamental trees and a wonderful rose bed, a large pond area with mature trees, grasses, golden willow and silver pear which leads on to an orchard, tennis court, greenhouse and mixed raised bed. Far reaching views of Eggardon Hill.
Open: August 24 & 25 (1-5pm)
Where: Spyway Road, Uploders DT6 4PH
Ardhurst
This is a densely planted Mediterranean style garden, full of hot plants, salvias and grasses. Seven years in the making, it has plantsman’s content and borders in reconstruction. Large vegetable area, fruit trees and water harvesting. A riot of colour in August and September, plants are for pollination and year-round interest.
Open: August 24 & 25 (1-5.30pm)
Where: Nash Lane, Marnhull DT10 1JZ
20 Wicket Road
Built around a modern terrace, this small suburban garden (18m x 13m) is on an awkward shaped plot, over a bed of clay. The clever design uses every trick in the gardening handbook to create a truly memorable space. Exhibition of the garden's history, some unusual plants, a unique 'quay' (for storing run-off water as part of a hidden drainage system) and an array of small-scale features.
Open: August 24, 25 & 26 (2-5pm)
Where: Kinson BH10 5LT
Castle Rings
Small, long garden in two parts laid out beside an Iron Age hill fort with spectacular views. As you come into the front garden you are surrounded by deep borders, a terraced area and colourfully planted pots. The garden wraps around the cottage leading to a long back garden with woodland plants. Topiary, roses and clematis on tripods.
Open: August 25 (2-5pm)
Where: Donhead St. Mary SP7 9BZ
Also opening this month:
Manor Farm, Hampreston (August 4, 1-5pm); The Hollow, Newton Road, Swanage (August 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2 – 5pm); The Old Rectory, Pulham (August 8, 2-5pm); Broomhill, Rampisham (August 8, 2-5pm); Annalal’s Gallery, Millhams Street, Christchurch (August 25, 2-4pm); 22 Avon Avenue, Avon Castle, Ringwood (August 25, 12-5pm); Black Shed, Blackmarsh Farm, Dodds Cross, Sherborne (August 25, (1-5pm); Hilltop, Stour Provost (August 11 & 18, 2- 6pm). For details on all these gardens visit ngs.org.uk
SPECIAL EVENT
Careys Secret Garden
Behind a 150-year-old wall, just outside Wareham, sits 3 ½ acres of garden in the midst of a remarkable transformation. Left untouched for more than 40 years, it is coming back to life with a focus on permaculture and rewilding. Leading this project is Simon Constantine, son of Lush Cosmetics founders Mo and Mark Constantine. It started as a lockdown project when Simon discovered this hidden walled garden in a woodland in the grounds of his parent’s new home. And so Careys Secret Garden came into being. There are well-planted flower beds, garden sculptures, a bog garden, stumpery and cafe. They also host lectures, tours, garden and art workshops as well as yoga sessions. Those with mobility issues get in touch prior to your visit so they can cater to your needs accordingly.
Opening For NGS: August 25 (11am-3pm). Pre-booking essential at careyssecretgarden.co.uk
