Maidstone Horticultural Society Coach Outings in 2006 Following
on from the successes of recent years, here is another
great selection of superb venues for your enjoyment,
chosen for their wide range of interest and good
facilities within easy travelling distance of 1. This
glorious woodland garden covers some 35 acres and
produces a wealth of colour throughout the seasons. We
have chosen our visit to enjoy especially the azaleas,
rhododendrons and other seasonal plants and flowers.
There are in fact several gardens here, some formal, some
informal, but all are seamlessly linked together. The
Golden Jubilee Garden was opened by the Queen in 2002.
The Temperate House is unique in its design and contains
tender woodland plants. The gardens contain several
National Collections. For the
able-bodied, (no coaches on Sundays), a walk of less than
1 mile within Windsor Great Park will find you at Valley
Gardens (no extra charge). A woodland garden on a
royal scale, over 200 acres of plantings across a site of
great natural beauty which falls in vast sweeps to the
open expanse of Virginia Water. Again, a succession of
camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas provide an
unbelievable kaleidoscope of colour. No refreshment
facilities here, but at 2.
Chartwell, Westerham. (National Trust)
Note
Time: Depart Chartwell
was bought by Sir Winston Churchill for its magnificent
views over the Weald of Kent to 3. Situated
in the heart of 4. Merriments, Hurst Green, A garden
not to be missed, Merriments offers everything for
the garden lover. Set in 4 acres of gently sloping Weald
farmland, this is a garden of richly and imaginatively
planted deep curved borders, colour themed and planted in
the great tradition of English gardening. The
borders use a rich mix of trees, shrubs, perennials,
grasses and many unusual annuals to ensure a constant
display of colour, freshness and vitality well into the
autumn. There are two large ponds, a dry scree area, bog
and wilder areas of garden planted only using plants
suitable for naturalising and colonising. There is a Gift
Shop, Plant Sales and a Restaurant. It is recommended
that we take our refreshment here as there are not
similar facilities at Great Dixter. Christopher
Lloyd’s father bought Great Dixter in 1910.
Lutyens did a conversion job on the house and laid out
part of the gardens. Most of the brickwork, yew hedges,
steps, walls, doorways and other details date back to the
original design. The main reason for the garden’s
pre-eminent reputation is the decades of horticultural
skill which Christopher Lloyd himself has put into its
planting. He has a remarkable eye for combining plants in
harmonious groupings throughout the year. The heart of
the garden is the Long Border which has become a showcase
and trial ground for his experiments and displays a wide
variety of colours, heights and textures, balanced by
good foliage and flowers. He has a fondness for change
and a desire to refine and improve his garden all the
time. As much detailed attention is paid to the borders
in autumn as in spring and summer. This is a garden for
inspiration and admiration. Coach
Pick-up Points: For each of the outings the
coach leaves Armstrong Road, Maidstone, at 9.00 a.m. and
the Old Palace at 9.15 a.m., EXCEPT the visit to
Chartwell when we leave Armstrong Road at 10.00am, Old
Palace at 10.15am. Book
early by ringing our Outings Organisers, Mike & Note:
Answerphone always on, please leave your name and number
and we will ring back. (The Coach House, |