It was bright and sunny when I began my October tour of Helmingham’s Grade 1-listed Gardens, although the fresh breeze was hurrying along some darker clouds. It felt strange to be there when it was so quiet, without the hundreds of people milling about and the grounds filled with parked cars. It was extremely peaceful and the sheep and deer grazed close to the hall itself.
Fallow Deer Herd
Grazing Sheep
I started my visit in the Rose Garden, with its accompanying accents of purple provided by Asters and Aconitum. One of my favourite David Austin roses – the wildy romantic Harlow Carr – was swirling in circles in the wind as Flora looked on unperturbed.
Rosa ‘Harlow Carr’
Aconitum
Asters
Rosa ‘Paul Neyron’
Flora
I’ve always loved the view of the Knot Garden from the raised walkway that runs beside the moat. It was designed back in 1982, specifically to provide such a vista from the house and for those progressing, as I was, towards the walled garden on the opposite side of the hall. The two urns flanking the steps down to the Knot Garden are always a favourite photographic subject for me with their richly-coloured Pelargoniums.
Knot Garden
Urn flanking steps down to Knot Garden
Knot Garden towards Rose Garden
The Hall itself is one of my favourite historic buildings and always seems more romantic when the dark clouds gather in the sky above its orange/red brick facades. There was definitely a brooding nature to the sky as I walked closer to the Parterre Garden.
South-West Corner of Hall
Southern Drawbridge
West Facade
Parterre Garden
Waterway at SW Corner of Hall
The two large stone urns in the Parterre’s round beds had been emptied and the white Cosmos taken away. In its place neat rows of Wallflower were newly planted. I’m looking forward to the privilege of seeing them when they first come into flower. It was at this point that the heavens’ opened, giving me the chance to capture the Parterre in the rain as we sheltered under a delightful canopy to the side of the garden.
The Parterre in the rain
Pear Tree in the Parterre
Rose in the Parterre Garden
Thanks to the fresh breeze, the rainstorm was soon over and I was able to continue through the wrought iron gates into the Walled Garden. I love the way the pink and white Anemones provide a soft counterpoint to the statuesque gate pillars with their majestic Pegasus finials.
Entrance to The Walled Garden
Once inside the walls, I visited each area in turn, trying capture the spirit of the garden as it begins its period of hibernation. The gardeners had been busy cutting away spent foliage, clearing the wildflower spiral and spreading manure on the flower borders. The Gourd Tunnel still hung with fruits, which glowed in the autumn sun.
Wildflower Spiral
Gourd Tunnel
Gourd Tunnel
The flower borders seemed asleep apart from the purple and pinks of Asters – yet the Sunflowers in their wrought iron tunnel seemed to be refusing to acknowledge the end of Summer.
View towards west facade of Helmingham Hall along herbaceous border
Asters and Sunflowers
Sunflowers
Sculpture in Walled garden
Beautifully vivid pink Nerines lined the inside of the west wall and provided a perfect backdrop to the glossy green leaves of the box sculptures.
Nerines
Box Topiary and Nerines
Nerines
Dahlias in the cutting bed dazzled me with their jewelled brilliance – the gardeners told me that they would remain until the first frosts, although the tubers in the herbaceous borders had already been lifted.
View of Hall showing Dahlias
Faith
Dahlia Cutting Garden
Young Bess
It was time for me to think about finishing for the day and starting my journey down to Sussex. I couldn’t resist a few more images of favourite things, as I left the Walled Garden.
View across Parterre of Walled Garden Gates and Cedar tree
The Snowman
Clematis rehderiana (nodding virgin’s bower)
Rusty – Dogs are always welcomed at Helmingham
Rhubarb Forcer
Apple Cordon
Urn, Wallflowers and West Facade of Helmingham Hall
As I left Helmingham Hall and gazed back up the long main drive with its wonderful avenue of trees, I felt honoured and very happy that I will be able to follow the Hall and its beautiful gardens each month as it gently and peacefully makes its way through Winter and into Spring.
Sunday 3rd June was my 3rd annual visit to Boxford Open Gardens.
