Hardy Plant Society

The Secret Garden

The Botanic Garden is born.

For over 30 years the Nottingham Branch have tended the small walled botanic garden at Wollaton Hall and Deer Park in Wollaton, Nottingham. By 1980 the garden, 100 feet by 50 feet and surrounded by a 10 foot high brick wall, had lain idle and unloved for over 35 years. The then Museum Curator, Mr Brian Payle, wanted it to have a useful purpose and staff suggested that it could become an exhibition area for living plant life. The resident taxidermist was married to a keen member of the Hardy Plant Society. As a result of this connection Nottingham City Council Museum Service formally invited the Branch committee to create a Botanic Garden devoted to hardy garden plants in September 1980.

In accepting this challenge the Branch realised that developing the garden would be a huge undertaking. They were well supported by the City Council who arranged clearing the site, restoring paths and providing new topsoil for the beds. Fortuitously, John Widdowson, husband of the branch secretary had just retired and he became the Garden’s first curator. By the autumn of 1981 the nine beds had been created and decisions made about the plant families/genera that would be included. Five years later, in July 1986, John Widdowson reported that the garden contained a total of 471 plants and it continues to increase and evolve to this day.

The Garden Today

The garden today represents approximately 50 different plant families. The walls are clothed with a selection of clematis, akebia, lonicera and humulus aureas. In early spring the pulmonarias make a fine sight with their full blooms and differently marked foliage. There are several trilliums amongst the emerging fronds of the many ferns. Later in the spring the highly scented lilac blooms of the perennial honesty, Lunaria rediviva, is usually in full bloom when we hold our April Plant Sale (the first of the Season) and is much sought after. The many hostas are the next to put in an appearance and make a long lasting display with their varied leaves and shapes. Then come the paeonies, aquilegias, irises and alliums followed closely by the geraniums that always give a good long lasting show with their many colours and forms. The leguminosae bed makes a pleasing display with Lathyrus ‘White Pearl’ and the red Lathyrus rotundifolia with a backdrop of the yellow Piptanthus nepalense. Later in the season the phlox are a stunning sight with pinks, reds, blues and white forms. The grasses are always eye-catching and a good talking point when we are open to the public on Sunday afternoons. The many forms of fritillaria, hemerocallis and kniphofias make a colourful long-lasting display through the summer and in the autumn the many different salvias cause quite a stir among the visitors. We aim to grow some of the traditional older varieties of perennials whilst still keeping up to date with more modern plants. As well as the flowers and perfume we also have many foliage plants. The group is very conscious of the need to renew and develop the garden. Plans are afoot for some new plantings and changes for spring 2012

Come and join us

Every Friday morning from 9.30- 12.30 a group of volunteers meet to tend the garden and chat over a cup of coffee. New volunteers are always welcome so please come and join us. Contact:-
Jill Robinson tel: 0115 952 3358 or email: gordon.robinson3@ntlworld.com

Garden Opening and Plant Sales

From Easter to the end of September the garden is open to the public on Sundays from 2-4p.m. Plants grown in the garden or donated by members are sold at very reasonable prices to raise funds to maintain the garden and support the Winter Programme of talks. On occasion such as Bank Holiday Sundays at Easter and August the Garden opens longer. Members volunteer on a rota basis to open the garden give advice and sell plants. To volunteer contact:-
Linda Phillips tel 0115 981 9146, email: Rosalinda.Phillips@btopenworld.com

Private visits

Local groups/societies are welcome to visit the garden during summer afternoons or evenings. Light refreshments can be served. Contact:-
Doreen Corfield, tel: 0115 923 2035, email: deecee24@ntlworld.com or
Jill Robinson, tel: 0115 952 3358, email: gordon.robinson3@ntlworld.com.

Where exactly is it?

It is located in Wollaton Hall and Deer Park, Wollaton, Nottingham NG8 2AE but it’s not known as the Secret Garden for nothing! The garden is hidden away behind the Coaching Courtyard on the Hall side of the buildings. The main gates are tucked into the corner adjoining the Coaching/Stable block on the Hall side. An even more hidden doorway can be entered underneath the “veranda” in the outer courtyard. We hope you will take the challenge and come and visit.
Visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.co.uk for opening times and map.