Perennial, the charity for people working in, or retired from, the horticulture industry, has announced its Suffolk Garden, Fullers Mill, is a regional winner in the RHS Partner Garden of the Year for the Midlands and East Anglia region, as voted by RHS members.
Fullers Mill is an enchanting and tranquil seven-acre creation on the banks of the River Lark. It combines a beautiful site of light dappled woodland with a plantsman’s collection of unusual shrubs, perennials, lilies and marginal plants.
It is a garden of truly year-round interest. The garden was created by the late Bernard Tickner MBE (1924-2017). He moved to Fullers Mill in 1958 and spent more than 50 years creating the garden you see today from rough scrub and woodland.
Annie Dellbridge, the Head Gardener of Fullers Mill, said “I am absolutely delighted that Perennial’s Fullers Mill Garden has received the award. Not only are we all proud that the visitors to the garden love it as much as we do. The garden staff and apprentices are overwhelmed that they have taken the time to vote for us. Making a garden that has year round interest is only possible with the help from our fabulous and hard working volunteers who help in the tea room and garden.”
Example comments from RHS member voters:
"It has a deep peace about it, and it’s a plant persons garden"
"A beautiful place for all the family to enjoy. An absolute credit to gardening charity Perennial."
It is a woodland delight. It is a place of enchantment and reflection."
Visitors at Fullers Mill can explore the magical gardens around the Mill Pond planted with massed primulas, the majestic displays of lilies in the Top Garden, the Strip with its bed of sun-loving plants and views across the lake, and the Low Garden where the mix of shady areas and sunny glades offers ideal conditions for a whole range of charming woodland plants.
Peter Newman, Chief Executive, Perennial, comments: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award from the Royal Horticultural Society that recognises the hard work of the Perennial team at Fullers Mill. Annie Dellbridge and her team of gardeners and volunteers are committed to the long-term preservation of this waterside gem maintaining the garden for the enjoyment of all. They are working especially hard this year to extend the garden opening throughout November and up to December 18th.”
Fullers Mill Garden, the Bothy Shop and Tea Room reopened for Winter on October 31st through to December 18th, 11am – 4pm on Saturdays only. Booking is not required for Winter Openings. Further details here: https://perennial.org.uk/garden/fullers-mill-garden/
If anyone working directly with plants, trees, flowers or grass has a problem, however large or small, they can pick up the phone to Perennial and know that the charity will make sure they receive the support they need - for themselves and their family. Perennial assists with financial support, benefits and debt advice, training and career support, mental health and wellbeing support, a legal helpline and support for families. As well as its range of frontline support services, Perennial provides services and information to help prevent people getting into deeper difficulty.
The team understands the devastating impact of bereavement, ill health, homelessness, redundancy and family breakdown and appreciates that anyone can experience financial, mental and physical health difficulties. Life’s challenges can be overwhelming, but Perennial is always on hand to provide guidance and support.
