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Garden Owners,
Please copy this information and paste it into an email to:   wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com

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Regards,
Armchair Travel Co Ltd
http://www.armchair-travel.com
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Garden Name: Ivy Cottage
Last Modified: 10/02/2010
Garden ID: 0308

pic: 0308_ivyCottage.jpg

Owner: Alan Stevens
Address:
Aller Lane
Lower Ansty
Dorchester
Postcode: DT2 7PX
County: Dorset

tel: 01258-880053
fax: 01258-880053
website: 
email: 

Features: 
A small sparkling stream that runs through the centre of the garden. 
A wide range of trees, shrubs and perennials, and a well laid out kitchen garden.

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
May to September. Thursdays. Open 11am to 5pm.

Best Times of Year to Visit: 


To see: 


National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Adult £3; Child free

Parking: No
Lavatories: No
Disabled Access: No
Shop: No
Plants for Sale: No
Lunches: No
Teas: No
Refreshments: No
Picnics: No
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: No

Other Facilities:



Designer: Ann & Alan Stevens
Description of Garden:
The centrepiece of the garden at Ivy Cottage is a small, sparkling, never-failing stream flowing through the middle of this informal cottage garden of almost two acres, which surrounds the picturesque 18th century thatched cottage. Borders along the banks of the stream provide ideal growing conditions for moisture-loving primulas, iris, lobelias, rodgersia and gunnera, as well as ferns that enjoy this damp, cool position.

Large herbaceous borders give endless interest and colour from Spring through to late Autumn and lie on either side of the main lawn that sweeps down to the pond and stream. These borders are filled with a great variety of bulbs and perennials including arunceis, hardy geraniums, phlox and oriental poppies. From late Summer Japanese anemones, physostegia, tricyrths and autumn flowering bulbs give a good display of late colour.

A small bridge leads to the well laid-out kitchen garden and the woodland area beyond. Large mature trees underplanted with shrubs and ground-cover plants create ideal conditions for birds. Many plants in the garden are specially grown to encourage wildlife, including many varieties of buddleias.


History: 
Ivy Cottage dates from the late 18th century when it formed a small part of an estate that was broken up in 1851. Another cottage stood where the kitchen garden now is but fell down about 70 years ago. Small parcels of land were gradually bought in over the years to increase the size of the property. The Stevens bought the cottage in 1964 when the garden was in a very overgrown state and have, over the ensuing years, developed the garden to its present glorious state.

Local Inns: 
Fox Inn, Ansty
Brace of Pheasants, Plush
Hambro Arms, Milton Abbas

Accomodation: 
Fox Inn, Ansty
Stourcastle Lodge, Sturminster Newton
Yalbury Cottage Hotel & Restaurant, Lower Bockhampton, Dorchester

Restaurants: 


Village/Town/Sightseeing: