Our Open Gardens for 2022 include:
1 14 Badgemore Court, John & Anne (FRONT GARDEN TO VIEW)
This Spring all the stone pebble borders were taken out and laid to grass using seed. However, the drought and battle with pigeons currently gives a poor look. We have added ornamental rocks around the central bed now with new topsoil and edging. The red acer has developed nicely since pot rescue. The first blossom in December is always the Japanese Cherry, a stump left over from a full height tree. The left bed is dominated in spring by the pink shrub magnolia that lasts till early summer when the Lichfield Lady cream rose next to the pavement takes over. A work in progress! Close viewing invited.
2 9 Badgemore Court, Suzanne & Brian (FULL GARDEN TO VIEW)
Ours is a medium sized un-overlooked garden which was originally just lawn. It’s now split into two parts. One part is a courtyard style surrounded by a pergola and has a small flower bed, a summer house, a large number of pots and a small private seating area. The other part has a small lawn and consists mainly of slightly raised rectangular flower beds divided up by series of linked paths. It is surrounded by a Hawthorn and Conifer hedge and has a large pergola which supports a range of climbing roses and clematis. There is a covered veranda, a patio with a raised wild life pond and another selection of pots. There is also a fernery and a good selection of hostas (slugs permitting!) (Limited wheelchair access)
3 7 Badgemore Court, Dagmar & Dan (FULL GARDEN TO VIEW)
A largish garden by MK standards, ours goes around three sides of the bungalow and is very private. We have a large decking area with a comfortable covered seating area and a fire pit. This is a real suntrap. There are numerous flower beds and many pots around all three sides, but the main garden is designed around a Japanese concept which is known as a dry riverbed. Extensive use of bamboo has been made to give it that extra Japanese feel. A small bridge crosses the river. Refreshments on sale in support of TMAEG Plant Fund. (Wheelchair accessible)
4 5 Badgemore Court, Nicolette & Owen (FULL GARDEN TO VIEW)
The front garden has beech hedging, copper on one side and green and copper (tapestry effect) on the other, several dogwoods which have winter interest and a spring flowering dogwood tree. At the back, a small courtyard contains climbing roses, Clematis Montana, a climbing hydrangea and jasmine, and a slate mulch planted with ferns. The rest of the garden has a hard paved area with shrubs and herbaceous planting around a circular lawn, with a water feature and containers. We particularly enjoy the acers, two more recently added, and hostas. (Regret there is no wheelchair or mobility access)
5 14 Belmont Court, Kathleen & Shukri (FRONT GARDEN TO VIEW)
Out of necessity our garden is designed to enable all the gardening to be done easily from a wheelchair. The front boundary hedge has been replaced with a lovely low brick and pier wall. The ground has been levelled and tiled with large exterior tiles which provide easy access for a wheelchair. Tall raised beds which contain a variety of shrubs and flowers have been built to provide easy access for pruning etc. A small lawn has been retained but to eliminate the need for mowing this is now AstroTurf. (Please view from footpath only)
6 11 Belmont Court, Rosemary & Alf (FRONT GARDEN TO VIEW)
Many years ago Rosemary attended a garden design course. The final examination was to design a back or front garden. Front was chosen and our garden is the implementation of Rosemary’s design. It is a combination of hard landscaping, a small lawn and beds containing a selection of flowers, small trees and shrubs. Having recently retired from caravanning the space previously occupied by the van is now a gravel garden with a variety of potted plants and the whole garden is now bounded by a newly planted yew hedge.
7 Bluebell Circuit (TMAEG ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT)
This major project by TMAEG and partners – a 750m nature and exercise walk was officially opened on April 23rd. The bluebells, a highlight of that Launch, are long over but there is much more to see in the multitude of trees, shrubs and wildflowers and in the changing landscapes as one follows the Circuit. Begin your walk at the Milesmere or High Street Greens . Guided tour at 4pm both days, starting from Milesmere Green.
8 3 Thorncliffe, Pauline & Andrew (FRONT GARDEN TO VIEW)
My garden is a mishmash of memories – cuttings and plants from the gardens of fondly remembered family and friends – and also “bargains” rescued and revived, as in my hanging baskets. Quirky ornaments sourced from friends add individuality and humour. Small clipped box shrubs hold it all together. (Please feel free to walk up the drive for a closer look).
9 18 Thorncliffe, Stan (FRONT GARDEN TO VIEW)
Laid out some 32 years ago, this front garden has conifers as its theme. Versatile and varied in colour and growth, most of those you see were experimentally raised from seed. The box hedge borders were grown from over 100 rescued clippings! Wallflowers, both yellow and Persian Carpet, make a colourful impact in the circular bed. Careful clipping once a year keeps all in good trim. (Please view from the public footpath only).
10 8 Westcliffe, Daphne & Pauline (FULL GARDEN TO VIEW)
The front garden is enclosed by a low yew hedge. On one side is a rose bed with steps separating the other side, which is mainly lawn. Our south-west rear garden backs onto the new Bluebell Circuit Walk. The main area is lawned with a patio, fern corner, raised beds with a variety of perennials, shrubs and climbing plants. Around the side of the bungalow is where we keep our water butts and Hotbin, which gives us compost as well as a liquid fertiliser. There is also a courtyard with grasses and a large trachycarpus fortunei.
