Wessington

Garden Archive

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Note: The most recent event is shown at the top of the page, the oldest at the bottom.

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2023 Visits

Wednesday 1st March - Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum, Alnwick
Sunday 23rd April - Harrogate Flower Show
Wednesday 3rd May - Alnwick Gardens
Wednesday 7th June - Thornton Hall Gardens, Darlington
Wednesday 5th July - Annual Trip: Floors Castle, Kelso
Wednesday 2nd August - Seaton Deleval Hall, Whitley Bay
Wednesday 6th September - Wynyard Gardens and Hardwick Hall, Billingham
Wednesday 4th October - Wallington Hall and Gardens, near Morpeth

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HARROGATE FLOWER SHOW Sunday April 23rd💐🌷
What a fabulous way to spend a Sunday with family and friends at the flower show. The usual wonderful flower displays and stalls selling everything required to make our gardens beautiful. It was good to see everyone and the journey to and from Harrogate in the luxury coach provided by Gardiners with their excellent driver Paul was very much appreciated.
Some photos from Sally.

Harrogate Flower Show - Cheers! Harrogate Flower Show - Flower Model The Coronation Throne!

It was certainly a bonus to have good weather with sunshine as we were all expecting to get a little bit wet sometime throughout the course of the day.

Sally
24/04/23

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March Visit 2023
HOWICK HALL, GARDENS AND ARBORETUM🌹💐
Although we were dubious about the weather today it turned out better than we thought. We missed the rain and even had some sunshine!!
The glorious snowdrops were out in abundance as well as there being lots of colour from other plants and bushes.
The hall was beautiful and interesting. Loved the chandeliers.
We can recommend the quaint café. The food was delicious. Altogether a great day out.

Snowdrops Beautiful Rhodies Vibrant Rhodies The Experts
The Quaint Café The Fabulous Chandelier Howick Hall and Gardens

Sally
02/03/23

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2022 Visits

October Visit
The gardens group visited Bradley Gardens on Tuesday 4th October.
Due to various reasons only a few members could make it today but it was well worth the visit to see the beautiful colours of autumn.
As always a coffee break was needed and the lovely café/restaurant did not disappoint.
Then on route home a quick visit to Little Ollies garden centre and bargain shop.
The weather was kind and unseasonably warm which was a bonus.

Bradley Hall Gardens 1 Bradley Hall Gardens 2

This was our last visit of 2022.

Sally

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2018

Alnwick Garden

The September Gardens visit to Alnwick Gardens was thoroughly enjoyed by the small group who went. We saw the Grand Cascade perform during a coffee break. We then meandered the pathways visiting the Walled Garden; Rose Garden, Cherry Orchard and finally the Poison Garden.

We also saw "There But Not There" which are life sized iconic silhouettes of First World War soldiers commemorating the centenary of the end if WW1 in 1918. Very moving. It is a number of years since my last visit and was amazed how the garden has grown and matured.

Jen Ford

Capheaton Walled Garden

More than a dozen members visited this garden on Sunday 12 August as it was open as part of the NGS. This hidden gem had most people curious about it. The view of the Northumbrian countryside from the house was worth the drive alone.

The outstanding feature is the very productive walled garden with its unusual colourful vegetables like purple beans, blue potatoes, yellow courgettes. The espaliered apple and pear trees had an abundance of fruit ready to be picked. There were very tempting ripe raspberries on the raspberry canes, peas, squash. In fact many varieties of vegetables and fruit. In the green house we saw gourds, pumpkins, peaches, grapes and many varieties of tomatoes .

After an enjoyable tea and cake we took in the views and sat in the C 18 Conservatory before heading home.

This visit was a change from gardens mainly with perennials, shrubs and trees.
Thanks everyone who came and supported the group
Jen Ford.

Dobbies Ponteland

The Gardens Group belatedly began its 2018 programme in April with a visit to Dobbies Ponteland. Over two dozen enthusiastic members gathered to once again listen to a fascinating and informative talk given by Paul. It was full of tips, details about plant location, feeding as well as lots of advice.

After a challenging winter let's hope 2018 is a good gardening year both in our own gardens and visits we have planned.

I think we all came away inspired as well as with less money in our pockets than we went in with!!

