Three-acre garden's vast display

Peter and Angela Unsworth are opening their garden this Sunday at Holly Grove, Church Pulverbatch for the National Gardens Scheme.

The three-acre garden is divided into a series of 'rooms' enclosed by beech or yew hedges and contains a wide collection of plants, many of which are unusual or rare.

Entering the garden from the field parking a woodland area is being developed on the right, where native bluebells are naturalised. Beside the house a yellow border has a Piptanthus nepalensis just starting to flower, with Erysimum 'Harpur Crewe' in full bloom.

To the rear of the house is a knot garden with fine views over the adjoining fields. A woodland border on the right under a large flowering Prunus 'Tai Haku' has several species of Trillium in flower.

The gravel garden by the house contains many Snake's head fritillaries as well as Juno Iris and the double white Sanguinaria flora plena. Tulip species are also flowering.

The pleached lime walk is now covered in fresh green leaves are underplanted with a selection of purple tulips. Viola labradorica and purple sage.

The nearby rose arches also contain tulips and Clematis 'Frances Rivis' is flowering well. Several enclosed garden rooms contain a variety of plants and features including a water and vegetable garden. Primula denticulata are flowering well and the Bergenia 'Irish Crimson' looks well.

The woodland garden has magnolias damaged by frost this year, but a weeping Malus is just in flower, Ribes x gordonianum is a less known form and the new foliage of Cercidiphyllum japonica is good.

A beech walk adjoins the arboretum with mown paths meandering through the trees underplanted with Narcissus cyclamineus hybrids. Malus purpurea 'Royalty' has really dark foliage and deep red flowers.

Back to the house and the front garden contains herbaceous beds, a herb garden and mixed shrubbery with interesting Pittosporum cultivars.

A walk down the lane, through the rare breed chicken field to the pool is well worthwhile. The late spring has delayed many of the flowers in the meadow, but around the pool are many cowslips and fritillaries and in the water are several marsh marigolds.

This is a lovely tranquil area with just the sounds of the countryside and the relaxing sound of the adjacent stream.

"Very therapeutic," Angela remarked.

Holly Grove is open this Sunday from 2-6pm. It is a garden with many interesting features and choice plants.

It is situated between Stapleton and Church Pulverbatch. Turn off the A49 south of Bayston Hill signposted Stapleton and then follow the signs to Pulverbatch.

Angela has been propagating many plants so there should be some real gems on the plant stall. Visitors are also welcome at other times by appointment.

OTHER GARDENS OPEN:

• Friday May 2: Wollerton Old Hall, near Market Drayton for the NGS. Open 12-5pm admission £5 children £1

• Saturday May 3: Tan-y-Llyn, Meifod for the NGS. Open 2-5pm admission £2.50

• Sunday May 4: Abernant House, Garthmyl (between Welshpool & Newtown) for the Severn Hospice open 12-5pm admission £3 concessions £2

• Sunday May 4: Byways, Daisy Lane, Whittington, near Oswestry for Save the Children. Open 10.30-5.30pm, admission £1, refreshments available and plant sale

• Sunday May 4: Holly Grove, Church Pulverbatch for the NGS. Open 2-5pm admission £3

• Sunday May 4: Swallow Hayes, Rectory Road, Albrighton for the NGS. Open 2-5.30pm admission £3

• Monday May 5: Millichope Park, Munslow, near Craven Arms for the NGS. Open 2-6pm admission £4

• Monday May 5: Oteley, Ellesmere for the NGS. Open 2-6pm admission £3

• Tuesday May 6: Brownhill House, Ruyton-X1-Towns for the NGS. Open 1.30-5pm admission £3

DESIGN A FLOWER SHOW GARDEN: A reminder to horticultural and allotment groups to get your entries in for our Design a Flower Show Garden for the Quarry Marquee at the Shrewsbury Flower Show. If you missed the details contact Star Promotions on (01952) 242424 for competition details and how it could benefit your club.

GARDENING GROUND RULES:

• Warmer weather at last means the gardens are starting to grow so now is the time to start outside seed sowing whether it be on the vegetable garden or in the flower borders with hardy annuals

• Now is a good time to prune back evergreen shrubs that can be trimmed back to a more manageable shape, except those about to flower, in which case wait until flowering has finished

• Dead head narcissi and daffodils to allow energy to build up the bulb for next year and not into unwanted seed formation

• Weed and feed lawns to control broad leafed weeds and stimulate grass growth

By Martin Ford