VP's Guide to Garden Bargains #2


This is a brilliant excuse to bring you another picture of the fabulous borders I saw recently (they look much better if you click to enlarge the picture) at the RHS Inner Temple Show. Amateur Gardening (AG) magazine has their account of the event in this week's edition. As The Garden Monkey points out, having the power and immediacy of the internet, we bloggers were well ahead of their game, though they did have a rather nice piece on the Head Gardener, Andrea Brunsendorf.

However, I do need to correct an inaccuracy in the AG report re when the garden's open to the public. It implies there's only a couple of occasions - during the London Open Garden Squares weekend in June and the National Garden Scheme (October 4th 2009). I've been looking into the Inns of Court gardens (of which The Inner Temple is one of four) in a little more detail since my return from London, and can reveal they're open to the public every weekday lunchtime (at the Inner Temple's discretion) from 12.30 to 3pm for free. You may have to share them with lawyers taking a break from their expensive labours to enjoy their sandwiches in the fresh air, but I believe that'll just add to the entertainment.

The other Inns of Court also open their gardens to the public. As each one has its own head gardener, I think it's worth a return visit to see whether each garden has its own distinctive style or whether they form a coherent whole. These gardens don't charge for the privilege, which in view of their heady and historic location in London, just has to be a top bargain. The other gardens are open as follows:
  • Middle Temple - Monday to Friday 12pm to 3pm in May, June, July and September
  • Lincoln's Inn - Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, year round. North Lawn may be used for picnics between 12pm and 2.30pm
  • Gray's Inn - Monday to Friday, 12pm to 2.30pm, year round

Comments

  1. Helen/patientgardener3 October 2008 at 19:34

    Hi - what are the red flowers in the foreground?

    ReplyDelete
  2. VP3 October 2008 at 20:00

    Hi Helen - seeing it's you asking, they're rather aptly called Helenium 'Rublinzwerg'. Gorgeous aren't they? I'm so glad the Head Gardener had put a planting plan on display and even more glad I took a photo of it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous4 October 2008 at 08:42

    Wow, thanks for this VP - I had no idea the gardens were open during the week! I will have to get down there and check them out.

    Rach x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Helen/patientgardener4 October 2008 at 10:26

    With a name like that I think they will be going on my wish list

    ReplyDelete
  5. VP4 October 2008 at 17:24

    Rach - hello! Let me know what you think of them. Skimble and Jess say hi ;)

    PG - I just thought you might :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mr. McGregor's Daughter5 October 2008 at 15:42

    I've wanted to see the Inns of Court anyway (I'm an attorney), but I had forgotten about the gardens there too. Someday I'll make it to the UK, & the Inns of Court will be near the top of my list of must-see things.

    ReplyDelete
  7. VP5 October 2008 at 17:17

    MMD - I thought this would be right up your street. It's such an interesting area of London and the gardens are magnificent. Meet you there?

    ReplyDelete

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