National Treasure

The weekend of the 7th & 8th June was the Festival Weekend of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) when hundreds of private gardens around the country opened their gates to the public. The opportunity to take a relaxed stroll around nine gardens open in one nearby Lincolnshire village was too much to resist and turned out to be an enjoyable way to spend a sunny afternoon.

The NGS has, over the course of several decades, raised tens of millions of pounds for charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support. Organised by volunteers, enabled by garden owners and supported by visitors it amounts to an impressive collective effort, with small donations ultimately leading to big results.

Gardeners are often attributed with a generosity of spirit and it was not hard to see as we made our way from garden to garden. No sooner had one owner overheard an admiring comment about a fine looking astrantia than she was descending upon it with trowel in hand insisting we take some home.

It dawned on me that there is such a wealth of gardening knowledge tucked away out of site in a thousand gardens across the country. Many would, even after 40 years of green fingered activity, profess to be ‘just’ amateurs with limited knowledge but who would in fact put many professionals to shame. Some are actively involved in trials of new flower and vegetable varieties for commercial seed companies and therefore very much part of new horticultural developments. All are keen to chat and share what they know like some vast hive brain.

One striking aspect of an open garden event is that it feels like a privilege to be allowed into these usually private realms. Apart from the effort that has clearly been made to make sure everything is looking good, it is often the little objects and ornaments dotted around that really add a sense of personality and individuality to the gardens. Whether it’s an old plough lurking in the corner, a contemporary bird feeder hanging from a tree or a row of identical pots placed to artistic affect.

For those in search of ideas for their own garden a few NGS visits would be a good place to start. What to do with the ‘dead’ space under that enormous conifer? Is that hidden corner really big enough for a sitting area? What is the best depth for a border? What type of water feature would look nice? You will find some answers to all of these questions and more. And of course there are many new plants to discover.

If you missed the Festival Weekend, don’t worry as you will find gardens opening near you throughout the summer. Just visit the NGS website – www.ngs.co.uk