If your garden is anything like mine it’s rather dry and crispy at the moment. I know that I have lost some plants and hope that the others will hang on a bit longer until we get some decent rain.

I was sorry to hear the sad news about Hestercombe Gardens going into administrative receivership, although I suspected that something was up when I was having a wander around the formal gardens during the interval of an open air play I went to on Sunday – two days after it went into receivership. An abandoned lawn mower was sat on one of the grass paths which seemed rather odd. Things haven’t been right for quite a while of course as several members of staff were laid off some months ago. I hope that the gardens will remain accessible in future but maybe visit while you still can.

Now for some more cheery news about the Somerset Group: during the summer break from our lecture programme we have enjoyed some excellent garden visits, ably organised by Katie and Sue with help from our Membership Secretary, Liz.

Back in May we had a day of self-driven garden visits to Regency House, where owner Jenny gave us a guided tour of her 5 acre garden which included a wonderful walled garden and many interesting trees and shrubs, and then on to Kia Ora in Devon where Mary Disney has created some beautiful vistas in her ten acre garden with several ponds and a wide range of mature trees and shrubs.

In June we went by coach to south Wales to visit the extraordinary garden of Anne Wareham and Charles Hawes at Veddw House in the morning. The contrast between formal clipped hedges and “wild” borders, featuring some rather thuggish plants left to fight it out was provocative and intriguing. Elsewhere, unusual plant combinations, such as silver-grey cardoons underplanted with heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ (or similar), were eye catching and exciting. At the bottom of the garden is a large flowering meadow which changed the mood but still stimulated the senses in a different way.

The afternoon visit to Mounton House near Chepstow was very different. The gardens are still being developed and restored following a long period of neglect since the original owner, architect Henry Avray Tipping, moved on. The party was split into two groups and given guided tours around the gardens. The rock garden and waterfalls have been reproduced in the garden from the “originals” which Avray Tipping built further along the valley in the early 19th century. Beautiful herbaceous borders run beneath the wall adjoining the terrace, along the front of the house, and are filled with artfully arranged plant combinations. The terraces to the side of the house feature pergolas supporting clematis and other climbers, and a formal pond surrounded by dieramas. There are further herbaceous borders flanking the croquet lawn where a garden building in Arts and Crafts medieval style, newly restored, provided aerial views.

Mid July provided Somerset group members with a real treat: a self drive visit to Honeyhurst Farm in Rodney Stoke and then on to Babbs Farm near Highbridge. Honeyhurst Farm was filled with an abundance of colour from the well grown and maintained plants, despite the continued drought and unbearably hot week just passed. Owner Kathy gave us a guided tour and explained how the garden had developed and we all talked plants throughout! Kathy is a keen propagator and many of us purchased unusual plants seen growing in the garden to take home with us.

We then moved on to Babbs Farm where owner Sue is still expanding the planted areas and has recently installed a beautiful “plant palace” for her treasured salvias to live in through the winter. The Italianate area is more mature now and features lavenders, olive trees and grasses. There is also a woodland area with ferns and other shade lovers, plus two ponds – formal and natural, herbaceous borders, and an area with box edging within a walled and high hedges enclosure with cornus alternifolia trees planted within the box squares, surrounded by irises and veronicastrum.

The summer has also seen the Group running our second Summer Plant Fair at Batcombe House which went very well with the garden opening having a record turn out of visitors. The gardens were looking absolutely stunning although I had little time to enjoy them fully! Valuable funds were raised once again which will enable the Group to keep membership fees to the current low level. This event was followed a fortnight later by the plant swap and tea hosted by our publicity officer Kay in her garden in Street. Unfortunately the timing must have been difficult for members as it wasn’t as well supported as usual. Our thanks go to Kay nonetheless.

Looking ahead to September, we have our final visit of the season, on the 9th, to Knoll Gardens, Wimbourne and Compton Acres in Poole. More information about this coach visit, which will include a pick up from Wincanton, can be found on the Somerset HPS website. Please book your place(s) on the coach as soon as you can.

