The delightful garden and orchard at Horsey Windpump were first designed back in 2006 as part of the BBC ‘Breathing Spaces’ project. In 2008, following a successful Lottery grant, National Trust staff worked together with members of the Norfolk National Trust Volunteers (NNTV), and local children to create not only a wildlife and sensory garden to attract bees and butterflies but also an orchard planted with wildflowers.
The garden initially comprised four flower beds and two raised ponds and plants were carefully chosen for their ability to attract wildlife. The orchard was planted with wildflowers and ten apple trees which are all Norfolk varieties.
Over the years, the planting has changed a little and continues to do so as some plants die off and are replaced though not always with the same plants. In the summer months, the garden really comes to life with bursts of colour from the vivid purple loosestrife to the dainty yellow of alchemilla and the vibrant magenta of lychnis coronaria. There are architectural plants such as teasels and cardoons which give height and wonderful seed heads, various grasses which rustle in the breeze and honeysuckle and jasmine which weave their way through trelliswork. In the winter months, there are hellebores and colourful cornus stems to give interest. The variety of flowers attracts a variety of insects, in particular the swallowtail butterfly.
