Looking through the new NGS Gardens to Visit book, for 2016, the only one open near us today was Court House in Warwickshire.
Despite as our neighbour said "it is a thin wind " we set off to visit with the promise of a winter garden and a cup of tea.
The description in the NGS book is: "A 4 acre garden with yr-round interest and colour. Extensive and varied spring bulbs, and garden of winter interest. Herbaceous borders, spring beds, fernery, recently redesigned and restored walled kitchen garden. Rose garden, pond area and paddocks established with wild flowers."
The house is in a typical rural cotswold setting with the village church next door...
...the walled kitchen garden was very impressive with its box hedging and two rows of standard wisteria and pear trees, which must look wonderful when in flower...
...the topiary provided elements of classic structure along with some amusing features, such as this fox and hounds.
These hedges, I thought, were a design triumph, copper beech with yew pillars...
Coppiced willows and dogwoods make a striking feature this time of year...
...especially here around the pool...
...I do like these dark leaved Bergenia...
...the ideal snail!
The winter garden colour came from a selection of trees with beautiful bark...
... coppiced Dogwoods, Willow and Pittosporum, I think Tom Thumb ...
...all under planted with spring bulbs and different coloured Hellebores.
The orchard with a collection of chickens and fancy fowl...
...and some Herons?
In one corner a bench overlooking some colourful beds...
A raised bed leading down to the terrace.
Seeking some warmth we entered the greenhouse to find this impressive Cestrum in full flower...
The owners had wisely decided not to provide teas, it was too cold to sit outside!
An impressive well thought out and maintained garden,
setting a high standard for future NGS garden visits.
Well worth visiting again for their summer openings and tea.
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