Hell of a display awaits
Take a chance to get outside while the still bare
stems of the dogwood are glowing and the shy hellebore flowers are
peeping from the borders. What’s On found out more about the Winter
Colour Tours at Hadlow College’s Broadview
Gardens.
We are lucky enough in Kent to have the National Collection of
Hellebores right on our doorstep – and now is the time to see these
strange and wonderful winter blooms.
Beautiful at any time, visitors to Broadview Gardens at Hadlow
College near Tonbridge can find out more about the magnificent
collection and also delight in the wonderful swathes of early
spring bulbs and brilliant winter stems of cornus, or dogwood. The
hour-long Winter Colour Tours are led by head gardener and former
Hadlow College student Alex Rennie, who leads a team of 12 looking
after 85 acres.
Alex, whose previous job credits include working as a gardener
for the US embassy, said: “We try to make the tours interesting for
experienced gardeners, new gardeners and those who simply enjoy
visiting other people’s gardens.
“Our National Collection of Hellebores is an important part of
the tour and we talk about where to plant them – and how to look
after them – and of course, we always have time to answer
questions.
“We have a wonderful collection of spring flowering bulbs and,
for colour, it is difficult to beat the cornus and willow – when
the sun is shining they positively glow. The lakes have a different
type of beauty at this time of year and we often visit them, they
are good areas for wildlife.
“Visitors who don’t wish to take a conducted tour can wander
around the gardens by themselves. We open the gardens to the public
free of charge seven days every week.”
He said visitors usually round off the visit with a sit down in
the Broadview Tearoom, a rural enterprise award winner, which is
open every day.
On Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24, and also on
Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, at 11am and 2pm, an entrance
fee of £3 pays for the expert-led Winter Colour Tour of Hadlow
College’s Broadview Gardens in their winter glory. Accompanied
children join in free. For details and to book visit Broadview
Garden Centre, Hadlow College, Tonbridge Road, Hadlow or ring 01732
853211 or 01732 852243. You can also visit www.hadlow.ac.uk
22/02/13
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