My first day out with the Garden Media Guild
It was so good to return to Shropshire this week, the county of my formative years, to see two very different but rather special gardens.
The first stop was Goldstone Hall Hotel and Gardens which is an RHS partner garden in the heart of the Shropshire countryside. Owned and managed by John Cushing, whose late mother Helen Ward originally designed the garden back in 1978, it has five acres of botanical delights to explore. The cold spring meant that the rose garden and herbaceous planting were still a couple of weeks short of peak floriferousness, but it was an absolute delight to stroll around in the Monday morning sunshine.
I particularly loved this grassy pathway through the herbaceous border. Not only does it allow for abundant perennial planting, it also offers a different perspective which is perfect for both garden visitors and photographers.
The abutilon at the far end of the border attracted much attention and was the subject of a little speculation as to it’s name. A magnificent specimen and worthy of a closer look. Isn’t it just gorgeous!
The herbaceous borders were full of peonies, geraniums, and nepeta, all poised to give a fabulous summer display.
And aquilegia, one of my favourites flowers that links spring and summer so beautifully, was adding a vibrant splash of colour.
Wandering further into the garden, I found the laburnum arch, also still in full bloom, with the alliums alongside adding an extra dimension to the planting. And it was literally buzzing with happy pollinators.
After a delicious lunch with produce from the kitchen garden, the afternoon saw a convoy of assorted cars heading a few miles up the road to Wollerton Old Hall Gardens. I’ve been a regular visitor here over the past few years, but it’s always a delight to return.
The Hall itself is a 16th century Grade II* listed building and the garden was designed by John and Lesley Jenkins who have owned the property since 1983. A series of garden ‘rooms’ showcases magnificent topiary and colourful perennial planting, and it was a real treat to wander at leisure with space to appreciate the vistas.
The Rill garden changes with the seasons but in early June it was a vibrant mix of Iris ‘Tropic Night’, geraniums and alchemilla mollis.
All the iris were magnificent and what a range of colours! From the cool blues of the rill garden and surrounding borders…..
to the yellows and copper oranges of the hot border.
And the elegant Iris ‘White City’ in the main perennial border.
Talking of white flowers, the scent of the wisteria in the Well Garden was heavenly. A late flowering variety well protected by the garden wall, it had happily escaped the late frosts.
And the Shade Garden was brightened by clumps of pretty white astrantia.
This is just a quick glimpse into the early summer planting at these two beautiful Shropshire gardens. The roses are just starting to bloom and both gardens are well worth a visit over the coming weeks. Full details of opening times can be found on their respective websites.
