Opening the garden gates

Roz Los knows all about it. When she moved to Ellerker House, at Everingham, near York, she started her new garden by planting three cherry trees as presents to her three sons.

Many years later, the garden now has five acres packed with spring bulbs, mature trees, formal lawn and an extensive grass area. There is a woodland walkway around a lake, several seating areas with views of the garden, and herbaceous borders. It took a lot of work to create and it takes a lot of work to maintain.

Roz admits that her pet hate is weeding – which she describes as a never-ending chore. “My best gardening tip is, not surprisingly, to never get behind with the weeding,” she says.

And her favourite plant? “I don’t have one favourite plant – there are so many through the seasons that I love for different reasons.”

But she is proud of her garden, and that’s why she opens it to the public to help raise money for the National Gardens Scheme – and a host of charities.

And so, tomorrow from 10am until 4pm, Ellerker House’s acres will be available for all the world to see. And if that wasn’t enough, there will also be a rare plant fair with specialist nurseries selling a wide range of interesting and unusual plants.

The offerings will include perennials, shrubs, trees, alpines, hostas, ferns and bulbs as well as providing a chance for visitors to pick up valuable advice on growing them.

Ellerker House was once the office belonging to the Duke of Norfolk’s
estate and the garden consists of 
parkland which home to many 
beautiful mature trees and a formal
lawn surrounded by colour-themed borders planted for textures and colour throughout the year with a variety of unusual plants.

An archway planted with old English roses leads towards the lake, which is surrounded by a woodland pathway made from tree roots and stumps.

A traditional oak and thatch hut has been positioned to allow visitors the perfect view of the lake and surrounding garden.

In addition to this there is a woodland walk exhibiting a carpet of bluebells.

As well as tomorrow’s event, the garden is open to private groups.
For more details, visit [email protected] 
or phone Roz on 01430 861465.