Winsford Walled Garden
Staggering was how Chris Bailes, plant curator at RHS Rosemoor, described the colour and variety in the gardens.
Chance discovery uncovered this forgotten ruin in 1999, since then we have designed and built a glorious summer garden. Discover its rapid development since 1999 in year-by-year exhibition pictures that reveal and explain the incredible transformation.
Most SW gardens tend to be spring or woodland gardens whose colour often expires towards the end of May. Winsford was always a dedicated summer garden and it shows, right through to November and even beyond. The contemporary design is a loosely cottage garden style that harmoniously flows well beyond the 14ft-high garden walls that form the East Garden. Summer colour greets you at every turn. Montana clematis scramble through sub-tropical climbers. This is a special place, but even we were surprised to see passionflowers and hostas emerging on January 17, 2008! Clematis and honeysuckle abound at every turn plus all the usual summer favourites and much more besides.
Take a walk on the wild side through the bamboo grove amidst giant stems that rise to over 40ft and enormous gunnera growing in the centre. Gentians, Lewisias and other small perennials that would otherwise be lost in the luxurious borders are revealed at waist-level in the 60ft Alpine House. Elsewhere in the West Gardens are masses of ornamental grasses, agapanthus, dahlias, delphiniums, herbs, vegetables and carnivorous pitcher plants.
The restored teak greenhouses are unique. One contains unusual Bougainvillea, the other, tropical Hibiscus with 7 inch-wide blooms.
Location
Halwill Junction is on the Okehampton-Bude road (A3079). Follow the brown signs from the village mini roundabout to the garden (1 mile).
Opening Hours
5th April to 31St October
10.00am to 6.00pm daily (including Bank Holidays). Other times by appointment.
Admission Rates apply.
Dogs on leads welcome.
Enquiries
Mike & Aileen,
Winsford Walled Garden, Halwill, Devon EX21 5XT
Telephone 01409 221477 Website http://www.winsfordwalledgarden.com