May is the month when gardens truly come alive.
Tracy Reid reveals some of the season’s most beautiful blooms and where to find them
May is such a beautiful month in the garden.
Early perennials are coming into flower with alliums, primula and irises providing a blaze of colour.
It’s also the month of the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show. Do look out for the show garden designed by Arit Anderson for Parkinson’s UK, sponsored by Project Giving Bank.
When designing the garden, Arit worked with gardeners who live with Parkinson’s disease and who open their own gardens for the National Garden Scheme (NGS).
And, of course, Parkinson’s UK is a beneficiary charity of the scheme. In 2025 this support funded two specialist nurses and a speech therapist, supporting over 1000 patients.
For some show stopping gardens closer to home look out for 2 Haddon View, Stanton in the Peak, which will be open on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May. This hillside cottage garden has a fabulous display of azalea and rhododendrons looking their best this Month. Entry is £4, children go free and dogs are welcome.
On Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May, Moorfields at Temple Normanton makes a welcome return after a break last year. You’ll find beautiful borders, a large pond, a lovely display of primulas and a fruit and veg patch. Entry is £4, children free.
Don’t forget you can explore all the gardens open this month on the website at ngs.org.uk
North Derbyshire Cottage Garden Society hosts its annual Plant Sale on Saturday 16th May from 11am at Arkwright’s Mill Yard, Cromford.
Edensor open gardens and village fete
Edensor Village, on the Chatsworth Estate, hosts its annual open gardens and village fete on Saturday 20th June (11am to 4pm).
Many gardens will be open and Lord and Lady Burlington will officially open the event at noon.
This year’s ‘Focus Garden’ will be the village’s newly renovated Park Top house. The event will also include stalls, including bric-a-brac, second-hand books and cakes; a competition treasure hunt for children and vintage and classic cars.
Entertainment includes Powder Keg Morris Dancers, Thoresby Colliery Silver Band, Jig For A Kiss (folk group), Matthew Cook Traditional Barrel Organ and the Pilsley School choir as well as a wood bodgers and turners demonstration and children’s bouncy castle. Cream teas will be served in St Peter’s Church and there will be a beer tent serving local ales, a Pimm’s bar and food stands.
Admission is £5 for adults and free for accompanied children aged 12 and under. Parking is in designated areas outside the village perimeter.
Proceeds will go to Diabetes UK, Blythe House Hospice, Cancer Research and St. Peter’s Churchyard Maintenance Fund.