The best of our late summer gardens at Polesden Lacey

Rosa ‘Margaret Greville’

This year, the Ladies Garden has been dominated by Rosa ‘Margaret Greville’, especially cultivated for us by Peter Beales Roses to celebrate 75 years since Polesden Lacey was bequeathed to the National Trust by Mrs Greville. This sweetly scented, repeat-flowering rose is a peach pink bloom with a gold centre that will flower well into September. 

The Edwardian walled rose garden

There are well over 2000 roses in the rose garden, including over 100 rambling roses on the pergola.  The centre beds are made up of around 35 different varieties of Hybrid Tea, Floribunda and Hybrid Musk roses, many of which are still blooming beautifully in this walled garden. Particular favourites of the garden team include ‘Lavender Lassie’, ‘Buff Beauty’ and ‘Graham Stuart Thomas’

Double herbaceous borders

Wander along our vibrant double herbaceous borders in the last days of the summer sun. These borders feature gorgeous perennials such as Helenium, Achillea, Rudbeckia and Cleome in beautiful vibrant colours. The stunning mauve Hydrangea at the west end of the borders also makes it well worth walking all the way to the far end.

Cut flower garden

Our volunteer-run cut flower garden provides blooms to the house and other visitor areas every week, and highlights at the moment include Dahlia ‘Bishop of York’ with yellow flowers and contrasting dark purple foliage, Gladioli, Echinacea and Phlox. 

The old kitchen garden

Over the thatched bridge, you will find an annual meadow full of summer colour, designed to evoke the spirit of the perennial borders that Mrs Greville had in this part of the garden. Sprays of pink Corncockles and white Chamomile contrast the bright blue Flax and vibrant red poppies. These flowers will continue to bloom into early autumn. 

To learn more about our beautiful gardens, join one of our garden tours, which are held daily until the winter. Ask in visitor reception for details.