Hardy Team members were invited by Mr and Mrs Sheffield to spend a lovely evening in their garden during August, which is situated about a mile from here.

We were able to wander around at our own leisure taking in, not just the beautiful plants, but the care that has obviously gone into the garden design and colour schemes. We all took inspiration from it. Check out our photographs below.

As horticultural enthusiasts, we did do a fair amount of plant spotting – or ‘plant bingo’ as noted by a few of us, especially the ones that we knew came from Hardy's. It was such a peaceful evening. Mr and Mrs Sheffield had thought about the fact we were going there straight from work and provided us with food and drinks. We had a wonderful time and urge you to visit. Thank you again to Mr and Mrs Sheffield

For more details and to arrange a visit please visit The Spring Pond Garden website

HYDRANGEA cultivars add structure and colour from late summer into autumn, taking over from the earlier flowering ROSA and CLEMATIS.

Top tip: stockfencing wire makes a great trellis for CLEMATIS on a flint building, the wire is invisible against the stone

Splashes of colourful perennials and strong topiary elements are repeated along a central stone pathway to unify the design and carry the eye forward through the garden

ASTER amellus looking gorgeous as always with highlights from a pale pink rose

A tapestry of colour and texture from the marginal planting around the circular pond.

Ones to spot - HAKONECHLOA macra, PRIMULA japonica, PERSICARIA bistorta 'Superba', IRIS pseudocorus nana and HOSTA

Inspired planting in the 'HOT Garden'

ALSTROEMERIA and HEMEROCALLIS - a red hot combination that sizzles in colour and texture