Stunning September Colour and Variety

The South West of England is well-known for its glorious 'spring' and 'woodland' gardens with their extensive and colourful rhododendron and camellia collections but, unfortunately such displays come to an end at the end of May leaving just a mantle of green for the summer visitor.

This was the view of Mike Gilmore when he discovered a derelict and forgotten Victorian Walled Garden and decided to create a stunning summer garden. Even more surprising was the discovery that the original walled garden had been designed as an exotic flower garden from the outset.

Located just 10 miles NW of Okehampton and the main road artery (A30) that runs right through the South West region, Winsford Walled Garden provides a stunning variety of summer colour that extends right through October. On this page are featured just some of the many plants in this most fascinating of gardens. And Michael has designed and built the garden from brambles in just 10 years.

Plants providing glorious colour during September include; abelia, agapanthus, alstroemeria, bougainvillea, cassia, cimicifuga, clematis, cyrtanthus, dahlia, echinacea, fuchsia, gladioli, helenium, hibiscus, lupinus, pittosporum, plumbago, potentilla, rudbeckia, viburnum.

Thing is, these photographs were all taken in a South West garden during LATE SEPTEMBER and not the spring and early
 summer, when so many gardens in the region are at their best. This garden will knock you out if seen at its best in summer.

Here are some unsolicited comments from people visiting the gardens during September.

"Great surprise to see so much colour and interest on Sept 1st, really unusual, a great learning experience." - P & F Naylor, Falmouth, Cornwall.
"Greenhouses & Victorian aspects fascinating. So different from the usual Spring/Summer Cornish gardens" - J. Cooper, Launceston.
"An inspiration for all gardeners. A beautiful garden in a peaceful setting. Lots of hard work have made this a special place." - W & T Senior, Surrey.
 An inspiring place. Lovely to see so many NZ plants. We have many ideas to take home and try out." - D & J Johnson, Rotorua, New Zealand.