A STUNNING country garden and landscaped meadow is being opened up to the public as part of a national charity initiative.

Wickets, a one-and-a-half acre garden in Langley Upper Green, has many features: wide, informal mixed borders, shrub roses and alliums; a restored lily pond with ‘Monet’ bridge sheltered by groups of silver birch; many seating areas including gravel garden and ‘Teletubby Hill’ which overlooks rolling countryside.

Owner Susan Copeland, the county organiser for the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) - which supports a number of charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Help the Hospices - and her husband Doug have transformed Wickets since arriving in 1990.

She told the Reporter: “Wickets was completely devoid of any plants apart from a couple of trees.

“We’ve planted hedges and tree belts to shelter the garden which has gradually developed over the years in a very informal curvilinear design.

We have a passion for roses and our aim has been to incorporate these in relaxed planting schemes with perennials, shrubs and under planting. We have hundreds of English shrub roses.

“Climbers and ramblers festoon old apple and cherry trees.”

And that’s not all – the one acre landscaped meadow has evolved from a ploughed field into an area full of interest with poses and avenues. It also boasts a large lily pond surrounded by masses of wild flowers and grasses.

The pond has been newly planted after renovation in 2010, and is sheltered by groups of silver birch and overlooked by a French inspired pergola festooned with roses, grapes and hops.

• Wickets opens on May 28, June 15, 23 and 28 (2-5pm). Admission is �3, children free. Homemade teas will be served.

• On Saturday July 2 Mrs Copeland is holding a wine and music evening from 5.30pm-9pm. Music will be provided by guitar and mandolin duo Cambridge Caf� Musicians. Admission on the gate is �5, children free.

For more information about Wickets visit essexgardens.co.uk