Our lecture meetings resume on 20 September when we have Chris Smith coming to talk on “The Edible Garden”. The September meeting is also our 50/50 plant sale. If you wish to bring plants to sell please read the notes on the “Programme” page of the website about how to label them. Every year I find plants incorrectly labelled which makes it difficult for me to tot up the proceeds owed to sellers quickly and easily afterwards so that they get their money after the lecture. Whilst I appreciate that my system might not be the one you favour, I would greatly appreciate your co-operation with following the process as described. Plants for sale need to arrive between 9.30am and 10.00am and selling takes place from 10.00am to 11.00am.

Finally, I hope that you have found time to complete our brief online survey about the proposed national HPS membership fee increases. As the trustees have just met to discuss feedback from members we have already passed on the views of those of our members who responded. However we would still be interested in hearing from you if you are yet to complete the survey.

I would like to reassure our Group members that no decisions have been made yet regarding the future of the Group and this will await the final decision of HPS members at the upcoming AGM and become a topic for discussion at our Group AGM.

Jane Hunt

Alison and Andrew Johnson Take the Helm of Iconic English Cottage Garden

EAST LAMBROOK, SOMERSET — East Lambrook Manor Gardens, one of England’s most treasured cottage gardens and the spiritual home of the English cottage gardening style created by Margery Fish, is delighted to announce its new owners, Alison and Andrew Johnson.

Originally from Cheshire and recently relocated from Seattle, USA, the Johnsons bring with them a wealth of horticultural experience and a deep love of traditional English gardens. With decades of gardening creation and restoration expertise between them, Alison and Andrew are committed to preserving the unique character of East Lambrook while sensitively restoring and enhancing areas of the garden.

“We are incredibly honoured to become the new custodians of this historic and magical place,” said Alison Johnson. “East Lambrook Manor Gardens is a living work of art and we feel a great responsibility to carry forward the legacy of Margery Fish.”

The Johnsons’ plans include careful restoration of historic plantings, expansion of the garden’s borders in keeping with Margery’s design ethos, and the development of new areas that complement the existing style and spirit of the garden.

Andrew Johnson added, “Our vision is to gently evolve the garden, maintaining its integrity while allowing it to flourish into the future. We’re excited to welcome both long-time admirers and new visitors.”

Opening days and hours remain unchanged, and the gardens will continue to be open to the public as usual. Garden lovers can still enjoy the tranquil pathways, rare and historic plants, and the atmosphere that has made East Lambrook a beloved destination for generations.

For more information, please visit: www.eastlambrook.com

Media Contact:

Email: Alison@eastlambrook.com

Phone: 07835269165

If you fancy a trip to see two fabulous gardens, now is the time to book (details at the bottom)

Thursday 17th July

Self drive visits to Honeyhurst Farm, Rodney Stoke and Babbs Farm,
Highbridge

Honeyhurst Farm Rodney Stoke near Cheddar (NGS page)

We will meet at 11:00 at Honeyhurst Farm which is a 2-3 acre part walled rural garden with a babbling brook and 4 acre cider orchard with splendid views.

The garden has specimen hollies, copper beach, paulownia, yew and poplar. There are mixed informal shrub and perennial beds with many unusual plants. 

We will be offered tea/coffee and biscuits during our visit.

Babbs Farm near Highbridge (NGS page)

We will then visit Babbs Farm at 14:00, a 1.5 acre plantsman’s garden on the Somerset levels, which has been gradually created out of fields surrounding old farmhouse over last 30 years and still being developed.

Trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials planted for an eye for their form and shape in big flowing borders. The many unusual salvias are the highlight for this garden.

We will be offered tea and cake whilst at Babbs Farm

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This trip must be pre-booked with Penny Berry via email: p.berry487@btinternet.com or phone: 01278 662720.  The booking form is available here.

The Garden at Bedrock Barn, Brompton Ralph TA4 2RT is open on Sunday 18th May from 2.00 to 5.00 in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice.

A 2 acre garden of trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders with 3 ponds and a lovely wildflower meadow. Plants for sale.