Plants thriving at 16th century site after 50 years of attention
Richard Hartley has been restoring his 16th century garden for decades and has finally seen his efforts flourish - thanks to his 22ft plants.
He has mowed the lawns at Golding Hall in Cound for almost 50 years, as well as restoring the gardens to their former glory.
Based on a 16th century Italian garden, Mr Hartley has carefully tended the plants, but didn't expect them to shoot up to such a height.
He believes mild winters and a sprinkling of luck have helped the Echium Pininanas reach 22ft, and the gardens will now open to the public for the first time in three years.
Mr Hartley, who is helped by a small group of volunteers said: "They're in flower now and it's taken roughly three years for them to get to this stage.
"I can't believe how tall they are, I think they may have stopped growing now.
"It's the mild winter that's definitely helped them along, they can't survive in frost very well but we've had a really good climate and they're planted up against the wall.
"We will be open to the public for the first time in three years and that's really exciting."
Mr Hartley has been involved with Golding Hall for most of his life, and the gardens have their own micro-climate.
The terraced walls enable plants such as the Echium to flourish, and orange trees once grew in the gardens.
The gardens will open on Sunday (29) from 1pm till 5pm, and visitors will be enable to enjoy a picnic in the grounds.
For more information visit http://www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk/events/event/golding-hall-open-garden/
