This weekend sees the highlight of a charity open gardens season as 18 green fingered supporters open their gardens to the public to raise money for the local hospice.
The Great Garden Trail has been running since April and has already seen 60 gardens open to the public so people can enjoy their beauty, gain inspiration for their own gardens and raise money for St Elizabeth Hospice.
Brian Taylor, fundraising co-ordinator for St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “We’ve had so many wonderful gardens open over the last few weeks to help raise money for the hospice and we’re all looking forward a bumper weekend of open gardens this Saturday and Sunday. There’s plenty for people to see from small cottage plots to acres of beauty at grand halls. There really is something for everyone to enjoy.
“The donations we receive from entries to these gardens go a long way to ensuring we’re here for people when they need us to assist them with end of life care. I’d like to thank everyone that has opened up their garden for us as well as those that have taken the time to visit and, with over 100 gardens to explore over the course of The Great Garden Trail, the money raised is going to make a huge difference to patients at the hospice.”
Saturday
On Saturday, enjoy stunning views over the River Stour as you explore the garden at Spinners Lodge in Brantham. This garden features a herb garden, wildlife pond, herbaceous borders and a vegetable garden. The patio features a magnificent display of 40 types of fuchsia and an explosion of colourful geraniums. Tickets are priced at £3 each for adults with children under 16 attending for free.
Saturday and Sunday
This Saturday and Sunday, Shelley Open Gardens will showcase three beautiful plots which include acres of rural landscaped garden with over 70 varieties of trees and shrubs. They also include vegetable gardens, lawns, mixes borders, roses, ponds and a wildflower meadow. Afternoon tea and plants will also be available to purchase. Entry cost £5 for adults.
Hemingstone Hall rarely opens its garden to the public but this weekend opens on both Saturday and Sunday in support of the hospice. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the stunning summer planting, large herbaceous borders, a rose garden, wildflower area and woodland. Tea, coffee and cakes will be available to purchase and tickets are prices at £4 per adult.
Across the weekend, a small cottage garden in Bawdsey will also be opening to share its mixed boarder and vegetable plots with visitors. The studio of sculpture and mixed media artist Mark Dovey will also open with an exhibition. Donations to the hospice are requested for entry.
Sunday
On Sunday, five residents in Felixstowe will be opening up their gardens with some surprising and eclectic features on show. Refreshments including teas, cakes and savouries will be available to purchase along with plants from Katie’s Garden. Entry to Felixstowe Open Gardens costs £4 per adult with children under 16 entering for free.
Also on Sunday is the opportunity to explore the Gardens for Anne in Benhall where a variety of six local gardens will open their gates. Visitors will wander round gorgeous borders, delve under rose arches and reflect by ponds while admiring a stunning array of plants, trees and shrubs. Tickets are priced at £4 for adults and refreshments and plants will be available to purchase.
Finally on Sunday, Creek Cottage in Orford will be opening to host a garden party in aid of the hospice. Visitors will enjoy live music from the Nick Raison Jazz Band and meet celebrities who will sign books for a donation. There will also be a Tesla electric car on show for people to have a test ride in. Refreshments will be available to purchase along with raffle tickets. Donations are requested for entry.
Find out more
For further details of all the gardens open this weekend across east Suffolk, click here.
The Great Garden Trail continues until the end of July.