National Gardens Scheme providing inspiration for the soul and the senses

NGS National Gardens Scheme

I am often in catch up mode on the weekends which means I don’t pay much attention finding an oasis of pleasure in the midst of normal life admin. A few weeks ago I realised that I need to become more pro-active to find an oasis of calm by planning something in rather than relying on spontaneity or my usual lack of it.

The National Gardens Scheme which was initiated in 1927 when Elsie Wragg suggested opening gardens to fundraise for district nurses. In 1980 it became independant of the Queen’s Nursing Institute to enable a wider range of charities to be supported. The private individuals who open their gardens to the public in aid of a range of charities and include open days, openings by arrangement for groups and often includes the sale of refreshments and plants. The money raised now goes to mostly health, nursing and community based charities such as Macmillan Cancer, Hospice UK, Marie Curie and various gardening for health beneficiaries. More recently NGS has been supporting various gardening training roles and organisations such as an apprenticeship scheme at the National botanic garden of Wales and trainees on English Heritages Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme amongst others. There is more information on their website National Gardens Scheme

So a few weeks back, having planned to visit an NGS garden with my friend Sue, weather permitting of course. Our plans were thrown slightly when my friend was unable to make it. So taking my courage in both hands I checked the weather forecast and headed off to a garden about 40 minutes away from home

Thanks to the bright yellow NGS signs and the helpful information on their website I navigated to Sound Manor near Nantwich which along with The Old Byre were having an open day. A very welcoming lady directed me to a parking space and indicated a route around the gardens which wrapped around the house. 

It was lovely to be inspired by other people's hard work and creativity. At Sound Manor there were wildflowers mixed with more standard cottage garden perennials and shrubs, some more unusual offerings and a variety of habitats including a pond. I really appreciated the perennial phlox which were looking spectacular and a lovely white clematis which brightened up a couple of out of the way areas of the garden. Little nooks and crannies revealed other delights. I am more a take it as it comes gardener than a plantswoman but anything that I was not familiar with found a ready answer from the owner and volunteers. I came away with a box full of plants…. And on the way home realised the other local garden was open - with tea and cake. What’s not to like. A refreshing time out with food for the soul and the sense.

The following weekend I pencilled in another garden to visit but was so immersed in something else and totally forgot. It seems I need to work on setting some good habits and plan and remember to take myself out for a break. This weekend though I have the help of a man and a trailer and will be doing some overdue pruning.

National Garden scheme gardens have open days throughout the year. Some also open for groups by arrangement. It’s not too late in the year to visit as many will open in September.