A Dorset garden
One of the highlights of the summer is being able to visit private gardens that are open for charity. Hilltop Garden at Stour Provost is one of our favourite gardens opened under the NGS (National Garden Scheme) in Dorset.
The first time I read about the garden, many years ago, it mentioned the wonderful garden and also the fantastic view over the Blackmoor Vale to distant misty blue hills.
As I was writing the post I looked up the information provided by the NGS and it just describes it much better than I could.....
Upon entering the garden through the little wooden latch gate you will find the most amazing mix of hardy perennials, annuals and an enormous number of different dahlias, all flowering their heads off, crammed into borders, tubs and pots, in and around lawns, paths, pergolas and ponds, any where in fact there is space, and in lots of places where there isn’t.
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| The display of dahlias is fantastic. |
The garden, full of colour and interest; is focused around an old thatched cottage and an ancient, shady oak. Many seats allow the visitor to contemplate this striking and unusual garden from many angles and at a leisurely pace
We did stop and sit on many of the benches around the garden admiring the plants, taking lots of pictures (these are only a selection!) and also enjoyed a cup of tea and homemade cake.
The garden is full of other lovely features which just add an extra special touch.
The garden was brimming with insects - they obviously think it is a great place to be. If you look back at the second photo the buddelia was covered in butterflies too.
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| Brimstone butterfly on a phlox |
For those of you were hoping for a view of the sea - I promise there will be some in my next post. I usually try and write one sea related post and something on another subject each week. For the last two posts gardens have taken over!
Have you visited any lovely gardens lately? Do other countries have private gardens open for charity like we do?
Thank you stopping by and also leaving me such lovely comments they always brighten my days.
Sarah x
Is there any spot in your area that is not gorgeous? Every place you show us is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThere are some areas that are not so scenic I will have to feature them sometime!
DeleteSarah x
What a lovely garden, I love NGS....I'm a bit nosy and love seeing what others do with theirs! :) x
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, I loved your two garden posts. The water lily gardens are stunning and I love the NGS description of this garden...beautifully written about a lovely garden.
ReplyDeleteJacquie x
Thank you for these beautiful gardenpictures!I enjoyed it to look at them.
ReplyDeleteI've just been on gardentours in the cotswolds for 1 week; I enjoyed it a lot!
greetings from Fleur in de polder
what a fabulous, colourful garden. I could never have a garden like that, it looks quite high maintenance and if I had my own garden to look after, I know I'd have wild garden than doesn't need anything do to it!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, looks like a wonderful place, Hilltop. I love the way the view opens out and stretches away....I love your tree by the way, brilliant idea, I have a similar project ongoing...and yes, it was life affirming following the sheep, I wasn't very useful as I spent the whole time cooing with my camera clicking!!! Happy late summer days,
ReplyDeleteSarah -x-
how gorgeous! the house and garden remind me of something from a Beatrix Potter story.
ReplyDeletex
What a stunning garden. I don't know if other countries do it, but the NGS (and it's Scottish version) are great institutions. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJust so incredibly beautiful!!! X
ReplyDeleteThis garden is a real beauty, and that vieuw, those distant hills. Groetjes, Gerda
ReplyDeleteI enjoy every step of the way as I stroll in your photos, Sarah. From sea to meadows, in summer and in winter, you always make me feel so happy. I am really looking forward to seeing what you have in store to share with us in the autumn! And as always, hugs to you and little Daisy. Anita
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. I love the second picture with the heleniums under the buddleia. The planting is beautiful and what a fantastic view! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful garden. I have plant envy!!
ReplyDeleteLeanne xx
Beautiful cottage and gorgeous views :-)
ReplyDeleteHello Sarah
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful house and the garden is luscious.
Those dahlias are outstanding - I'm just planting my garden now as we await Spring in New Zealand.
I'm visiting you from Carolyn's blog - what a lovely giveaway you hosted.
Your little Daisy looks so sweet!
I've just joined your blog and will pop back soon!
hugs
Shane
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful the garden and thatched home is and thanks for showing us. Over on the island we have once a year, where people share their gardens for charity.
Also loved the previous post with the water lily gardens
Happy thursday
Hugs
Carolyn
Wow such a pretty house and stunning gardens. Love the dahlias and I can see so many butterflies on the buddleia in your second photo. It must have been a lovely visit. Claire xo
ReplyDeleteThe garden is beautiful, and there is that stunning view in the background, too! I love the thatched cottage, which is another perfect background for all those colourful flowers. And the little Brimstone is lovely.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, especially the second picture. So much colour!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful and as someone above said there's so much colour. What a lot of work and dedication to make this garden what it is, unfortunately it's too far away for me to visit it in person but thanks to you it almost feels like I have.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely garden, we love the potos!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from RW & SK
What a pretty garden. And I do like a thatched roof! Juliex
ReplyDeleteWow! just amazing, I love the dahlias and the thatched cottage! I went on a House & Garden tour last summer, except we weren't allowed to take photos in the houses, and had to rush around 10 properties in a day! Exhausting. Schools often run garden tours, but again you have to rush from one garden to the next. It would be so nice just to linger and take your time. S:)
ReplyDeleteSuddenly my own little plot looks as if it is somewhat lacking! Seriously how gorgeous is that, both the house and the garden.
ReplyDeleteI love visiting your plot. I was going to do a post about my garden but it will have to wait a while! We have put more phloxs in this year to give more colour at this time of year.
DeleteSarah x
Gorgeous house and gardens!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I wish for a garden like that, so very pretty.
ReplyDeleteOh Sarah, these gardens are so beautiful! I love cottage gardens running riot and spilling over onto footpaths! This garden reminds me of an article in the Country Homes and Interiors, it showcased a cottage garden which is available to view by appointment, it's called Old Stone Cottage, Beesands, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 2EN , 0158-580787. You would love it because it's very similar to the garden above. I wish I lived near enough to visit! Have a lovely weekend. Sharon
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming garden and I love the house. I'm really getting into container gardening myself. I want to add more. I keep seeing articles on Dahlias. A gorgeous flower and one of my Daughters favorites. I need to bring them back into my garden and a container would be the way to do that. One of the California missions has a beautiful garden of Dahlias, Mission Carmel. That is where I first saw them and feel in love with them. They come in so many colors and sizes. Thank you for sharing with us. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteP.S. That is one interesting looking butterfly. It looks like a leaf. : )
I wish my garden looked like that! There are quite a few NGS gardens in Torbay and South Hams and I'm really hoping to get a few visits in this year.
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful cottage garden, I can imagine the camera clicking away, as mine certainly would have been. x
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful space ... such a lovely garden, thank you for sharing it with us Sarah :)
ReplyDeleteStunning garden Sarah, and cottage..I love the Dahlias they remind me of my lovely Dad, he used to show them in our local horticulture show..
ReplyDeleteHappy Week
Thea x