Visit to Sarum Church, Worpleston

The garden at Sarum is a rectangular 2.5-acre (1 hectare) space surrounding a bungalow which has been developed over the past 30 years by its present owners. The 1997 original garden consisted of three distinct areas of rough grassy open space, two birch and oak seedling wooded areas with Scots pines dotted in and about. A couple of groups of Scots pines on their own, one roughly central border containing a few shrubs, flowering cherries, beech, oak, Japanese maple and holly with a huge Choisya ternata. The soil type is acid sandy silt and the plants that have been planted since therefore reflect this with many Camellias, Magnolias, species Rhododendrons and conifers. The owners moved 90% of their previous garden to this space in 1997 and have been adding to it ever since, long ago running out of room but sensible pruning and a new found willingness to dig out and replant in places where needed enables them to continue developing and changing the garden. The garden reflects the owner’s love of collecting and propagating plants and contains many unusual plants both purchased, gifted and swapped with other enthusiasts.

Sarum is predominantly a spring flowering garden with the Camellias taking centre stage in March along with the Magnolias and species Rhododendrons but there are also many Hostas, hardy Fuchsias, bulbs of many kinds from Snowdrops to Gladioli, Ferns, Trilliums, Salvias, Cyclamen, Dahlia and Anemone to a name a few plants that decorate other seasons of the year. There are also many trees and shrubs that enjoy the acid soil. There is a significant collection of Chamaecyparis obtusa cultivars, and many of the new Mahonia introductions together with an ample collection of reticulata Camellias not often seen in abundance in public gardens. The owners have been lucky enough to inherit the contents of one entire garden and to have been able to save a lot of the contents of several plant collections previously belonging to friends who have passed away and through the generosity and to the relief of their widows and families.

There are two ponds both created since 1999, one informal with bog garden plants surrounding it and one formal within a terrace. There is also a pergola with many climbing plants including Roses, Akebia, Clematis, Trachelospermum and Wisteria together with a terrace which wraps around the building