The ‘Gardens’ area at Natural Surroundings is divided into 18 demonstration gardens, varying in size from the tiny Bog Garden to the more expansive Woodland Garden and Reptile Refuge. All of them lie, however, within the range of sizes found in the vast majority of private gardens, making them easy to relate to.
Our gardens have two main aims: to demonstrate wildlife-friendly gardening and to showcase plants.We love plants in all their myriad colours, shapes and sizes and all of our gardens are designed to show them off to best advantage. For this we use a variety of planting schemes, both formal and informal, as well as pots, troughs, containers, cold frames and greenhouses. As well as a wide selection of British wild flowers, we also grow plants from around the Northern Hemisphere – Europe, eastern Asia and North America. Not only are these interesting and attractive, they are often almost as good for wildlife as native British species. Follow the links below to find out more about our gardens.
The Tea Garden
A great splace to sit and relax, but there ar many interesting things to see too.
Poppy Garden
A 'taster' for our extensive demonstration gardens, and you will be surprised how varied poppies are!
The Wildlife Garden
The size and shape of a typical small garden, demonstrating just how much you can do to attract wildlife with limited space.
Kitchen Garden
Some of our favourite plants displayed in troughs, cold-frames and tiered beds.
Woodland Garden
Wildlife-friendly plants from around the Northern Hemisphere.
Bog Garden
Britain has many of the world’s most important bogs, just one of many reasons to go 'peat-free'.
Creepy-crawly Garden
Dank and decay are very important!
The Orchard
Old apple trees underplanted with a mixture of colourful perennials..
Butterfly Garden
Give butterflies a home for the all of their lives, all year-round..
Herb Garden
Plants with real and imagined uses as dyes, medicines and flavourings.
Bee Garden
Love bees in your garden.
Moth Garden
Natural Surroundings is home to more than 600 species of moth.
The Seaside Garden
Plants that can survive wind and salt spray. Page under constrction - text and pics coming soon.
Arable Weeds
Dug-over each spring and sown with annuals.
Wildlife Pond
Big or small, a pond is a mus for wildlife if you have the space.
Reptile Refuge
Structures and habitats to shelter reptiles.
