Dunge Valley Rhododendron Gardens

& Hardy Plant Nursery

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

Garden Tour

	Starting from the Patio at the front of the house, the lawn has been shaped to reflect the curves of the Pennine hills in the distance.
	The borders are constantly changing throughout the season and year by year, as plants mature or as other plants are added. The mixed planting of perennials and shrubs such as Eucryphia, Magnolia, Tree Paeonia give structure and a more natural feel.
	In Spring it's lovely to see the new growth in the borders, especially the primroses which are a delight.
	Mid summer the borders are ablaze with a mass planting of Cottage Garden Perennials mixed to give a random affect.
	In the corner, at the end of July into August Clematis montana scrambling up Clerodendrum spectabile 'Variagatum' dots the leaves with lovely, blue, open flowers.
	The variegated Astrantia major 'Variegata' can be found here contracting with Lysimachia ciliata 'Firecracker'.
	The raised bed looks spectacular in May with Rhododendron yakushimanum flowering profusely with some trial Rhododendrons around it. The Sculptures displayed are also for sale.
	Here also you will see this Santolina chamaecyparissus var. nana which was collected on one of the highest mountains on Majorca. The wonderfully spicily scented leaves are very reminiscent of hot days walking high in the Mediterranean hills.
	The wonderful perfumed Roseraie de l'Hay can be seen around the garden with it's sweet scent filling the air in June. This easy and disease-free rose should be planted in every garden. It can be pruned back hard to keep it to size.
	This beautiful wild flower, Hesperis matronalis seeds itself about the garden and is wonderful for attracting bees and butterflies in early Summer.
	Rhododendron 'Hawk Crest' and Rhododendron augustinii 'Statuette' are in the next bed with Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' and Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' in the background.
	The Prunus serrula is a favourite of ours and the customers. It's beautiful smooth shiny mahogany bark is very much a hands-on experience. We have three specimens in the Gardens and sell out annually in the plant sales. It is an outstanding medium tree for a modern garden.
	Acer griseum sits happily amongst Meconopsis, Rhododendrons and Roses.
	The back-drop of Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' with Weigela middendorffiana by its side contrast with the Blue Poppies; Meconopsis and Diphylleia cymosa.
	The stunning blue of Berberis temolaica set off against Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' makes a wonderful combination.
	From mid May to June we have a spectacular show of Meconopsis, the Blue Poppy. It enjoys moist peaty soil and dappled shade. We have for sale M. betonicifolia and M. x sheldonii 'Lingholm'.
	Glaucidium palmatum has a beautiful palmate leaf.
	The exotic purple spikes of Dactylorhiza elata nestles itself near the Bowles Grass and Aconitums.
	A subtle combination of reds and purples of Astrantia and Prunella.
	The lawn is shaped and curved to give the gardens a natural affect looking here towards the pond.
	A view back with the large swath of Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter', a really easy and eye catching perennial growing under the Eucalyptus gunnii which needed cementing into the ground when young as it wouldn't stand up by itself, another good reason to buy smaller plants.
	The very good and affective foliage plant, Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' lightens a dark corner.
	A late Summer view from the lawn up to the house. We plant mostly for foliage affect even though there is not a flower in sight the shape, texture and colour of the contrasting foliage looks good all the year round.
	On the corner the textured purple foliage of Rodgersia mingles with Meconopsis under the silver leaves of the weeping Pyrus salicifolia.
	This was the bare outlook in 1984 when plants were small dots on the landscape, we had only started the garden in 1983.
	The view now overlooking the Borders and Wild Dell. The different colours and textures of flowers and leaves can show the great contrasts that can be created with imaginative planting.
	Aruncus dioicus with its tall feathery plumes of white flowers to about 1 meter creates a lovely cool show near the pond in Summer.
	Beautiful and stunning colours can brighten up those dark corners as with this Rhododendron 'Fabia' at the approach to the Rhododendron Dell.
	Rhododendron 'Susan' always flowers profusely year after year, its cobalt blue flowers are a nice contrast to the pinks early in the season.
	As you walk up the Rhododendron Dell the colour starts to overwhelm as you see masses of different flowers, leaf shapes and hues and then take in the scent of Rhododendron 'Loderi King George'.
	A kaleidoscope of colour, texture and contrasting foliage with Acers, Prunus, Rhododendrons, Paeonia, Hellebores, Bulbs and perennials covering the area. This was 1984 when we first started the gardens. The woodland was a blank canvas into which we could plant and blend in new acquisitions.
	The lower path leads you round over the stream and past Pieris, Ligularia, Lysichiton and Veratrum.
	From the bridge looking back.
	In the Rhododendron Dell you will see many large mature plants such as the primrose-yellow Rhododendron 'Moonshine Bright'.
	Approaching the waterfall is the specie Rhododendron williamsianum with its shell-pink bell-shaped flowers looking good throughout the year not only in flower in Spring but when it produces bronzy, rounded, young growth after flowering.
	Your eye is taken upwards to see what is yet in store on your walk.
	The Rhododendron Dell provides good shelter for some of the larger leaved Rhododendrons now coming into maturity.
	1984: These pictures even make us gasp.
	At the top end of the Rhododendron Dell the natural feature of the waterfall brings in another element to the garden, the relaxing sound of running water. A bench will allow for a rest to admire the wonderful colours of the flowers or the beautiful new leaf growth which in itself is very colourful. There are a number of species Rhododendrons in this area noted for their outstanding foliage including R. wasonii, R. bureavii, R. insigne, R. 'Rosevallon' and ...
	... R. yakushimanum, the parent of so many good hybrids is certainly one of the best specie Rhododendrons; originating from Japan.
	Here also is the stunning blue Rhododendron augustinii beside a fabulous Rhododendron 'Minterne Cinnkeys', smothered in lovely tubular orange to red flowers. We try to propagate this plant every year but the few cuttings we take are snapped up before they can get to any size.
	Rhododendron triflorum can be almost luminescent in the early morning light, it can be seen opposite the seat in the Rhododendron dell.
	There's always a faithful dog with us on our walks; this is Zember.
	Rhododendron bureavii here is a splendid example of a Rhododendron which looks good all the year round with its thick indumentum under its leaves.
	We have created a small platform here to spy over the stream at Lysichiton camtchatcensis; the white 'Skunk Cabbage' which produces these two feet tall leaves. With it is the bronzy Rodgersia podophylla.
	In total contrast a red Rhododendron 'David' flowers above.
	Walking down the path back towards the pond but keeping right to take you up the hill to the Woodland Walk.
	Rhododendron cinnabarinum 'Roylei' is a favourite with its stunning red pendulous bell shaped flowers. David grows many of the R. cinnabarinum species finding that some exposure to the elements keeps them clear of the dreaded powdery mildew. We have a good number of plants coming along in the plant nursery, wild collected from Nepal, many of which are really good flowering reds.
	Rhododendron 'Hotei' can be seen in amongst new planting on the bank. It is a favourite yellow hybrid and is proving very hardy here.
	The woodland walk is cool and colourful with interest around every corner. It is important not to just fill the garden up with exotics but to allow the natural woodland to dominate.
	Although it is a little steep at first it is well worth the effort. It is a delight to see the unfurling of the ferns in spring.
	You'll see the blood red flowers of Rhododendron barbatum with its red shiny bark on the left just after the first woodland bridge. Its one of the earliest reds to flower here and making a good show every year but it has taken over ten years to mature.
	The compact dense habit of Rhododendron 'May Day' makes a plant of good habit growing much wider than high.
	Rhododendron fortunei a wonderfully, sweetly scented Rhododendron with good pink flowers mid season.
	Rhododendron griersonianum is the parent of so many good hybrids.
	Almost at the top of the wood we grow another Rhododendron 'Loderi King George'. We rate this as probably the most spectacular of all the hybrids with its huge exquisitely scented flowers perfuming the air throughout the woodland in the warm spring sun. If you have the space then it really should be at the top of your shopping list.
	Rhododendron 'Nancy Evans' is such a good yellow hybrid. The pink buds open to a beautiful clear yellow and the new bronzy growth is an added attraction to this hardy plant, another 'must have' plant for every garden.
	White is so important in a garden's overall structure, it creates space and distance . Here Azalea 'Persil' lightens up a dark corner and it has a light sweet scent.

