National Garden Scheme Online Events
If you need some inspiration for your outside space, The National Garden Scheme is kicking off the new gardening year with a series of informative, garden-related online talks and events
Bringing the best gardens, experts and garden owners together to share their insights and passion for gardens and gardening, the National Garden Scheme’s digital events series will continue throughout 2021, taking you from the cool drifts of snowdrops to the fiery colours of high summer.
CEO George Plumptre, who will kick off the current series on Tuesday February 2, says,
The importance of gardens and gardening for our health and wellbeing came to the fore in 2020 and, as the uncertainty is set to continue, we’re supplementing our hugely popular garden visits with a series of informative talks and events that will appeal to a wide audience.
Don’t miss the events starting on Feb 2
George Plumptre CEO National Garden Scheme
Goodnestone, the story of a garden – live online talk with George Plumptre
Tuesday February 2, 7pm
National Garden Scheme Chief Executive was born and brought up at Goodnestone Park in Kent and his early years witnessed the restoration of the garden by his parents following years of wartime neglect and damage. Today it is one of the most admired gardens in the country, extending to some 12 acres around the elegant 18th-century house. It was the garden at Goodnestone which inspired George’s career as a garden writer and, most recently as Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme for the past ten years. In his talk George will unveil the garden’s long history, highlighting the contributions of different members of his family, detailing many of the plants which today give so much of the garden’s interest and bringing it all to life with personal anecdotes and stories.
Goodnestone
The Allure of Snowdrops – live online talk with Tim Ingram
Tuesday February 9, 7pm
Tim Ingram’s snowdrops
Renowned plantsman Tim Ingram, who opens his garden and nursery at Copton Ash in Kent for the National Garden Scheme, reveals some the secrets of these little winter wonders. As well as giving advice about how best to grow them he also looks at some of the rare varieties that have become not just garden plants but valuable commodities. He also introduces some of the other small plants that add to the delights of the late-winter and early-spring garden.
My Garden Journey, Ordnance House, Wiltshire – live online talk with Terry Winters
Tuesday February 16, 7pm
Terry Winters Pic: Clive Nichols
For Terry Winters and his wife Vanessa the garden they have created on a former MoD plot in Wiltshire has been a journey of transformation. From an empty space of sharp draining, thin chalky soil to a sumptuously planted south facing oasis, their journey shows what can be achieved with imagination and passion. Join Terry as he shares their ever evolving story from the original plans laid out in 2011 to the award-winning gardens that now bring such joy to owners and visitors alike.
Ordance House Gardens Pic: Brigitte & Philippe Perdereau
Twenty years with twenty acres – a story of Hurdley Hall
Tuesday March 2, 7pm
Simon Cain and Simon Quin
Simon Cain and Simon Quin bought Hurdley Hall in 2001 and after restoring the house set about creating a garden from scratch that would suit the harsh, rocky landscape of the Welsh Marches. Today the garden opens for the National Garden Scheme and was a finalist in The English Garden’s ‘Nation’s Favourite Garden’ competition. In their talk Simon and Simon will show how they have overcome the challenges of their location and created extensive borders, ponds, stone walling, topiary and a kitchen garden that has been merged into the landscape with traditional hay meadows, streamside walks, woodlands and an orchard.
Hurdley Hall Gardens
Triumphant tulips, a live online talk with Philippa Burrough at Ulting Wick
Tuesday March 30, 7pm
Tulips at Ulting Wick Pic: Marcus Harpur
Philippa Burrough’s garden at Ulting Wick in Essex has been for many years one of the National Garden Scheme’s most popular destinations. The garden extends to eight acres and includes gentle meadow and waterside plantings. But it is closer to the house that the enclosures with listed black barns as the backdrop, provide the setting for some of Philippa’s most inspired planting, not least her spectacular annual display of tulips. In her talk Philipps will describe creating the garden with her husband Bryan, but she will also reveal the practical details of how to create a memorable tulip display, from when to plant to her favourite tulip varieties.
Ulting Wick, Essex Pic: Marcus Harpur
Upcoming events
With more exciting events lined up and yet to be finalised, keep an eye on the National Garden Scheme website for details at: Lectures and Online Events – National Garden Scheme.
Ticket proceeds to help charities
All proceeds from ticket sales will help provide funding for the vital nursing and health charities supported by the National Garden Scheme including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, the Queen’s Nursing Institute and Parkinson’s UK. For more info see www.ngs.org.uk.
Allison Hay
I joined the "My Weekly" team thirteen years ago and, more recently, "The People's Friend". I love the variety of topics we cover both online and in the magazines. I manage the digital content for the brands, sharing features and information on the website, social media and in our digital newsletters.
