Bryan’s Ground

 Some gardens just make your heart sing. Bryan’s Ground is one of those amazing places. It’s a heady mixture of formal, intimate rooms (about three acres of these),

and planting chaos, where self-seeders are left to do their own thing (Fennel, teasels and Inula (?) above),

blousey perennials wilfully flop into pathways

and climbers scramble up old bedsteads.

I first read about Bryan’s Ground on The Patient Gardeners blog, some years ago, and it wasn’t until last July that I finally managed to find my way over to see the gardens which are on the Welsh border about 20 miles from Hay-on-Wye.

Originally I’d been wowed by an image of a whole room full of Irises (have a look at Michelle’s pics of these) and planned to visit in May, but by the time I’d coordinated my plans with Veronica from Through the Garden Gate, summer was upon us and the irises (above) were well and truly over. We didn’t mind at all.

I’m sure whenever you visit, there’ll be gorgeous planting to see,

and sculpture and follies aplenty to enjoy.

This truly inspiring garden has been created by David Wheeler and Simon Dorrell (who also are the writers of the quarterly Hortus magazine) since 1993.

At every turn there are playful vistas and great planting ideas,
and I know it’s a garden that I’ll want to return to time and time again. Veronica felt the same.
Once you’ve wound your way all the different rooms, paths then lead you into the arboretum and another five acres with a large pond,
and many specimen trees.
It’s a lovely calm spot.

When you’ve finished your wanderings, there’s also delicious cakes to tempt you and a small nursery area. Plan your visit well, as Bryan’s Ground is only open Sunday and Monday afternoons, this year from mid April until the end of July. Group visits can also be arranged by appointment. Most definitely worth making the trip.