The National Garden Scheme along with many other charities has had a difficult two years, but thanks to public support in visiting gardens, buying plants and making generous donations, Warwickshire has still raised thousands of pounds for our nursing and palliative care beneficiaries. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our gardens again in 2022.

Liz Watson, County Organiser for Warwickshire

Founded in 1927, the NGS is now one of the most widely supported of all UK charities thanks in part to its role as principal fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carer’s Trust, the Queen’s Nursing Institute, Parkinson’s UK and Maggie’s.

Below are dates for Warwickshire NGS Spring openings. Please refer to our website at ngs.org.uk for updates, tickets and information, before visiting the gardens listed below, thank you.

APRIL

Every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday 9th and also open on Monday 18^th - Bridge Nursery, Southam, CV47 8HX. Admission £3.50, children free. Christine Martin & Philip Martino T: 01926 812737.

Clay soil? Don’t despair. Here is an acre of garden with an exciting range of plants which thrive in hostile conditions. A peaceful haven for wildlife and visitors. A visitor commented, “It is a garden that is comfortable with itself”.

Sunday 17^th - Broadacre, Grange Road, Dorridge, Solihull, B93 8QA. Open 2pm-6pm, admission £5, children free. John Woolman T: 07818 082885  www.broadacregarden.org

Dorridge’s Broadacre opens its imposing Edwardian gentleman’s estate of gently landscaped grounds and nature reserve with venerable oaks where barn owls nest, 600 year-old hedges, indigenous woodland, fruit trees in blossom and two wildflower meadows all organically managed. Giant blackthorn hedge, whose young growth attracts the brown hairstreak butterfly. Bring sensible footwear to manage the Nature Trail. Refreshments will be served at the Wisteria Wall, where a Country Markets stall will dispense jams & preserves from estate produce, and cakes galore including lemon drizzle, spice with orange icing, and a wartime fruit cake to name but a few. Craft workshop presentations.

MAY

Monday 2^nd - Earlsdon Gardens, Coventry, CV5 6FS. Open 11am-4pm. Combined admission £5, children free. Maps, tickets and refreshments at St Barbara’s Church Hall.

Ten ingeniously varied town gardens from small to more formal with interest for all tastes and showcasing ingenious use of planting in a range of settings. Deep borders, spring colours, mature trees.

Saturday 14th, 15^th, 28^th and 29^th - 6 Canon Price Road, Nursery Meadow, Barford, CV35 8EQ. Mrs Marie-Jane Roberts T: 07775 584336.

Mature garden with separate area for cut flowers, dahlias, herbs, vegetables and 19 types of fruit. Hardy perennials for sale, please bring cash. Light refreshments in the garden room.

Saturday 28^th and Sunday 29^th - Hunningham Gardens, Leamington Spa, CV33 9DS. Admission £6, children free, refreshments.

Six varied and attractive village gardens featuring orchard, parterre, woodland plants, sculpture, cottage style planting, natural pond and walled vegetable plot.

Saturday 28^th and Sunday 29^th - Ilmington Gardens, CV36 4LA. Open 12.30pm-6pm, combined admission £10, children free, homemade teas.

A cornucopia of ten enchanting and greatly varied gardens within this picturesque hillside Cotswold village.

© NGS / Lily Farrah / Warwickshire NGS

Photography credits:  Broadacre Bee orchid: C. Woolman / Earlsdon tulips against blue fence: Lily Farrah