Thanks everyone for your support, Jen Ford

2017

July, Birkhead Secret Gardens near Sunniside
See also September 2015

June, Thornton Hall Gardens

The Gardens Group's June visit was to this exquisite absolutely magnificent garden . I spent my whole visit saying WOW and being blown away by the variety of colour and the  sheer beauty of nature at its absolute best. Can't believe the owner only started  this in 1995! 
This garden is a gem. I have never seen borders like there. No report would do these gardens justice.
Almost a score of Gardens members went including two new members, great to welcome you. Lovely weather helped. A photographer's paradise. I was in it like everyone who went.
Enjoy the photos.
Jen Ford

May, Wynyard Hall

The Gardens Group visited Wynyard Walled Garden. Enough members went to gain group entry price. Too early for the roses but other flowers added some colour to the garden.  We also went in the newly opened greenhouse which had not many plants but lots of very expensive but quality gifts. The wisteria was beautiful as it climbed a sheltered wall. Quite a cold day but when finally the sun came through warmth returned.
The coffee shop was popular both before and after our garden visit. The food is of a very high standard. 
Jen Ford

March, Crook Hall

2016

October, Dobbies

The Gardens Group were treated to a most informative talk by Paul at Dobbies, Ponteland.
He gave us lots of top tips for how to prepare our gardens for winter and plants for autumn colour.
there were lots of lovely plants he showed us and many of the group then bought some of the plants he recommended especially when Garden Club members had 28% off. There were many full boots in cars when they left!!
For those of you who were unable to go or didn't take notes here are just a few.

Some of Paul's Tips

This is the worst time of year for moss on lawns until January so put the lawn feed, moss killer on.
As the soil is not too cold it is the best time for putting in plants.
Slugs are in the ground at the moment (as it has been dry ) SO put the pellets down or Growing Success which is an organic killer which does not affect bird life but kills slugs.

Sedam alpine is frost hardy and is low growing unlike the other sedams. (Gives good autumn colour)
Chilli Pepper plant is colourful for autumn- yellow. When frost comes harvest thechillis. the plant will keep3 years if it is brought indoors for the winter .
Cut heathers back hard after flowering. 50% off the top. same with lavenders. Stops them becoming too woody.
Flowering bushes like camelia still need to be fed and watered throughout the winter so they will give a good show of flowers when they bloom.
Still need to feed plants which produce berries.
Buy primulas now so they can grow lots of roots and will be large plants come spring.

I will take some notes to the November Monthly meeting.

September, Cragside
The September outing saw the group visit Cragside's Formal Garden. We joined the informative and very interesting talk about the formal Garden. The garden was ablaze with colour. The dahlias in particular were at their best. Amazing to think that this garden is only tended by one gardener. We can't complain about doing our gardens after seeing this one!!!

August, Wynyard Hall
Thoroughly enjoyed the Garden Group visit to Wynyard Hall Rose Garden yesterday. Beautiful gardens plus an excellent coffee shop. Many thanks to Eileen Smith who organised this on behalf of Jen Ford.
Sandy Smith

July, Newby Hall

June, Herterton House
This visit was on Friday 10th June as the garden is not open on Tuesdays. We also had a light lunch en-route as the garden does not have a café.
Although it was an overcast and quite coolish day for June (where is summer?) we were treated to a most fantastic and unique garden.
The custodian (as he has leased it from the National Trust) was Frank Lawley and his wife Marjorie. They began the garden in 1977 so almost 40 years ago. To say it is a labour of love is an understatement, it is a lifetime's labour of love. Seeing how they began in photos displayed in the Gazebo is mind blowing. They did and still do (despite very advancing years) do all the gardens themselves. We all came away thinking we will never moan again having to cut the lawn or pull the weeds.

They have organised their acre into 4 gardens. The nursery garden where plants are brought on, the patterned garden with small hedging and garden is also divided by hedging areas into colours of the plants many deriving from a few hundreds of years ago. The physic garden was so peaceful as it all was. Finally the topiary still cut and so well by this quite elderly gentleman.

A hidden gem, an amazing and unique garden. Just wow. What do you say. The flowers were magnificent. A visit which will long be remembered by those of the garden group who went. I'm sure for most people they will go again.
Jen Ford

2016 April, Whickham Community Garden
During coffee in The Orangery we were treated to watching the fascinating video about the restoration of the Gardens after which Dave Peacock who was and still is the driving force behind the garden talked to us and answered many questions as we wandered around this amazing garden. The spring flowers were so colourful on what was a cold and drizzly morning. So much to see in such a small secluded garden. The peacefulness of it only a short distance from the busy main road through Whickham.
Thanks to Judith Humphries for organising the visit.

