A reminder of the Self drive visits to a nursery and 2 gardens near Wincanton

Thursday 12th September

Our final visits of 2024 are just over a week away and there are still a few places available.  The self-drive day has a rather different format than our usual one, with 2 gardens in the afternoon after an optional visit to a nursery where we have been invited to picnic in their display garden. 

The Blooming Wild nursery, as seen in our HPS nursery list, is just south of Wincanton and has been under new management since 2022.  Steven and Lindsay Lister hold an enthusiasm for wild plants combined with naturalistic planting.  They have a solid base in Horticulture and had been growing wildflowers as ‘PlantWild” but have now expanded into herbaceous perennials and Grasses.  They are kindly offering us a 10% discount on purchases mae by HPS members on the day.

We then proceed a short distance down the road to the gardens at Forest Lodge just east of Wincanton at 2.00pm.  This 3 acre mature country garden opens out to the surrounding farmland and landscape.  One of the features that sets the garden apart is the amphitheatre effect of the concentric circles of terracing towards the South West which give stunning views across the Blackmoor Vale.  The garden is on acidic greensand with a similar pH to nearby Stourhead Gardens and in addition to interesting perennials there is an enviable collection of ornamental trees.  The garden plans are based loosely on some of the Arts & Crafts gardens created by Lutyens and Jekyll, with more formal borders around the house.   We will be offered tea and cake at the end of our visit.

We then go just over the border into Wiltshire to Gasper Cottage just off the A303.  This is a good contrast to Forest Lodge with its secluded country garden surrounding the classic thatched cottage.  The garden extends to about 1.5 acres and also has glorious views.  Thoughtful colour combinations have been developed in the different areas of the garden and there are luxurious plantings of dahlias, grasses, asters, cardoons and other late summer specialities.  Many tender plants are also bedded out each year for that extra sizzle and wow factor. A perennial meadow hosts an orchard and a nascent forest garden with wildlife pond.  The owner’s art studio is in a secret garden with exuberant planting and a sophisticated formal pond.

The charge is £22 per person.  To book please contact Penny Berry p.berry487@btinternet.com or phone: 01278 662720.  Penny deals strictly with bookings only, so if you have any queries about a trip or event, please contact Kate Harris at nunnington@aol.com

Kate Harris, Higher Nunnington Farm, Wiveliscombe TA4 2AE