Dunge Valley Rhododendron Gardens

& Hardy Plant Nursery

FREE ENTRY TO THE GARDENS WHEN YOU SPEND £12 ON PLANTS

Events Information

Double Hellebore Month
March 4th - 28th 2010

Each year the demand for these beautiful Hellebores has been growing and as they are all seed grown with every one different, so the only way to get exactly what you want is to see them in flower and choose.

We will have a wide selection of colours along with some single and anemone flowering varieties. These are all full size flowering plants in either 3 litre or 5 litre pots. The size of the plants offered encourages customers to split them but we recommend getting them established for a year or two in the garden before this is attempted.

Rhododendron and Blue Poppy Month
May 1st - 31st 2010

In May the Gardens are awash with colour from the myriad of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Magnolias and the sound of Skylark and Curlew filling the air making this a magical time to visit. We have gone out of our way to have particular hybrid Rhododendrons that reflect the best possible older hybrids, such as the stunning scented Rh. ‘Loderi King George’ and latest selections, such as Rh. ‘Midnight Mystique’ and Rh. ‘Lemon Dream’ all of which will be available for sale in the Hardy Plant Nursery.

We have been famous over the years for the magnificent Meconopsis x sheldonii, the Blue Poppy. We find this hybrid between M. grandis and M. betonicifolia is the most reliable offering an outstanding large sky blue flower which comes up year after year. We will also have a selection of other species available in small numbers - see Meconopsis for more details.

Enlarge and Watch This Splitting Image Move

Garden Art in
April, May and June 2010

Over the years we have had requests from people to exhibit work at the Gardens. In 2009 we were in touch with a number of local artists, potters, sculptors and painters to show their work here. We hope they will all return in April, May and June 2010 giving our customers an opportunity to purchase some unusual Pieces of Art.

	This year local artist, Frances Culshaw is exhibiting some of her Earth Art in our Tea Room. www.francesculshaw.co.uk
	Last year we had:
	A local artist with Fairy Tale Ideas, Paul Smith's Sculptures are delightful. They are available in either ceramic, bronze or mixed media. Lovely to see. www.paulsmithsculptures.co.uk
	From Hartington, David and Catherine Rooke specialise in fine Terracotta Garden Pottery and Kitchen Ware. www.rookespottery.co.uk
	Artist Blacksmith, David Freedman designs and hand forges unique Wrought Ironwork, Sculptures and Architectural Metalwork at Church Minshull Mill. www.millforge.org.uk www.ironsculpture.org.uk
	Pete and Sue Jacques create some lovely pieces in their Stained Glass Studios in Liverpool. To hang in windows to catch the light, their work is very desirable.
	Bill Sowerbutts; Geologist turned Sculptor produces tactile Hand-Carved Sculptures in Staffordshire Sandstone.
	Lynn, Simon and Jacob from Mahoney Sculpture just over the hill in Pott Shrigley will be bringing some interesting Copper Pieces. www.mahoney-sculpture.com

(Anyone else wishing to take part, please get in touch!)