2015

September - Birkheads Secret Gardens

Birkheads Secret Garden was the venue for our well attended September Garden Group visit. Birkheads was created from a field by the present owners Christine & Mike Liddle, professional garden designers. Christine is the obsessive plantswoman and Mike, whose main interests are photography & food, runs the coffee shop.
Christine took time out to show us around her delightful gardens, where the evidence of her hard work and dedication were there for us all to appreciate and enjoy. Officially the first visit of Autumn, we managed to wander through the gardens in dry, occasionally sunny weather – the rain waited until we were inside enjoying a light lunch. Christine was always on hand to answer questions and guide us to the wide range of hardy plants in the nursery.
Judith Humphries

August - Raby Castle

There was a good turn out for the visit to Raby Castle gardens. It was quite a windy day but the 3 walled gardens provided shelter and an array of summer colour from the herbaceous borders. The two huge yew hedges were a sight to behold. We also saw a fig tree, which was brought to Raby in 1786 in its own glass house.
Surprisingly many of the group had not been to the Raby estate before and took the opportunity to visit the castle which proved to be well worth a visit.

June - Plant Swap

Once again we were very lucky with the weather for our annual plant swap in Judy's splendid back garden. This meeting is always well attended. Plant varieties were once again numerous and plant owners explained where plants were best placed in the garden. Judy once again was the perfect hostess providing tea and coffee enjoyed in her garden. Ann Huntley took some of her tomato plants which were quickly swapped. Most have come to fruition. You can't beat the taste of home grown tomatoes.
Thanks Judy for your kind hospitality.

May
The May Gardens Group visited Dobbies Garden Centre and were treated to a most interesting talk by Paul in the Conservatory. He had a vast variety of plants and talked about the plants he had brought in detail. He gave us lots of sound advice:

Passion flowers and most clematis like south facing aspects and don't do well or flower on a north facing wall of fence. However, the clematis montana ruberan does well if it is north facing.
Senetti are good value plants as they flower perpetually just dead head them.
Plants with variegated leaves need more light.
Cut heathers back after flowering.
Hostas - remove flowers until August/September to reduce the numbers of slugs and snails.

Most people came away with their gardening knowledge improved and their purse a little lighter

Paul has agreed to do another talk in November. Put the date in your diary - Wed 4th November. Not to be missed.

April
In April a second trip to the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens was organised by the gardens group. (Thanks Elaine D for booking the tickets). Last time we visited was in September (2013). We travelled by train to see what springtime colours nature had in store for us. We were not disappointed as a host of daffodils and a wall of lilac and purple rhododendrons greeted us as we entered the gardens. The flowering cherry tree was spectacular too. Pink and white magnolias throughout the gardens added more spring colour.

After walking the huge rockery and Chinese Hillside the group gradually split as some visited the Queen Mother Memorial Gardens and others continued to observe the spring delights around the vast grounds. (What a marvellous resource for the city and absolutely free.)
The Palm House and Glasshouses were well worth a visit. Over 20 Wessington members had a super day out, a little chilly at times but it remained dry. Thanks everyone for your support for making it a fab day out.
Jen Ford

2015 March
The Gardens group emerged for spring and the new gardening year at The Elm Tree Nursery and Coffee Shop for a Q & A session hosted by one of knowledgeable members. The session began with questions on hollies (not the 60s group !) and succulents.

The group went on to discuss garden pests and how best to deal with them. Jean S gave us plenty of tips and a most informative meeting was enjoyed by the members who attended. Thanks Jean, your input and your enthusiasm and knowledge was greatly appreciated.

2014

2014 October
The last visit of 2014 for the gardens group to Durham's Botanic Gardens turned out to be a bright, mild and still morning. We have been so lucky with the weather. Almost 20 keen gardeners enjoyed a lovely walk around this wonderful garden. Many of the trees were not yet displaying their rustic autumn colours due to the mild and dry September but this did not hinder our enjoyment.

Our first stop was at the unassuming spindle tree which had a few small deep pink square fruits. Its hard non- splintering wood was once used for making spindles (hence its name) as well as other items such as skewers, pegs and knitting needles.

We headed for the North American Arboretum and then to the Himalayan Dell where the bright autumn sunshine on the birch trees gave them a ghostly appearance. Through the bamboo grove and as Judith H pointed out pandas were lurking!! and on passing the cherry trees in the Friendship garden.

The bracket fungi on some decaying birch trees was an interesting sight before we headed to see the dahlias outside the Tropical House.

Amazingly it was so mild some of the group ate a light lunch outside after our visit was complete. Food is always of a high standard. I for one felt much better after having had a morning close to the natural world.

Any comments on our comment page would be greatly appreciated.

