The National Trust’s Mottisfont Abbey, Hampshire, holds the National Collection of pre-1900 old shrub roses in its beautiful walled garden. The virtual tour of Mottisfont’s rose garden brings back memories for HRG members of a delightful visit there.
HRG members gathered there one June evening in 2018, when Jonny Norton, the new head gardener, welcomed the group and answered questions about cultivation and maintenance of the collection. He was joined by Graham Stone, RHS Associate of Honour, British Empire medal holder, HRG committee member and Mottisfont’s former head gardener, who had worked there for nearly 40 years, starting under Graham Stuart Thomas, the collection holder.
The gardens are cultivated without irrigation and display a stunning combination of roses and herbaceous perennials. Members were joined by Viky Gal, gardener; they enjoyed their visit so much that they were the last members of the public to leave.
