Garden openings are one of the marvels of Dulwich – and in June, these are in full swing! Entry is usually just a few pounds with children free, most have refreshments to add to the enjoyment, and all support very good causes.
Saturday 5th June:
Ash Cottage, 1B Court Lane, SE21 7HD - 6-8pm for Freedom from Torture
The garden is divided up in unexpected ways to provide intimacy and surprise, with a paved flower garden leading through to a half-seen orchard, and through an arch back down a parallel long vegetable bed and herb garden. Wine.
Sunday 6th June:
103 & 105 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BJ - 2-5pm for NGS incl. donation to Macmillan Cancer Care
Two Georgian houses in the centre of Dulwich Village, both with magnificent large gardens. Teas and wind band, with renowned plant sales in both gardens.
North House, 93 Dulwich Village SE21 7BJ - 2-5pm for Link Age Southwark
Romantic large garden with echiums, roses and borders. Teas. Pre-booking available: www.linkagesouthwark.org/Events
35 Camberwell Grove, SE5 8JA - 12-6.30pm for St Christopher’s Hospice
Plant packed garden brimming with colour, spectacular roses and overflowing with pots, against the charming backdrop of St Giles Church. Light refreshments.
60 & 62 Brixton Water Lane, SW2 1QB - 2-5.30pm for NGS
Two 90ft gardens backing on to Brockwell Park. No 60 has floral borders and a mature wisteria covering the house, No 62 is a country garden with exuberant borders, a productive greenhouse and plenty of colour from old-fashioned roses, peonies and other perennials. Teas and plant sales.
Peckham Rye Group, SE22 0LP (4 Cornflower Terrace, 174 Peckham Rye & 4 Piermont Green) - 2.30-5.30pm for NGS.
Three picturesque gardens dotted along Peckham Rye Park – woodland space, unusual and eclectic plants; and an abundance of roses link the three. Teas and plants.
Sunday 13th June:
Lyndhurst Square Garden Group (5, 6 & 7 Lyndhurst Square) - 1-5.30pm for NGS includes a donation to MIND
Three very attractive gardens in a small, elegant square of 1840s houses in Peckham. Teas, plants.
Court Lane Garden Group, SE21 7EB (118 & 142 Court Lane, 1 Court Lane Gardens) - 2-5.30pm for Mark Evison Foundation includes a donation to St Christopher’s Hospice
Three interesting large gardens all backing on to Dulwich Park. 142 is a half-acre country-style garden with a circular theme; 118 is a plantswoman’s garden with many unusual plants; and 1 Court Lane Gardens (open for the first time) is a wildlife and naturalistic family garden with natural swimming pool. Teas and plants.
Wednesday 16th June: 108 Turney Road, SE21 7JJ - 6.30-8.30pm for Link Age Southwark
South-facing, fully-planted garden where the love of roses and clematis mixed with other plants is a constant theme. Plants. Entry includes a glass of wine or soft drink.
Sunday 20th June: 103 & 105 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BJ - 2-5pm for St Christopher’s Hospice
Two Georgian houses in the centre of Dulwich, both with magnificent large gardens. Teas and wind band, with renowned plant sales in both gardens.
Thursday 24th June: South London Botanical Institute, 6-8pm
London’s smallest botanical garden, densely planted with 500 labelled species grown in themed borders. Refreshments and plants. www.slbi.org.uk
Sunday 27th June:
GARDEN SAFARI for Link Age Southwark (102, 108 and 110 College Road, SE21 7HW) - 2.30-5.30pm
102 is a mature large garden with pergola, wildlife patch and fernery; 108 has colourful herbaceous borders and Mediterranean garden around a pool; and 110 has a recently landscaped front garden with interesting trees and grasses, and an open aspect rear garden. Teas. Pre-booking encouraged (at a discounted price): www.linkagesouthwark.org/Events
Gardens of Court Lane, SE21 7EA (122, 148 & 164 Court Lane) - 2.30-5.30pm for NGS
Three beautifully tended and contrasting gardens, all backing on to Duwlich Park. 122 has colourful herbaceous borders and live jazz 148 is a garden designed with its artist owner’s eye for colour, form, texture and flow; and 164 was recently redesigned to create a personal and intimate space with several specific zones, including a lawn with abundant borders, vegetable garden and greenhouse. Teas and plants.
38 Lovelace Road, SE21 8JX - 12.30-4.30pm for NGS
A tranquil gem of a garden with an all-white front and a family-friendly back, with borders packed with an informal mix of roses, perennials and annuals and smile-inducing features. Teas and plants.
Further details of the gardens with entry prices and access arrangements are included in the Dulwich Gardens open for Charity brochure, which is available in local garden centres and downloadable from www.dulwichsociety.com/garden-group, and on a companion website www.dulwichopengardens.org.
For up-to-date information on all NGS gardens, visit www.ngs.org.uk.
