A Norfolk stately home and a Suffolk mail order gardening product supplier and manufacturer may seem unlikely partners but with their new Royal Horticultural Society endorsed Garden Arch range proving the catalyst, Harrod Horticultural and Hoveton Hall have joined forces in a truly symbiotic relationship, writes horticulturist Martin Fiddes.
The Lowestoft-based family run business was searching for a suitable location in which to display their new in-house designed and manufactured range and the contrasting gardens of Hoveton Hall - situated just outside the 'Capital of the Broads' at Wroxham near Norwich and a popular tourist attraction – proved the ideal reference site. With some of the existing arches in the gardens of the Hall reaching their sell-by date, both parties were delighted to team up for their mutual benefit.
After liaising with Rachel Buxton, Hoveton’s Head of Marketing and Events and Head Gardener Stewart Wright, Harrod Horticultural’s installation team moved in to assemble examples of their Ogee Pergolas and Gothic Arch – along with a show stopping 10 metre long wire linked Gothic Arch - in the stunning surroundings of the Hall’s walled Old Kitchen Garden and Spider Garden, named after the distinctive, arachnid designed wrought iron entrance gate.
“The arches provided by Harrod Horticultural have enhanced the beauty of the formal gardens, providing a focal point to draw the eye and frame the walkways and borders. We are sure our visitors will appreciate them just as much as we do,” said Rachel, whose family has owned the Hall and gardens since 1946.
Also on display in the grounds of the early 19th century constructed hall are examples of Harrod Horticultural’s steel obelisk range. The pyramid, square steel and round steel designs were seamlessly introduced to the gardens with the latter in particular arriving right on cue to replace an existing, life expired design.
Staff at Hoveton Hall have also been so impressed with the build quality of the Superior Garden Structure range that additional obelisks, a Gothic Arch and a second Ogee Pergola have all been purchased and installed to further enhance the gardens.
Manufactured from pre-galvanised steel (treated inside and out), finished in a matt black powder coating and carrying a 10 year framework guarantee – not to mention the flush fitting connectors and black coated stainless steel fixings – the arches and obelisks are going to be on view at Hoveton Hall for years to come so if you're on holiday on the Broads this summer, we fully recommend you moor up at Wroxham and come and see the products – and gardens - for yourself.
Hoveton Hall gardens are open every day from April 1st this year (except Saturdays and Mondays) until mid September, with a number of special events taking place throughout the season. Full details can be found on the informative Hoveton Hall website, including a downloadable leaflet featuring opening times and admission charges.
The Hall itself is not open to the public.
