With the welcome arrival of Spring bulbs and blossoms, our gardens are beginning to green up nicely in harmony with the burgeoning hedgerows. What better way to celebrate the joys of the new season than to plan a garden visit with friends & family?
Here in North Powys, we have several open-by-arrangement gardens catering for small groups of 5-25 people. These are just perfect for informal private visits, where you can enjoy wandering at your leisure and sample the delicious tea & cake in tranquil surroundings. Eve’s Garden, Llansantffraid (SY22 6TB), Glan Yr Afon, Llangedwyn (SY10 9LQ), The Malthouse, Llandrinio (SY22 6SG), Rock Mill, Abermule (SY15 6NN) and Vicarage Farm, Llangynog (SY10 0HG) are all listed in the Powys leaflet and bookable online. Charges average around £10 pp including refreshments, with all proceeds benefitting the many charities supported by the National Garden Scheme.
If you have never visited the glorious internationally acclaimed RHS partner gardens at The Dingle near Welshpool (SY21 9JD), I urge you to do so. On Sat 9th/Sun 10th May they will be open for the NGS from 9-5PM (£3.50 pp). 4.5 acres of rhododendrons, azaleas and acers tumble down the slopes towards the lake: a veritable festival of colour!
Another extraordinary garden can be found about a mile outside Llanfyllin, perched on a hill with glorious views towards the Berwyn Mountains. Bachie Uchaf (SY22 5NF) is open Sat 23rd/Sun 24th May from 12-5PM (£6 pp) with homemade teas in aid of Lingen Davies. Words cannot do justice to how special and lovingly created this oasis of calm amid rolling farmland indeed is. Let your senses be assaulted by the acres of specimen trees and shrubs jostling in explosive and vibrant colour, with a cascading stream as the backdrop. The retired owners are on hand to relate how they created the garden from a once muddy ravine. Make this wonderful garden your Bank Holiday treat.