11 15 Milesmere, Christine & Nick (FRONT GARDEN TO VIEW)
Our modest-sized front garden is a continuous work in progress. It evolves through the year taking advantage of early season blooms of tulips, daffodils and hellebore and as the year progresses, it is planted out with blooms of vibrant colours intended to brighten the pathway for anyone who walks past.
12 13 Milesmere, Jo, Jeff & Angela (FULL GARDEN TO VIEW).
Our front, side, rear garden and driveway were designed in 2017 by Mark Lane (of TV fame) as a wheelchair accessible sensory garden to sit in and built in early 2018 after much planning. Mark was then the only garden designer in the country who was a wheelchair user. At the last Open Gardens it was very much a “new baby” which has now matured into a 4-year old with equally aged weeds and residents! (Fully wheelchair accessible. Front garden to be viewed only from road)
13 Bee Garden & Fernery (TMAEG ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT)
A now well-established site accessed from the High Street to Stonehill footpath, this project has several zones, including: an area of bee friendly flowers to help our threatened bee populations; a shady area with ferns amidst coppiced hazels; and a stream-side habitat with water-loving plants. In the bee garden, we have recently introduced new plant types such as Michaelmas Daisies to extend the bee-feeding season; overall, there is much variety here. Volunteer guide present 3-4pm both days.
14 5 Burewelle, Lynda & Kevin (FULL GARDEN TO VIEW)
Our garden is a split-level mixture of wild and tamed areas with rockery, stone walls, lawn, patio, ponds, gravel paths and mature trees. Most plants are grown from cuttings and seeds with shrubs and perennials. The patio contains planters and pots holding flowers and vegetables. Three ponds sit close to bug hotels and form part of the wildlife area with wildflowers such as red campion and foxgloves. A summerhouse, shed, garden curios and cuttings, 6 water butts complete the garden. A few plants are for sale in aid of Cancer Research UK. (Partial rear wheelchair access)
15 34 Stonehill, Liz & Andrew (FULL GARDEN TO VIEW)
The garden has a Mind of Its Own and we are happy to encourage plants that seem content and just “referee” when one gets too big for its boots. Roses love the hot dry south facing aspect. To encourage wildlife there is a small pond and two ‘watering holes’. Part of the lawn has been allowed to go wild and currently boasts a magnificent display of … daisies. Work in progress! Recent storm damage has created the opportunity to redesign a whole planting bed. We hope that a display about the work of the charity Medical Detection Dogs will also interest visitors. (Regret no wheelchair access)
16 33 Stonehill, Smita & Harshad (FRONT GARDEN TO VIEW)
“We might think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it’s our garden that is really nurturing us!” Jenny Uglow, Historian. Our front garden is inspired by a Corn Hill front garden, the one with many flowers and urns. Whenever we walk past Corn Hill, to go to the shops or something, this garden draws our attention and makes us smile. We thought we ought to give Stone Hill walkers something of that pleasure-to walk past a flowery garden amidst the chores and bustle of our lives. Do walk past our front garden and pause for a while to take it in.
17 Two Mile Ash Allotments (ACCOMPANIED VISITS ONLY – 1.30 pm & 3 pm)
The Allotments in Stonehill have been a feature in Two Mile Ash for some 38 years and combine vegetable and fruit growing plots with communal facilities, a nature garden, orchards and a centrally located polytunnel. Our 30 minute guided walks will provide a ‘snap shot’ of these features at this busy time in the allotment year. They start at 1.30 and 3 pm on each day and will be limited in terms of numbers. Please wait at the gates.
18 54 Chardacre, Leo and Simon (FULL GARDEN TO VIEW)
We have a large-ish corner plot with a beautiful mature oak tree, which has meant finding plants that can cope with shade and dry conditions. Our approach has been to encourage biodiversity and a degree of wildness, as well as providing a pleasant tranquil haven. We have rear access to the green ride and Bluebell Circuit and Heppleswell playground. The garden is wheelchair friendly. Light refreshments available in support of TMAEG Plant Fund.
19 Community Garden
In June 2019 the Parish Council asked Janice to run the TMA Community Garden. It was extremely overgrown and untidy. With the help of volunteers she cleared the area and with all the lovely donations of plants, shrubs and stones made it into an inviting place for all the local community. Janice also dedicated two areas for wildflowers so the local bees, birds and bugs can flourish too.
20 Twin Gardens Extension/Park Gateway (TMAEG ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS)
One of TMAEG’s biggest projects for 2022 has been to extend the Twin Gardens, a shrubbery and flowers area which we developed some five years ago on either side of the footpath connecting the High Street with the Local Park. The two extensions are at right angles to the original gardens and face the Park. As before, the accent is on colour with a combination of shrubs and perennials. Elsewhere along this piazza, between the dentists and the hairdressers, visitors will be able to view the new summer planting put in by TMAEG volunteers with the support of the businesses.
21 The High Street, Radcote Lodge (ENTRANCE TO GARDEN THROUGH CAR PARK AT BACK)
The garden has been transformed with lots of welcome help from MK Green Gym. We have a variety of pots, raised beds and flowering borders, designed for low maintenance. They will provide a blaze of colour for residents and visitors throughout the summer and beyond. Refreshments from 2-4 pm in support of Radcote Lodge Garden Fund. (Wheelchair accessible)
The map and descriptions are all found in the Open Gardens 2022 Yellow Passport.