As the garden visiting season gets into full swing here are four gardens, known for their tulips and spring flowers, opening in Essex in May. For those who have never visited a National Garden Scheme garden before, any would be a delightful first experience and will reveal how sales of admission tickets, teas, refreshments and plants go towards the significant sums raised for the nursing and health care beneficiary charities such as Marie Curie, Macmillan Cancer Support, Hospice UK and Parkinson’s UK.
The garden at Bucklers Farmhouse in Coggeshall, CO6 1SB is new to the Scheme this year and makes its debut on Sunday 1 May, 1.30 until 5.30pm, admission for adults is £6 and children free. This is a beautiful and well-established garden which has been developed over the last 50 years from a hay field to its current state, packed with interest including hundreds of tulips and some fun topiary. The garden opens again on the 10 and 12 June when an amazing collection of succulents will be on display.
Furzelea in Danbury CM3 4JR is also opening on the 1 May, 11am to 5pm, admission £6 for adults and children free. This collection of tulips has been growing over the last ten years and now literally thousands can be seen around the garden including some in a stunning black and white themed area. Enjoy these along with many other spring flowers and shrubs in this charming garden.
Heyrons in High Easter CM1 4QN is a great choice of garden for tulip lovers. This is an Essex barn and red brick farm buildings which surround an intensely planted walled garden featuring thousands of spring bulbs. Beyond this is a small meadow with fine views of the Essex countryside. It is opening on Monday 2 May 11am to 5pm and pre-booking is essential at ngs.org.uk, tickets for adults are £5 and children free.
On Saturday 7 May Green Island in Ardleigh is opening for the National Garden Scheme as part of its Bluebells Bazaar weekend. This is a fabulous time to see this woodland garden which is packed with unusual plants, many available to buy in the adjoining nursery, and the bluebells form a breath-taking carpet. It is open between 10am and 5pm with admission £8 for adults and £2.50 for children.
Teas and refreshments will be served at the gardens and some plants will be available to buy. Visit ngs.org.uk to find more information on the gardens listed here including wheelchair access plus any last-minute changes to the opening times.
