Perennial is the name of the Gardeners Royal Benevolent Society the charity for ‘Helping Horticulturists in Need Since 1839’. They have an interesting programme of events for 2009 and a selection of garden related gifts to support the charity. Last summer I visited Perennial’s own garden near Leeds called York Gate and found the volunteers very attentive and helpful. Best of all was the plants propagated from within the garden that were available for sale at economic prices.

York Gate

Approaching the garden through an old church yard in Adel and straight down a short lane you cross the narrow road into the one acre garden. ‘Created by the Spencer family during the second half of the twentieth century, and bequeathed to Perennial in 1994, it is a garden of immense style and craftsmanship, widely recognised as one of the most innovative small gardens of the period. The white garden is most interesting.

The garden is divided by yew and beech hedges into a series of smaller gardens, each with its own theme and style. From the formality of the Herb Garden, with its topiary to the Dell with its half-hidden pathways and stream, every area has an intimacy and charm of its own. Traditional materials are used with extraordinary creativity and invention. From pretty paths to pergolas, detailing throughout is exquisite. Evergreens, clipped into strong architectural shapes are used to spectacular effect throughout the garden.’

There was an attractive white garden with plenty of ideas to take away and try for yourself.

Admission was £3.50 or a season ticket costs £8.50 and the bright sunny day made the cost seem insignificant. the garden is only open Thursdays and Sundays 2nd April until 27 September.

 

Those were my observations back in February 2009. Since the I have supported the charity in a small way, buying from the catalogue and revisiting the garden. I am disappointed that I am forbidden to use my photographs of the garden without written permission so you will have to visit for yourself to see the key features. On my last trip I was inspired to grow more small slow growing conifers which York Gate plant amongst some large pebbles.