Shropham Vicarage, Thursday July 14th, 2022

Mr and Mrs David Napier were kind enough to invite members of the NGT to visit their lovely garden at Shropham. Around 109 members and guests came to see a Breckland garden. It made us all aware of the hardships of gardening in the Brecks during a very dry spell. Subsequently I feel sure we all know what it feels like as Norfolk basks in 38 degree heat as I write this report.

We approached the house which was built around 1851 down a shady drive with many unusual trees including several cornus and pine trees, turning right before one gets to the house we visit a woodland garden with many specimen trees, this leads on to a wildflower meadow which was created 8 years ago. Beyond the meadow and over a style one could visit the church next door. The church has a wonderful stained glass window created by Mary Lowndes around 1890 which depicts the Adoration of the Magi and Shepherds in an English woodland.

The garden has an avenue of tulip trees leading back towards the house which links the house to the wildflower meadow. Roses are a feature of the garden with about 200 types incorporated into the herbaceous borders. The entrance to the walled garden at the side of the house has an unusually cut double box hedge which was a delightful feature. The Napier’s gardener Guy Barker was on hand to answer any questions. The accompanying photographs were taken earlier in the year before the current very dry weather.

Teas were served in the garden by Norfolk Garden Trust volunteers with cakes provided by The Boston Tea Party.