Gardening – Beeleigh Update

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens

An historical and peaceful retreat of three acres of riverside gardens in a delightful setting dating from the 13th century was enjoyed by 32 members of teh west Bergholt Gardeners Association on their July evening visit to Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon.  The original abbey was founded in 1180 for white robed canons of the strict Premonstratensian order.  The energetic commitment to Beeleigh by the owners and their staff was reflected in the splendid show of English old roses; mixed borders; cottage garden; wild flower meadow; river walk; vegetable and fruit production and water features.

Interested in visiting the gardens? They are next open on 8 & 22 July; 5 & 19 August and 2 & 30 September 10.30am to 4.30pm – entry £4. Refreshments available/ free parking. Information available on http://visitmaldon.co.uk/beeleigh-abbey/ – telephone: 07779 223321.

For details on the Gardener’s Association’s meetings and outings contact Valerie Lofthouse, Chair: tel. 01206 855450 – [email protected] or Terry Claydon, Treasurer: tel. 01206 242124 – [email protected].

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Ebullient & exuberant gardens

Ebullient and Exuberant – aptly described the Old Vicarage Gardens, East Ruston when 52 members and guests visited this week. As we left one beautiful ‘themed’ garden we were enticed into the next. We felt we had travelled many continents seeing Echium pininana from the Canary Islands; Eschonaria yuccoides from Mexico; agaves, aloes, puyas and cacti in the Arizona ‘Desert Wash’; native cordylines and phormiums in the New Zealand garden and a South African flavour in the Exotic section.

Aeoniums and succulents in
the North Garden

Feeling more at home, we ambled through areas of woodland; adored the fragrances in the rose garden; admired with envy, ʽmega’ sized lettuces in the highly productive vegetable patch. A walk into a meadow of cornflowers threw out a blue haze whilst in the wildflower meadow hardy geraniums and other herbaceous plants competed with the grass. And this is just a brief description of all we sampled and enjoyed.

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon – will be our next outing on the evening of Tuesday 5 July. The three acres of riverside gardens are set in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

For details on our meetings and outings contact Valerie Lofthouse, Chair: tel. 01206 855450 – [email protected] or Terry Claydon, Treasurer: tel. 01206 242124 – [email protected].

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Wildlife & Summer Gardens

‘The Wildlife Man’ – Barry Kaufmann-Wright, delighted his audience at the March meeting. He spoke in depth on ‘Wildlife in the Garden’ punctuated with humorous anecdotes and experiences drawn from his long career as an Essex Wildlife Crime Officer. After his presentation of slides on both the friendly and the lesser welcomed garden visitors, members took the opportunity to purchase greetings cards and books by Barry, including his autobiography.

Next month is our ANNUAL PLANT SALE on Monday 18 April at 7.30pm. Arrive early at the Orpen Hall to bag the bargain plants and garden bric-à-brac items. Any donations would be gratefully received at the hall at 5.00pm on the sale day.

Wickham Place Farm Gardens

Join us on our summer outings to:

  • Wickham Place Farm Gardens, Wickham Bishops on Wednesday 18 May at 2.30pm. 14 acre site featuring 2 acre walled garden and large mixed woodland. Renowned for wisterias.
  • East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens on Wednesday 15 June at 2.00pm. Remarkable 32 acre garden incorporating formal design, enormous decorative exuberance and brilliant planting.
  • Beeleigh Abbey Gardens
  • Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon on Tuesday 5 July at 7.00pm. Three acres of riverside gardens in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

For details on our meetings and outings contact the Chair – [email protected] or the Treasurer – [email protected].

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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