National Garden Scheme - Compliments Of The Season

As the garden-visiting season continues, Warwickshire County Organiser Liz Watson can reflect upon a highly successful and busy year so far for the Warwickshire branch of the National Garden Scheme. Retired Rolls-Royce Aerospace engineer Liz loves opening her own Kenilworth garden where “…keeping those borders colourful up to September is my goal!”

Despite a slightly grim February start to the season with two snowdrop events, the NGS stalwarts turned out regardless of plummeting temperatures. “The Galantophiles still braved the weather to see the different varieties on show as they do every year! 2025 has been fantastic for the NGS in Warwickshire and so we want to say a huge “Thank you!” to all our visitors,” commented Liz. “With over 8000 visits so far, we’re up 12% on this time last year. Gate fees, plant and tea sales have raised over £53,900 so far.

“We know visitors like to see new gardens and the 26 we have had opening this year in Leamington, Solihull and Churchover have proved very popular, as has the large garden at Monksbridge, Kineton which we featured on our Warwickshire Booklet cover.”

Liz gratefully acknowledges those gardens which open every year, rain or shine, and understands that visitors have their own particular favourites which they explore regularly to admire changes in design or new planting. “Also, I think we should spare a thought this year for those opening after this very dry spell. We hope people will still visit to see how those gardens have coped, and which plants have survived best,” she adds.

“We love opening for the NGS!” enthuses Cedar House owner David Burbidge, looking back on his years of commitment to the charity and its vital palliative care beneficiaries. “It brings so much pleasure to visitors, helpers, and garden owners alike and is a great village effort, bringing lots of people together to raise money for a good cause. We had approximately 300 visitors and raised about £3,400 in total including the teas provided by our Village Hall team.”

The healing power of plants was showcased at Tysoe’s Safehaven by domestic abuse survivor Tarryn Henson and her son Alec, encouraged to open this July for the very first time. Designed over three gentle levels, it includes courtyard, orchard, seated sanctuary and colourful borders and is the result of 5 years’ careful nurturing.

A staggering 90% of the plants admired by visitors were rescued from the ‘reduced’ or ‘ready for the skip’ sections of various garden centres. “Somebody rescued me…and so now I rescue plants…” comments Tarryn.

Basking in the glow of “500 visitors over 2 days, and many lovely appreciative comments”, she has some heartfelt advice for anyone hesitating about opening their garden for the NGS. “Just do it!! All our fears disappeared once we saw the expression on people’s faces when they came through our gate!”

“Thank you again to all our visitors!” exclaims Liz. “Every visit, every plant purchase, every donation to the National Garden Scheme turns into something wonderful….”

For details of further openings, please visit ngs.org.uk. To discuss opening for the NGS, please contact Liz Watson on 01926 512307 / liz.watson@ngs.org.uk. Thank you.

Words & Images © Lily Farrah