The owners of a property in the old hamlet of Harry Stoke are opening their garden to the public for two days this month to raise funds for a number of charities.
The event forms part of the National Garden Scheme (NGS), which this year will see over 3,500 gardens opening on selected dates to benefit numerous good causes.
The garden at The Yews, in Harry Stoke Road (a quiet lane midway between Bristol Parkway and UWE), extends to about 1 acre and has been developed by the present owners Dr Barbara Laue & Dr Chris Payne since 1987.
It is named after the over 300-year-old yew trees that feature prominently in the layout. In the front is a formal area with a pond, a gazebo, herbaceous borders and many pieces of clipped box, yew and lonicera. “See if you can spot ‘Anubis’ among the balls, cones and pyramids,” says Barbara.
Apart from the old yews, other trees of interest are ginkoes, birches, hollies, eucalyptus, corkscrew hazel, Indian bean tree, Cornelian cherry and recently acquired variegated privet ‘lollipops’.
Round the back you can explore the vegetable garden, apple orchard and greenhouse. And beyond that a developing wildflower meadow and the all-important compost area.
There will be tea, cakes and plants for sale. “Do check out the plants – they’ll be much cheaper than in a garden centre,” says Barbara. The benefiting charities include St Peter’s Hospice and Bristol-based For-ethiopa.
Event details
Opening: Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd May 2022, 2-5pm.
Entry: Adults £5, under-18s free.
Where: Harry Stoke Road BS34 8QH. Access from Great Stoke Way to the middle of Harry Stoke Road. View a location map (Google Maps).
Parking: In Dave Shore’s paddock, just after turning into Harry Stoke Road. Or from the nearby retail centre, walk up the road by The Range and in the bend follow the footpath straight ahead through to Harry Stoke Road and you will come out opposite the garden.
Access: Sadly not really suitable for wheelchairs – gravel, grass, uneven paving and slopes.
More information: Event page on the NGS website
This article originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal magazine (on page 19).
