September gardens to savour

Lead image: Liz Mitchell

Although the first blooms of summer are behind us there is still plenty to look forward to with the National Garden Scheme. We have fabulous late summer gardens waiting for your visit. Click the links at the bottom of the page for gardens opening throughout September or read on for a taster:

Our CEO, George Plumptre’s top picks:

The Old Rectory, Pulham, Dorset is 4 acres of formal and informal gardens surrounding an 18th century rectory with splendid views. Yew pyramid allées and hedges, circular herbaceous borders with late summer colour. Exuberantly planted terrace, purple and white beds. Box parterres, mature trees, pond, sheets of daffodils, tulips, glorious churchyard, ha-ha, pleached hornbeam circle. Enchanting bog garden with stream and islands.
Opens by arrangement to end of September for details CLICK HERE

Batcombe House, Somerset is a plantswoman’s and designer’s garden of two parts – one a riot of colour through kitchen terraces, potager leading to wildflower orchard; the other a calm contemporary amphitheatre with large herbaceous borders and interesting trees and shrubs. Always changing. Dogs are welcome on a lead. On 14th June Somerset Hardy Plant Society are holding a Plant Fair with many top nurseries selling interesting plants.
Opens 6 Sept and by arrangement to 19 September. For details CLICK HERE

: Batcombe by Eva Nemeth

Coton Manor, Northamptonshire is a 10 acre garden set in peaceful countryside with old yew and holly hedges and extensive herbaceous borders, containing many unusual plants. One of Britain’s finest throughout the season, the garden is at its most magnificent in September and is an inspiration as to what can be achieved in late summer. Adjacent specialist nursery with over 1000 plant varieties propagated from the garden.
Opens Saturday 13 September. For details CLICK HERE

More gardens to explore:

: The Old Vicarage, West Sussex

The Old Vicarage, Washington, West Sussex (pictured above) has gardens of 3½ acres set around 1832 Regency house (not open). The front is formally laid out with topiary, wide lawn, mixed border and contemporary water sculpture. The rear features new and mature trees from C19, herbaceous borders, water garden and stunning uninterrupted views of the North Downs. The Japanese garden with waterfall and pond leads to a large copse, stream, treehouse and stumpery. A great garden to explore for all the family – and it’s on the South Downs Way too so the perfect place to pause on a longer walk.
Opens every Thursday until 2 October and By Arrangement. Pre-booking essential for details CLICK HERE

Highfield Farm, Gwent is a celebration of plants. There are over 1400 cultivars, with many rarities, densely planted over three acres and set within the majestic Monmouthshire landscape. It offers an exuberant display across the seasons, providing an intimate, immersive experience with a diverse array of herbaceous, shrubs and trees.
Opens Sunday 14 September, for details CLICK HERE

: Jervaulx Hall and Manor Farm Dorset

Kotimaki, Heathfield, East Sussex is a large creatively planted garden featuring a long double border within yew hedging, rockery, shade garden, exotic garden, pot garden, wildflower meadows, and kitchen garden. Emphasis on continuity of interest via imaginative mixed plantings of shrubs, climbers, perennials, bulbs, annuals and self-sowers; plus a varied collection of wisterias trained as shrubs, on trellis work, and on a pergola.
Opens – pre-booking essential – Saturday 6 September and Saturday 4 October, for details CLICK HERE

Furzelea, Essex is a country garden of just under an acre designed, planted and maintained by the owners over time to showcase the seasons with colour, scent, and form. Paths lead through archways and box hedging to lawns and flower beds amassed with seasonal planting of shrubs, roses, and herbaceous perennials, bulbs and dahlias. Tulips, salvias and grasses of particular interest along with many unusual plants.
Opens Sunday 21 September, for details CLICK HERE

Jervaulx Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire is an 8 acre garden adjacent to ruins of Jervaulx Abbey and inc Abbey Mill ruins with views of River Ure. Mixed borders and beds, croquet lawn, parterre, glasshouse. A small vegetable garden and fernery. Magnificent older trees and woodland areas with choice trees and shrubs planted in last ten years, inc magnolia, acer, Sorbus and Betula. Growing collection of contemporary sculptures.
Opens Wednesday 17 September, for details CLICK HERE