Dahlia regalia

There are at least 36 different varieties of Dahlia and most of these will be on display at The Secret Gardens during this inaugural Dahlia Festival.

Head Gardener Steve Edney and his team are busy labelling all the different Dahlias planted around these stunning 3.5 acres of Jekyll-inspired gardens and there will be detailed education boards to give visitors information on their history and how to grow them, as well as guest speakers and a Dahlia competition during the festival.

Steve said: “The Dahlia is such a fascinating flower and a popular favourite among our visitors. There are so many different varieties, we thought it appropriate to devote a special festival to them – in all their different guises.”

The Dahlia is actually native to Mexico, Central America and Colombia and is believed to have been originally brought to Europe by the early explorers in the 17^th century, although it was another 200 years – in 1813 – before it began to be grown commercially.

Dahlias can be found all over The Secret Gardens of Sandwich – in the stylish White Garden, the bright Yellow Garden and in the new Long Border, a recreation of Gertrude Jekyll’s own Long Border at Munstead Wood in Surrey.

The Secret Gardens of Sandwich, at The Salutation, in Knightrider Street, Sandwich, lay unseen for almost a quarter of a century and have been lovingly restored at a cost of more than £2 million by the present owners, Dominic and Stephanie Parker.

As well as the gardens themselves, The Secret Gardens of Sandwich contain a delightful Tea Room, serving homemade cakes, light lunches, champagne and cream teas, plus a new gift shop with an eclectic range of unique and unusual gifts.

Gift vouchers, available by post as well as from the shop, can be exchanged for admission throughout the year, home-reared plants and other gardening gifts. These are sure to delight to all discerning gardeners and come in an attractive gift wallet, starting from just £5.

The Secret Gardens are open seven days a week, throughout the year. From now until 30 September, opening hours are from 10am to 5pm, closing at 4pm from October through to December.

From 23-30 August, The Gardens are hosting their annual Sculpture Festival, when visitors can enjoy contemporary art from Canterbury artists Pure Form and on 27, 28 and 29 August, gates will re-open at 5.30pm, with a series of guided Dusk Tours commencing at 6.45pm. Tickets are £16. (Telephone 01304 619919 to book.)