[Inspiration] Inspiration Page – 2023 NGS

It’s the ideal time to plan your perfect spring garden, and there is no better way to get inspiration than by visiting gardens open with the National Garden Scheme. The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands. 

As the garden opening season comes to a close for 2023, why not visit their website for spring flowering inspiration. It is packed full of helpful resources, and you can explore their exciting virtual tours to spark your creativity in your own garden. 

And while you're planning ahead for 2024, don't forget to pre-order your National Garden Scheme Garden Visitor’s Handbook which will arrive hot of the press in February. This essential handbook contains all the information you need to plan your visits to thousands of gardens, opening their gates with the National Garden Scheme next year. With hundreds of new gardens opening, there will be brand-new horticultural gems to explore and old favourites to revisit.

special offer

All Sarah Raven supporters can enjoy a £3 discount on the Handbook by entering the code SR24 at the checkout

Your visits to a National Garden Scheme garden make a difference - thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors the National Garden Scheme have donated over £67 million to nursing and health charities since 1927, and in 2022 donated £3.11 million to beneficiaries including Carers Trust, Hospice UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Parkinson’s UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

They can only donate such life-changing amounts by having wonderful gardens to share. They are constantly seeking out new and beautiful gardens to open, whether that be rolling country acres, cottage gardens, urban gardens, wildlife-friendly spaces or community allotments. They all offer a unique and very personal experience to the garden-loving visitors and help raise money for great causes.

You can help by opening your own much-loved garden. This might seem daunting at first, but if you’re passionate about your garden and your friends and family tell you how lovely it is, then it’s very likely other people will want to visit your outside space too. By opening your garden for the National Garden Scheme, you’re not only giving people a great day out – you’re also raising money to help change lives. What’s more, you’d be joining a community of other like-minded garden owners and volunteers, all passionate about great gardens and great cake! 

Email: hello@ngs.org.uk or telephone: 01483 211535

time for tulips

If you’re thinking about opening your garden next year, now is the time to get ahead and plant your tulip bulbs for a showstopping tulip display in Spring.

Planting tulip bulbs is one of Sarah's favourite jobs: "I love their big statement colours, their interesting shapes and the life they bring to borders and containers”

From sumptuous rich oranges to bold purples and cashmere pinks, there’s a tulip out there for you. Single varieties will look seriously striking when planted in abundance, or why not mix and match different containers and group together for maximum impact. From patios, terraces, and balconies to footpaths and entranceways, introducing bright and brilliant colour and unbeatable scent will elevate any outside space and inject early spring cheer. 

For a limited time only, National Garden Scheme members receive an exclusive 15% off tulip bulbs and other best-loved spring flowering bulbs.

Offer ends 31st Dec 2023. Only applicable against full price items and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.