26th and 27th May , yellow book weekend

Garden Opening

On the last weekend in May, four members of the gardening group once again opened their very different gardens to the public under the National Gardens Scheme.   A lot of hard work went into getting the gardens looking their best, and other members of the Garden Group, friends, and neighbours all helped to bake about 30 very tempting homemade cakes to sell on the Sunday afternoon.

The success of most outdoor events is clearly very dependent on the weather.   To the dismay of all involved in the garden opening, it started raining on Saturday morning and the steady downpour continued throughout the afternoon.   Tables were set up and wine glasses polished ready for the evening opening with no real expectation of any but the most intrepid gardeners venturing forth to view the gardens.   Then quite unexpectedly, just a few minutes before the gardens were due to open, the rain suddenly stopped!   Not surprisingly, the number of visitors that evening was down compared to previous years.   However, the number of visitors who arrived on Sunday afternoon more than made up for it!   The day dawned bright and sunny, and the first of over 300 visitors began arriving as soon as the gardens opened at 2pm.   It was especially nice to see people who had just moved into the Estate, as well as others from much further afield who had visited us several times before, but came back again to see how the gardens had developed.   One member said there was a really warm and friendly atmosphere on the Estate that day, as residents and visitors moved between the four gardens.   Another said that it made her proud to live on the Hill, and to be a member of the Association!

The small admission charge, together with money from afternoon teas and the sale of plants, enabled us to raise just under £2000 for charities such as Macmillan Cancer Relief and Help the Hospices, including St Christophers in Sydenham.   The number of visitors usually declines in line with the number of years the gardens are opened.   Despite this being the seventh successive year of opening, the amount we have raised each time has remained constant.   That would not have been possible without the support of members of the Association who rallied round to help by donating plants, baking cakes, buying and distributing wine, selling tickets, serving teas, and keeping the garden openers sane... Our thanks to everyone who worked to make the event such a success.   And yes, we would love your help again next year - we have already signed up for the eighth garden opening!

Valerie Ward

For further information on the national gardens scheme, go to www.ngs.org.uk

The Garden Group holds evening meetings on the first Wednesday of each month to exchange advice (and plants), organise bulk purchases of gardening materials, and arrange visits to flower shows and gardens open to the public.  

The Coach House, 3 The Hermitage (Pat Rae)

Scupltor's mature coutyard garden. Crammed full of unusual plants and sculptures. Water features, vegetables and decorative plants in containers large and small changing with the seasons. The roof garden also in containers, many of which are for sale, fired in the artist's kiln, along with plants. There is also much wildlife interest in the garden.

27 Horniman Drive (Rose Agnew)

Rose has a small, low maintenance, north facing front garden with shrubs creating a tapestry of green. Behind is an evolving back garden with an emphasis on colour harmony using perennials, roses and shrubs. There are also vegetable areas, a greenhouse and views over South London and the North Downs. Rose will also have some plants for sale.

53 Ringmore Rise (Valerie Ward)

Valerie has a corner plot with spectacular views over London. The front garden is inspired by Beth Chatto's dry garden, with stunning borders in soft mauves, yellows and white. The rear garden is on three levels with themed beds, some shaded, some sunny. There is also a large pond and apatio with a pergola. The garden is sloping with some steps, and is wheelchair accessible.

19 Westwood Park (Mark & Sabine North)

A west sloping familly garden dominated by an old oak tree. There is a large vegetable and fruit garden with perennials, pots, climbers and small ponds for abundant wildlife.