ONE of Britain?s finest gardens has come up with an innovative scheme to promote the message that West Country gardens offer stunning year-round colours. The Garden House ? described as ?a living, breathing national treasure? by TV?s Alan Titchmarsh ? has launched a ?2005 Passport? which enables supporters to save money each time they return through the year, culminating in a free visit. Matt Bishop, head gardener at the ten-acre estate near Yelverton, said: ?Many people think West Country gardens are notable for their spring colour. ?But while we at The Garden House have a world-famous collection of spring plants ranging from rare rhododendrons to unusual bulbs like our thousands of erythroniums, we are not just about springtime. ?Colours just keep coming from our 6,000 varieties, from wisteria in May to herbaceous meadow planting through the summer ? such as in our South African garden ? right through to the glorious shades of our glade of Japanese maples in the autumn. ?The passport scheme means visitors can plan four visits, saving money each time they come back, until they pay nothing at all.? New projects for 2005 include the restoration of the walled garden?s lower terraces and the completion of a new dovecote as a memorial to benefactors who funded a gardening scholarship administered at The Garden House. Visitors are also able to see the refurbished front garden, where Matt has designed an exciting new planting scheme and created new pathways and views while conserving much of the historic planting and design for which The Garden House is famed. The Garden House is open every day from March 1 to October 31, 10.30am to 5pm. Passports are available to every visitor.