A firm favourite with me (despite always being a scorching hot day with tricky light conditions) and so I was expecting great things from my journey around the gardens, even if I could only manage a small proportion in the 5 hours available. I actually managed to visit 19 of the 27 gardens and loved every minute …
I have a passion for my Flower Photography and hope that you will love my images.
I’ve collated my images in order to post my favourites – and most of the gardens have been included. There are new favourites every year – yet 17 Swan Street, Weavers House & Crown House are always eagerly anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed. I do hope you enjoy my peek behind the back gates of the beautiful houses in this charming Suffolk village …
4, The Causeway
This was a lovely, natural garden with lots of wild flower areas and a beautiful Weigela. A good start to my day !
Ox-Eye Daisies
Statue & Knautia
2, Cox Hill
I was the first visitor of the day to this charming garden, which had a definite Plantswoman’s touch. It was lovely to chat to the owner, Ginny Budd, about her choice of flowers – especially the Cedric Morris irises. There was also a very attractive double geranium that I had never seen before. One of my favourite gardens of the day …
Polygonum superbum
Poppies
Duck at 2 Cox Hilll
Gladioli byzantinus & double Geranium
Double Geranium
Ginny’s Cat
Gladioli byzantinus
Cedric Morris Iris
15, Holbrook Barn Road
The roses were magnificent back in early June, before the long dry spell kicked in – and this garden was a spectacular showcase for many beautiful examples. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit here, although it was tempered with sadness that the owner had recently lost his wife – who had been the driving force behind the garden’s creation. He had done a marvellous job keeping it in perfect condition and promised faithfully that he would learn the names of all the roses ready for my visit next year ! This was one of the loveliest smaller gardens that I have ever visited and I especially loved the views through the rose-clad archway !
Clematis
Rose
Rose-covered Arch
Rose
21, Brook Hall Road
I was lucky enough to coincide my visit here with some beautiful singing by the Madrigalia Choir and enjoy some shade in this restful garden.
Laburnam Arbour
21 Brook Hall Road
SaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave
15, Brook Hall Road
The houses along this road all back onto a brook ( hence the name) and the owners of this particular garden had taken full advantage of this feature, creating a wonderful series of paths & decking around the brook. It had involved a great deal of hard work and expense, yet the result was totally worth it. They had even unearthed some special friends who lived down near the water !!
Boxford Brook with Decking
Pixie Home in Tree
Shady Spot under Maple
SaveSave
SaveSave
13, Brook Hall Road
Another peaceful garden with plenty of welcome shade and nature trees. I particularly loved the alpine sink with the pretty pink Lewisia.
Lewisia
Acer & Cedar Trees
SaveSave
Chequers
I headed back down into the village towards the church to one of my favourite gardens from last year. I had spent ages in this garden then and was pleased to see that it held the same charm, even though the weather conditions of 2018 meant that there was a completely different display on show. This year I was also able to meet the owner, Sarah, who had been very pleased with my photos from last year’s visit.
St Mary’s Church Boxford
Foxglove
Persicaria bistorta
Lillies
Rambling Rose
Honeysuckle
SaveSave
SaveSave
3, Church Street
This was my favourite photo from this small courtyard-style garden, recently taken on by new owners. A beautiful rose – and I can never resist bunting !
Rambling Rose & Bunting
Mary’s House
I always stop off for a quick visit to this lovely property. The tiny garden is always brimming with colour …
Summer Container – Marys House
SaveSave
SaveSave
Hendrick House
This garden is always very popular with lots of interest, as well as a lovely view of St Mary’s Church tower. The plants on display were quite different to last year because of how different our weather has been – and the roses were especially pretty.
Pink Rose
Delicate Rambling Rose
Garden View with Rabbit Statue
Foxglove Detail
View of St Mary’s Church Tower from Hendrick House
17, Swan Street
I was pleased to arrive here, as it is always one of my top gardens…
I especially love Guy’s Hosta display and the beautiful climbing rose – Constance Spry. Needless to say, these 2 were in stunning form, as always !
