Winning garden open to visitors

Thursday 3rd July 2008, 6:00AM BST.

Mary Bower with chief judge and plantsman Roy Lancaster

Focal points and vistas have been well planned. It is hard to say Mary is a collector of particular types of plants, as there is so much variety of plant material. What I can say is she is a collector of the best plants you can buy.

Chief judge and plantsman Roy Lancaster is always enthralled by a visit to Bridgwalton House to see such a marvellous collection of plants arranged with such skill.

Most of the garden is informal, but with carefully blended formal sections worked in. It has to be one of the best private gardens in Shropshire and well worth a visit for those who have never seen it before.

Bridgwalton House is open on Sunday, July 13 from 2-6pm. It will be signed off the Shrewsbury to Bridgnorth road on the Bridgnorth side of Morville.

Other gardens open this weekend include: Tan-y-Llyn in Meifod on July 5 and 6 for the NGS (2-5pm, admission £2.50) and Brownhill House at Ruyton-XI-Towns on July 8 for the NGS (1.30-5pm, admission £3).

2008 Garden of the Year Competition: A reminder that entries must be in by July 11 for this year’s competition. Send three dated photographs of your garden with a completed entry form to Star Promotions, The Shropshire Star, Ketley, Telford TF1 5HU.