Three hundred come for tea!

Leydens, the private home and gardens of Roger Platts, was open to the public on Sunday 9th August for the couple’s annual NGS Garden Open event.

Over 300 visitors came to see the new and improved grounds, which raised in excess of £1,500 for the charity on admissions, donations, tea and cake.

Despite a busy schedule exhibiting at Chelsea earlier in May, plus client commitments and nursery work, vast improvements have been made to Leydens since last year’s event. Over 100 metres of drainage has been installed using 40 tonnes of shingle to relieve compaction for a poorly drained clay ground that can only normally be worked on from June to September. Turf for the new lawn area was laid in May and new beds created to allow for a revised layout, which were planted in June.

“It’s always a pleasure to invite people on to our property,” says Roger. “This year we have had many compliments on the changes, some people perhaps expecting more, but an overall sense of pleasure had – and I hope ideas taken away – particularly from the plant enthusiasts and keen gardeners. Next year will see the grounds flourishing even more.”

Further changes are afoot. After eight years of establishment of a garden that was initially laid out for immediate privacy to give Roger and Jeanette some space away from the nursery while living on site, it is now ready for additional adjustment.

“There will be some severe pruning and thinning carried out this autumn,” Roger says. “The new herbaceous border was planted recently and is designed specifically to be at its best during late July and August, so that can be enjoyed next year. As with all gardens, it is continually evolving and the next main project is the kitchen garden which was recently ripped out with a digger. This is due to be laid out with raised beds and pergolas.”

The NGS is a registered charity, which opens gardens of quality, character and interest to the public. Since 1927 the charity has raised almost £40 million to support nursing and caring charities, £25 million in the past ten years.