August
Eggleston Hall
The Gardens group were once again extremely lucky with the weather when they drove to the fantastic Eggleston Hall Gardens in beautiful Weardale.
If you missed this visit you missed a treat. We asked for a guided tour of the gardens and the knowledgeable gardener Malcolm Hockham gave us a most informative and amusing talk and tour of the 4 acre site. This is also a nursery and all the plants were of the highest standard and very reasonably priced.
We also went into the secret churchyard where the ruined chapel built in 1612 stands roofless and with a huge tree growing inside. There were many unusual plants to see as well as a replica of the Angel of the North, fruit trees, perennials, alpines and as Malcolm said all their plants have been through the potting shed at least once before they are for sale.
After our comprehensive tour we headed to the cafe for a light lunch. The sun shone brightly so all the tables outside were occupied. A further visit to the nursery resulted in most people purchasing at least one plant before heading home. All of the group were unanimous in saying another visit in the future was essential. Thanks to everyone who came. It made it a great day.

July
Dalmain
It was a wonderful day. Weather could not have been better. The gardens were so colourful and most interesting and diverse.

June
Plant Swap

We were once again very lucky with the weather as quite a few members descended on Judy Robertshaw's wonderful garden for the annual plant swap. Many plants were snapped up quickly by eager participants. This was complimented with a welcome tea or coffee and biscuit whilst chatting and enjoying the sunny, warm afternoon. A successful meeting was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Thanks to everyone who brought plants to share and especially to Judy for all your much appreciated hard work.

May
Whickham Hermitage Community Garden was the venue for the May meeting of the garden group. The garden is run by volunteers and is the result of the hard work and imagination of local resident Dave Peacock MBE. Formerly the neglected and overgrown Hermitage garden, Dave arranged a public meeting back in 2002 and formed a committee to gain planning permission and generate funding in order to restore the garden to its former glory. Run as a charity, it relies on local funding, grants and the generous donations of its appreciative visitors.

The day was bright and breezy as we wandered in the dappled sunshine past an array of plants and flowering shrubs, including camellia, magnolia and azalea. Beds were being prepared for local school children to plant vegetables. Original features, now restored, include a small lake, boathouse, bridge, pagoda and pergola. A summerhouse displays a pictorial gallery of Whickham’s history and is a showcase for photographs of the work done in restoring the garden.

Although Jen couldn't join us for this visit, she arranged for us to see a DVD in the Orangery Coffee House about the restoration work in the gardens We naturally sampled the tasty scones and toasted teacakes while enjoying our teas and coffees (a range of hot and cold snacks available). The DVD showed the many talents of local people who have joined together to create this wonderful, hidden gem. As we wandered back through the garden we noticed more of the many fun art works woven through the planting areas. Many of the 'stars' of the DVD, including Dave, were on hand to answer any questions and are obviously very proud of this true community garden. Well worth the visit.

April
After very heavy early morning rain the forecast for April Fool's day was spot on. The stalwarts decided to wait until meeting at the Club to make a final decision on the visit. The rain had ceased and a brighter sky saw more than a dozen keen members head to Crook Hall Gardens in Durham. We were greeted enthusiastically by Maggie Bell the owner who talked briefly before we headed to the walled garden. The huge magnolia which stands so proudly in front of the medieval hall was ready to burst forth with its huge flowers. The sun appeared and it was quite warm as we saw Durham cathedral providing a backdrop to the two gardens at the front of the house. The many varieties of daffodils were a constant presence as we wandered around the many gardens adding so much colour. Tulips, hyacinths, camellia, grape hyacinths hellebores to name but a few made the visit so worth while.

Most of the group took the opportunity to have a light lunch after walking around the historic Hall, commenting on how lucky were we with the weather, as the recent fog had cleared and we had actually seen the sun. Thanks to Judith Humphries for organising the day. You did a wonderful job.

March 2014
The Gardens Group began their 2014 programme with a visit to Dobbies in Ponteland where Paul, the manager, treated the group to a most informative and interesting talk on springtime in the garden. His vast knowledge and enthusiasm made the meeting so worth while and greatly appreciated by all the members who were there.

Paul gave us many helpful and useful tips about plants, planting, feeds and lawn management in spring. After his wonderful talk a look round the Garden Centre was essential and no doubt most people bought something before they left.

Some useful tips from Paul:

  • When putting plants in pots put some polystyrene in the bottom. It will insulate your pot but also woodlice don't like polystyrene!
  • Use sulphate of iron on your lawn as it stops moss, mushrooms and fungi.
  • If you need a plant which will thrive in the shade - hellibore will grow in the shade. Also rhododendron like the shade.
  • If you are planning on planting a clematis this season try amandeo as it is evergreen.
  • Orchids - cut above the horseshoe after flowering. They are in clear pots as the roots love sunlight. After you water the orchid throw excess water away.

About half of the group, after making their purchases, had a most enjoyable lunch at The Badger with pancakes for dessert as it was Shrove Tuesday.