Vintage Watering Cans
Beautiful Arbour
Hosta Collection
Constance Spry Rose
Rose with Hydrangea
Hostas
Rose – Constance Spry
SaveSave
Weavers House
Another firm favourite with me – with the added bonus of being able to chat to a wonderful Plantswoman, Maggie Thorpe. Her small courtyard garden always looks special and is filled with more unusual varieties. This year, I was particularly taken with the Monkshood – this image being one of my best loved of the day …
Monkshood
Succulents in Wellies
Beautiful Hues
Statue & Rose
Flowering Urn
Golden Rose
Crown House
Time was passing quicker than I thought, so I decided to make my way by car up towards Groton & Edwardstone – as I had never managed to visit many gardens from that area. I started with an old favourite at Crown House – the home of another talented Plantswoman – Chloris of ‘The Blooming Garden’ Blog.
It was as beautiful as last year – with the Rose “Phyllis Bide” looking really splendid on the trellis & arches of the Secret Garden. The latter has really come into its own this year and looks established and luxurious with the heady perfume of Honeysuckle – Lonicera “Scentsation” and a very pretty double Philadelphus “Snowbelle”. I’ve included images of my other favourites of the day, including a wonderful white single rose with flushes of pink.
All in all; a truly inspiring garden …
Rose
Rose at Crown House
Snow in Summer
Philadelphus
Rose – Phyllis Bide
Rose – Phyllis Bide
Lavender
Alliums
Philadelphus “Snowbelle”
Spider detail in Secret Garden – Crown House
Lonicera “Scentsation”
SaveSave
From Groton to Edwardstone and -:
8 The Winthrops
I had been recommended not to miss this garden if I liked roses – and there were definitely some wonderful blooms here, as well as some delightful cottage-garden species.
Poppies
Lupins
Beautiful Cupped Rose
Roses
Rose
Edwardstone Cottage
This garden had stunning Cistus purpureus with petals like crushed silk …
Cistus purpureus
Cistus purpureus
Cistus purpureus
SaveSave
SaveSave
Walnut Tree Cottage
By the time I found this delightful property it had just gone 4.30 and the garden was officially closed. The owners were extremely friendly, however, letting me have a look around and providing me with welcome refreshment ! It was a lovely garden with the highlights being a wonderful brick outbuilding adorned with climbing rose and a stunning deep-raspberry-red lupin – which gave me another favourite image of the day.
Iris sibirica
Brick Outbuilding & Rambling Rose at Walnut Tree Cottage
Lupin at Walnut Tree Cottage
Walnut Tree Cottage
Brick Outbuilding & Rambling Rose at Walnut Tree Cottage
Brick Outbuilding & Rambling Rose at Walnut Tree Cottage
Lupin at Walnut Tree Cottage
SaveSave
Dormers
I had planned to visit Dormers as my finale because it was open until 5pm. It was a marvellous way to finish the day, as it was a stunning garden in a most favourable setting.
Being surrounded on 3 sides by open fields gave a perfect backdrop to the planting schemes, which had been cleverly designed to maximise vistas from all angles. Beds were planted up to be viewed both looking back into the garden from the field perimeter as well as to be admired with the fields and woods beyond.
Borders at Dormers
Borders at Dormers
Borders at Dormers
Trollius
Pond at Dormers
There were numerous pathways around the garden which led me to new vistas & garden ‘rooms’. It would be difficult for me to choose my favourite feature of the garden – as there were so many-:
The gorgeously romantic pink clematis;
Pink Clematis
Pink Clematis
Pink Clematis
The pond area with views to open countryside;
Pond at Dormers
The amazing selection of roses in the front garden …
Rose
Rose
Rose
Rose
Rose
Rose
Perhaps I would have to say that the vistas created by the rose & clematis-covered archway in the side garden were the loveliest aspect ?
Rose
Clematis
Rose
My Favourite Vista of the Day
Certainly my image below of this vista is my top photograph of the day …
Overall – and it is a very tough decision – this was my favourite garden of the day. You will have to visit Dormers next year and decide for yourselves ..!
