Stonehouse Gardening Club at Westbury Water Gardens.

ON JULY 4, the Club went for an evening’s visit to the first ever garden that the National Trust acquired in its own right.

These unique Dutch water gardens have been restored close to the late 17th century design, with three long rectangular ponds filled with huge carp, artificial islands, original stonework, two sweet pavilions, a formal parterre garden, a glorious walled area full of period roses, clematis and perennials, and the tallest tulip tree you ever saw.

Guided by the head gardener, we learnt a lot: that the rhubarb of the day was grown for the large root which was ground up and used as a laxative snuff; potatoes were used initially for animal fodder; white raspberries produce yellow fruits which birds don’t recognise as ripe; that the Dutch style of planting was not a massed border of colour, but individual different plants spaced out for your appreciation; only eat medlars when they are rotten, (and they taste awful.) Brick walls at that time were the “must have” material of choice; stone pineapples are a sign of wealth, happiness and good fortune.

Further evening visits are planned for next year, but the next meeting of the club is back at Stonehouse Community Centre on Wednesday, August 1, at 7.30pm, on Growing Lawns and their alternatives.

Further events include a day coach trip on Saturday, September 8, this time to see late summer at lovely Waterperry gardens near Oxford, with its eight acres of landscaped herbaceous planting, walled garden, museum, plant centre, café and shop.

Some coach seats still available.

(Contact Clive Boardman for information on 01453 821809)