By Annie Bullen

Apple Court

It is five years ago now that Angela Meads and her husband Charles bought Apple Court, a much-loved and admired garden and nursery near Lymington.
Ill-health had meant that this beautiful garden, designed with architectural precision by plantsman Roger Grounds, had grown fuzzy round the edges and needed a great deal of work. Even though she was still working as financial director of a large company, Angela took the plunge and divided her time between Essex and Hampshire.

Hard work is something that Angela and Charles are used to and, with their help of their family, they’ve cleared weeds, pruned, re-planted, propagated and sharpened up the edges of the labour intensive garden.

This shows in the way that she has brought Apple Court back into sharp focus, adding some touches of her own including a quiet and authentic Japanese garden. Now she has retired from company life, she has devoted herself full time to Apple Court, with its oval White Garden, colour-themed borders, famous daylily beds and pergola. The nursery too, which specializes in daylilies, has been brought back to vivid life.

Location: Hordle near Lymington, off the A337 New Milton road. The garden is sign-posted to the right at Downton.
For admission prices and opening times, please check with the garden direct.
Telephone: 01590 642130

Alverstoke Crescent Gardens

Here’s another garden which has been rescued by those who admire it. This pleasure garden used to belong to the residents of Crescent Road, who paid an annual fee to maintain the terrace walk with its sea views, ornamental shrubberies, lawns and trees. That was in the 19th century when there was also a small reading room and bath house here. Things fell into decay until, in 1988, Gosport Borough Council, the County Council, Hampshire Gardens Trust, English Heritage and residents got together to restore the basic structure, including the paths and railings. Now the gardens, with a new pool and fountain at their heart are once again a pleasure and open for all to enjoy every day.

Location: Crescent Road, Gosport PO12 2DH; one mile south of Gosport; follow signs for Stokes Bay from A32. At small roundabout alongside bay, turn left in Anglesey Road and you’ll see signs to the gardens on the right.
For opening times, please check with the garden direct.
Admission: By donation
Telephone: Gosport Borough Council 02392 586403

MacPennys Woodland Garden and Nurseries

More than eighty years ago a Marcia Ashley-Corbett raised drought-resistant plants at her Bransgore nursery and sold them for one penny each. The name ‘MacPennys’ stuck and the nursery, now owned and run by Tim and Vivien Lowndes, whose family bought the nursery in 1934, is a firm favourite.

The woodland walks, (raising money for the NGS) are open every day except over Christmas, and visitors will see many of the rare plants, trees and shrubs that can be bought, growing in fine form. An large old gravel pit was converted to make this part of the garden, which is worth a visit at any time of the year.

Location: Burley Road, Bransgore, Christchurch BH23 8DB between Christchurch and Burley. 
For opening times, please check with the garden direct.
Admission: By donation.
Telephone: 01425 672348