Bonus garden added!
The Old Rectory hjas been included in our list of gardens, and although it wasn’t be on the printed programmes, it was well signposted and is on the short walk between the church and Corner Cottage.
Church Cottage 
A peaceful garden overlooked by the church tower with seating areas such as a lavender bordered terrace. A new rose bed full of Olivia Austin roses is a joy. There is an iris border, a herbaceous border and productive veg garden. Climbing roses and clematis abound. A new shady bed with green shrubs and foxgloves is in its second year. Link stakes and plants will be on sale in the garden.
Riversdale
The garden was designed in early 2000 to include space to grow fruit and vegetables as well as to provide a safe haven for wildlife. It has matured beautifully since then and offers a lot of variety and colour all year around, to the delight of the present owners who took it over a year ago. We grow food organically, make our own compost and experiment with a no dig method. Come and explore the gardens many nooks and crannies, or just sit down and rest in a corner in this peaceful haven.
3 Church Acre
A back garden with flowers/herbs in pots and containers, raised veggie beds and greenhouse. Seating areas for anyone who feels the need for a bit of a rest. Jams & chutneys will be for sale. Use of a toilet available if necessary – just ask the householder.
Bush Farm
A one-acre family garden buzzing with bees, butterflies and wildlife. It’s not uncommon for us to have roe deer, pheasants, buzzards and bats visiting the garden and newts are resident in our pond. The garden provides us with fruit for most of the year as well as herbs and the pleasure of a wide range of flowers and shrubs. We would claim the best view in Flowton over the surrounding countryside from the bottom of the garden.
Little Park Nursery
A nursery until it was reluctantly closed in 1995, now turned over to a garden of 1½ acres. Four ponds are managed naturally and have attracted all the usual pond life; the newts succeeded in attracting a Kingfisher two years ago. The nursery area is cut as a meadow with walkways in order to attract butterflies. Buckthorns have been planted to provide food for brimstone butterfly caterpillars. The old inner car park is a butterfly hot spot, the main nectar source being Marjoram. Growing vegetables and fruit has proved difficult in the past, but now they are protected by a large cage. Local badgers are regular visitors. Pesticides are not used at all and herbicides used sparingly. We have planted many species and varieties of trees and shrubs, with over 250 varieties on the nursery. Some perennials and trees are still propagated, particularly Hostas and Irises; some will be available for sale
Grove Cottage
Over five years we have created half a dozen new borders and a mix of semi-formal, shady and wilder areas alongside a new vegetable and fruit patch. There is plenty of colour and structure and several places to sit and rest. Lots of wildlife too – 63 bird, 25 butterfly and 250 moth species recorded so far. Some plants for sale.
Corner Cottage
A very old garden, developed over the years from a central path with veg either side to a lawn and beds of mainly trees, conifers and shrubs, with some topiary, and a small vegetable patch. We believe the boundary hedge is over 100 years old and the wall is Victorian. There are many pot plants near the house including colourful geraniums, and a conservatory of tender plants. You will find plenty of garden seats and benches to sit and enjoy the Suffolk views if you wish. Some artwork may also be on sale.
Tanga Lodge
This garden has evolved over the last 40+ years from a neglected plot through kids play area via a labour of love to its present form and, as with all gardens, continues to evolve.
Brookfield
We created the garden 12-15 years ago, planting trees and hedges, installing metalwork and creating the borders. The aim was to give height and structure (just a lawn when we arrived), link the house to the garden and make the garden inviting for us and wildlife. The bird boxes are always used (though we have never had a house martin in the clay nests) and much to our surprise, we had a hedgehog in residence in the hedgehog house a few years ago. We regularly see bats too. We have given up with vegetables (too fiddly) and now plant annuals in the four raised beds for the benefit of insects. The margins of the garden are left wild (and messy). Next step is to make a pond….
Flowton Hall
An extensive and delightful garden developed over the last 20 years from an overgrown hayfield. As well as a small vegetable and soft fruit garden there is a large herbaceous bed complete with flower-clad arbour, two ponds, an orchard with old style apple trees and myriad roses and honeysuckles.
Camperdown Cottage
A four-acre garden designed for wildlife, with some formal terraced areas. Look out for the Stone Pine left of the entrance with its giant pine cones and the Metasequoia- Dawn Redwood, at the bottom of the garden. The walled vegetable garden, on the right as you enter, is worth a visit. There is a deep lily pond down the hill and a stream, so please keep an eye on young children. Dogs must be kept on leads, as there is an active badger sett in the garden. Mown grass paths lead you round. Give yourself plenty of time for the visit.
There are lots more pictures in the slideshow on the home page – take a look!