National Garden Scheme Our Summertime Gardens Await!

Every summer, our NGS gardens open their gates to high-season visitors seeking glorious displays of planted wizardry. And to good effect. In 2025, the NGS donated a total of £3,875,596 to beneficiaries including Marie Curie, Macmillan, Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing, Carers Trust, Hospice UK and Parkinson’s UK. Gardening’s many benefits are showcased in NGS annual The Little Book of Gardens and Health, with Tysoe resident Tarryn Henson’s “Safehaven” story profiled on page 102. (bit.ly/NGSTheGreatOutdoors2026)

At Hampton Manor Walled Garden’s first ever NGS opening on 1^st and 8^th July, visitors will be welcomed with hot drinks, signature cookies and a personal tour by gardeners Caroline and Lesley, who between them have 40 years of horticultural experience.

The Walled Garden has a no-dig, cover and mulch ethic which clearly benefits its beehive residents and all 32 beds of flowers, herbs, soft fruit, and vegetables. Specialised ingredients – including berberis, magnolia, garlic mustard, flowering currants - create garnishes and sauces for the on-site Michelin-starred Grace & Savour restaurant. “When you come through the archway, you feel all that history,” comments Lesley. “We immediately felt it was special when we first came,” adds Caroline. On both Open Days, visitors will receive three take-home gifts including a gardening principles handout, a seed pouch and potted-up plant from the celebrated Hampton hollyhocks which put on such a spectacular annual show.

Giving upliftment to patients, visitors and staff are Marie Curie Hospice Gardens, Solihull. Enticing the visitor’s eye from within the Hospice public areas, the picturesque Long Border leads on to the Hospice Men’s Shed. “This was set up by and for bereaved men, who will also manage the car parking on NGS Open Day of Saturday 20^th June,” explains retired horticulture lecturer Do Connolly, now one of 23 gardening volunteers.

Strolling past densely planted beds - featuring special plants donated by BBC Gardeners World exhibitors - she reaches the Water Garden, edged by patient-room French windows, the large fountain as focal point. Onwards to the Arches Garden with rose-draped arbours, hornbeam hedge, acer, erigeron clusters, a triumphant weeping pear, and secluded seating for quieter conversation.

“Patient beds come out in all weathers, including the winter,” says Do, noticing the honey locust tree “…just coming into its beauty. A few of us absolutely love growing things, taking cuttings and sowing seeds”.  Inside the garden’s engine room are the 4-stage compost store, 10 stacked wheelbarrows, greenhouses and the “Dora’s Den” potting shed, named after a 90 year old volunteer. Beyond this point, nature takes over in the lush wildlife area, with a gunnera-fringed pond, mini-orchard and the Fairy Garden (pictured) used by the Family Bereavement Team so that children can discuss whatever they wish in this safe and enchanted setting.

For full details of openings, please visit www.ngs.org.uk. Thank you.

Words and Images © L. Farrah