Gallery of Views from above the Waterfall

	There's a mass of colour to be seen when returning to the high bank on the other side and looking back down towards the waterfall. We plant for foliage and texture so even in full summer the gardens look attractive and there is much to see.
	A little further along, the planting is always being added to, but we are always trying to keep it looking natural.
	At a different time, the full extent of the planting in the Rhododendron Dell can be seen from above. Keep in mind that the main planting of the garden only began in 1986; the pace of the growth has been exponential. With the rapid growth of some 1,800 trees planted as windbreaks, many have done their job and are now being thinned out.

Changing aspects.

The post card view over the pond and garden from the high bank beneath the beech trees. This is a popular resting place before descending down over the arched bridge to return to the house and Tea Room.

Located in the distant hills are the 'Bow Stones' and beyond is Lyme Park.

Visitors will notice that some of the beech trees have had to be felled as they were badly damaged by winter gales.

You can see the development of the area around the pond from the top bank.

	From the stone bridge looking up the Rhododendron Dell the colours are always changing throughout the season.
	Up the lawn towards the house again you will see the Geranium Bed with many different types of Geraniums and Roses flowering in July and August and a few rarities in the background.
	Geranium pratense 'Splish-splash' is one of Elizabeth's favourites.
	Working round to the right to the upper area, to the left there is a mass of Alstroemeria aurantiaca, the Peruvian Lily; not to everyone's liking but it makes a glorious show given some space.
	On the slanting bed Celmisia spectabilis and C. coriacea thrive along with dwarf Rhododendrons and other speciality plants. The Celmisias are from New Zealand and need full sun but the soil needs to be moisture retentive.
	The conservatory houses some interesting, less hardy plants such as the beautiful Magnolia grandiflora 'Exmouth' and Paeonia clusii. We do ask visitors not to enter the conservatory as precious plants in there are so easily damaged. We do not tend to sell plants which are not hardy outside in our climate which can be quite harsh at 1,000 feet and above.
	In June the delicious scents of roses can be enjoyed as you have refreshments from the Tea Room on the patio at the back of the house.
	A pink floriferous groundcover Cheshire Rose hangs over the Azalea bed in July and August.
	The Gardens remain interesting and colourful through the Autumn; something which must be considered when planning a garden for year round interest. These are mostly Acer palmatum cultivars chosen for their habit and autumn tints.
And when it snows it's beautiful.
We've been here since December 1976. Deciduous plants are holding on to leaves later into the Autumn, our Winters are becoming milder, Spring arrives earlier and more tender plants are surviving with us at 1,000ft. Dunge Valley Rhododendron Gardens is a unique project undertaken by one old man with no formal training in gardening and a very tolerant wife! "Your pleasure is our pleasure." top