Open Gardens
Our garden is open for the National Gardens Scheme twice in 2010. Our first opening is on April 18th 2010 (1-4pm). Our other opening will be on 12 September 2010 (1-5pm).
130 Prince Rupert Drive is an enthusiast's garden of half an acre, created from scratch by Anne and Barry Wright since 1993 and containing a wide variety of trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs in beds connected by gravel paths.
The entire plot lay under the main runway of RAF Marston Moor for 40 years, after which (most of) the 0.5m thick concrete was removed and a variety of topsoils placed on the surface. Thus we have fairly light soil in places, while in other areas it is clay. Some areas are poorly drained, and so we have put in gravel and bark paths for wet weather access. The garden is exposed to high westerly winds from the airfield.
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The garden in 1993 |
The planting is designed for year-round interest. Early hellebores, snowdrops and cyclamen give way to spring bulbs and early perennials.
Later in the summer, the borders are filled with herbaceous plants and grasses, with our large fern collection in the shadier parts. Many of our plants are grown from seed, including wild collected seed, enabling us to grow rare and unusual species not often seen.
We also have a large established rock garden, pond and bog areas.
For those interested in edible plants, the kitchen garden contains vegetables in raised beds, soft fruit and trained fruit trees.
Our special and delicate ferns are grown in our dedicated shade house, and early bulbs in the alpine house, where I indulge in my hobby of breeding miniature daffodils.
Images of the garden at the beginning of September 2009 can be seen below. We always try to have a good selection of unusual plants for sale, including some rare ferns. Plants available in April will include bulbs, various cyclamen species and early flowering perennials. We also do delicious home made teas, which will be provided under cover if the weather is bad, and there will be home made preserves from our own produce for sale. The guest cake for April will be Hot Chocolate Fudge Cake. Come early for the best choice of plants and cakes. We would be delighted if you would join us on one or more occasions to help raise funds for this very worthwhile cause, which supports several other charities including:
130 Prince Rupert Drive,
Tockwith,
YORK.
YO26 7PU
TEL: 01423 358791
Email anneswright42@hotmail.co.uk
(Please note - remove the 42 from the address when sending an email)
