Growing Inspiration
NGS gardens are a wonderful source of ideas for a productive garden, either for fruit and veg for the table, or flowers for the house. An added bonus is that there is often produce for sale at garden openings
A runner-bean arch, step-over apple trees and formal rose circle (by Rosemary Verey) make you want to explore this lovely garden. Herbaceous borders, a woodland walk and a pond guarantee a successful visit. Photograph: Brian & Nina Chapple
The topiary and mixture of vegetables and plants in this walled kitchen garden are magnifi cent. Five acres in the Lincolnshire fens offer knot garden, rose garden and lime walk; orchard, Italian garden and more.Photograph: Rosalind Simon
Small, raised beds are a popular design for a productive garden and are used to good effect at Greenacre. This large garden on the edge of Ribble Valley is colour phased throughout the year, with a late-summer wow factor. Original sculpture in a woodland setting adds another dimension. A continually evolving garden. Photograph: Fiona Lea
This lovely mill garden on the banks of the infant Thames is one for adults and children to enjoy, with a formal, walled garden, cottage garden, raised vegetable beds, pond, an island garden bordered by mill race, apple orchard and woodland walk. There’s an 8-acre fi eld full of donkeys and chickens, and a playground. Photograph: Mandy Bradshaw
Willow looks wonderful as an edging medium or container in both the productive and fl ower garden. This magnifi cent 20-acre colourful garden has a sweeping hydrangea drive, herbaceous walled garden, potager with vegetables and picking fl owers; three lakes in a valley planted with ornamental grasses, perennials and South African fl owers. A ‘must see’ for all-seasons colour. Photograph: Brian & Nina Chapple
These magnificent allotments are such an inspiration to get digging. There are over 100 individual plots growing a variety of fl owers, fruit and vegetables. A mixture of modern, well-known, heritage and unusual vegetables, many not seen in supermarkets!
An overflowing cottage garden, with a rose tunnel, wildlife pond and circular vegetable garden edged with lavender and sage. A wild fl ower spiral entered through arches of roses and clematis adds to this pretty garden. An added bonus is the opportunity to visit the other lovely gardens in this group.