Plants
of current interest Plants
of current interest Congratulations to Barry Clarke, Propagation Officer and Nursery Manager for the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, who has won a Silver-Gilt award for displaying his collection of Rubus at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Like many gardeners, Barry has a wide interest in many different sorts of plants, but it was particularly his passion for Rubus, the species of Blackberries and Raspberries, which led him to form a collection which is now 100 species strong. Barry has Rubus plants from all over the world, but the majority have come from China, Japan and Korea. Several years ago he joined the NCCPG (National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens) and applied for national collection status. In 2004 he become the holder of the first and only national collection of the genus. Barry's collection won the Silver Award at the Hampton Court Flower Show in 2005 and the Silver-Gilt Award in 2006.
May 2008
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We are due to start a project will begin late summer '08, when we hope to install another crucial section of All Ability path. Leading from the lowest point of the Himalayan Valley, it will slowly climb and cross through Ampfield Wood Valley, before entering the (so far undeveloped) former nursery area behind the Chautera and towards Jermyn’s House around the outbuildings. To allow for the wheelchair-suitable slow climb of this new path, it will be necessary to move a lot of soil. But this will be used to create a more interesting and undulating landscape in the new garden area, and will be planted with our ever-increasing collection of plants from China and the Himalayas. In the long-term, we are planning to develop the rest of the valley and the woodland behind...so watch this space!
Spring 2008
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Thanks to a grant from Test Valley Borough Council, this Autumn '08 will see exciting new play features in the Gardens - particularly for families and children and which are due to be installed from April to September. We are keen to ensure as many visitors as possible can benefit, thus they will have All Ability access as far as it is possible. To encourage families to explore the Gardens, the features will be placed in three distinct areas and will consist of:
• Swings with a difference on the slope towards the Populetum - some for use by more than one at a time.
• A tree house on stilts, in the Pinetum - with disabled access.
• Extension of the bamboo tunnel - with a bridge over the stream and extra bamboo to enhance the jungle effect, with the addition of other sensory plants from soft tree ferns to spiny devil's walking sticks.
We hope that children of all ages from 3 to 93 years will enjoy these new and enhanced features...and just in case you ask, there is no age limit for these features so we may find some children supervising their parents or grandparents!
Spring 2008
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The well known broadcaster, writer and plantsman Roy Lancaster OBE VMH became our second patron at the end of 2007. Roy started to work for Sir Harold Hillier in the 1960’s and later became the Gardens’ first curator. He has been a great supporter ever since, serving for many years on our Gardens' Advisory Committee. His passion for plants is truly infectious and we are thrilled and proud to have him as patron.
Winter 2007
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Jonathan Dimbleby's popular BBC Radio 4 programme hosted at the Gardens in October 2006
Click here for details on 'Any Questions?'
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Sir David Attenborough visits Garden