Peaches, figs, vines… not what you would expect growing this far North. But they can all be found in Whitworth Hall’s fascinating walled garden, says Sarah Willcocks.

A VICTORIAN garden on a quintessential English estate near Spennymoor is not the first place you would expect to find a scarce plant from the Himalayas.

But step through the wrought iron gates at Whitworth Hall’s walled garden and you will discover all sorts of horticultural delights.

From an exotic herbaceous plant to a rare heritage apple, visitors can be sure to find something a little bit different.

The garden is host to LB Plants, a plant and shrub nursery that specialises in hardy and less common perennials. Nursery owners Howard Leslie and Sharon Bartle, who are both RHS qualified, are now in their fourth year at Whitworth.

“We aim to produce as much of our own stock as possible so we know that the plants are well-suited to the soil and conditions in this part of the country and that they will grow when people get them home,” says Sharon.

A recent favourite addition to the homegrown stock is an unusual Himalayan beauty, the Arisaema. You can guess at first glance that this attractive tubular plant is not native to County Durham – it has a distinctive hood of ebony and ivory stripes and bright glossy leaves – but it is becoming much sought-after and is one of several exotic plants that Howard and Sharon are making available to the public.

The garden and its original glasshouse are full of surprises – and, at this time of year, fruit. One the most prolific growers is a beautiful, big fig tree. It was trimmed back four months ago and is now dripping with fruit.

There is also a peach tree and the garden is home to Britain’s most northerly vineyard.

“About 30 years ago, it was used to make wine, which was bottled and sold,” says Sharon. “We thought the vines were at the end of their prolific fruiting life, but they are just coming into growth again.”

Constructed by Richardson’s of Darlington, the glasshouse was restored when Howard and Sharon set up the nursery and is a feature in its own right.

“When we first took on the garden, it was overgrown. You could barely see the pathways.

Lady’s mantle was encroaching across them and the glasshouses were run-down,” recalls Howard.

“There had only been one gardener for the whole estate and it was just too much for one person. “The first job when we arrived was to get to grips with what was in the garden,” says Sharon.

It is a task that is still being scrupulously completed today, although Sharon adds: “We are 97 per cent there. With the best will in the world, you cannot identify all the varieties of apples unless you are an expert. And even then, it’s difficult. We have some rare heritage varieties not found much in the UK. When you taste them, the flavour is unmatchable.”

The original orchard of 150 trees is one of the garden’s most striking attributes. It was planted at the turn of the century by Bobby Shafto, who inherited the Whitworth estate in 1742. It still produces apples such as Lady Henniker, Beauty of Bath, Eldrod Pigeon and Lord Derby.

To save them from extinction Howard and Sharon have called in the experts. The Northern Fruit Group, a Harrogate-based charity, has set up registers of old fruit varieties and orchards in the North.

“We have taken three apple samples from each tree. The samples are put before a panel who test for smell, colour, texture, longevity once picked, and taste,” explains Sharon. “It is a long process because you have to monitor the blossom across consecutive seasons, recording changes in weather which affects the blossom.”

As well as apples. there is an impressive 100- year-old pear tree growing along one of the boundary walls.

“The wall structure is double-skinned,” explains Howard. “It’s a fairly common feature in old walled gardens. Soot was found inside the wall from where fires were burned at either end to produce heat for winter fruit growth.”

“It gave more scope for growing produce which in turn gave the gardener higher status.

The Victorian gardener would have been expected to provide food for the plate 12 months of the year,” adds Sharon.

Growing among the lush herbaceous plants is an array of herbs which would do any Victorian gardener proud. There’s lemon balm, various types of sage, marjoram, oregano, chives, lavender, rosemary, artemisia and thyme.

The scents mingle together as you walk around the pathways, making this truly special garden a treat on the nose as well as the eye.

“We are happy if people just want to come in to enjoy the garden or ask for some advice,” says Sharon. “We like to hear about others’ experience of gardening and it’s always nice to share knowledge.

We work seven days a week. Even then, there are not enough hours in a day.”

Luckily, there is a constant stream of volunteers and local community groups who help maintain the garden. “It’s very relaxed. Sometimes we have up to ten volunteers here and often they bring their friends along.

“We are open 12 months of the year and it’s a constant cycle of seed sowing, splitting of plants and propagation. Weeding and watering is like painting the Forth Bridge,” says Sharon. “It never ends, but it’s not like a job. It’s a joy.”

• LB Plants will have stalls at various local markets and plant fairs. For further information, log on to lbplants.co.uk.

• The Walled Garden, Whitworth Hall Country Park, Spennymoor, County Durham DL16 7QX.

Open daily from 10am until 6pm. The Walled Garden is located between The Lakeside Inn and the Deer Park. Free entry. Tel: 07932-159204 or 07747-895096.