Stone House Cottage Garden and Nursery, on the outskirts of Kidderminster, offers visitors not only a beautiful walled garden to wander around, but also the opportunity to buy some of the plants for themselves.

Owners James and Louisa Arbuthnott grow a vast selection of rare and unusual plants, many of which are hardly ever sold in this country, in their one-acre former kitchen garden. The space is divided into different compartments by a network of hedges, creating diverse habitats in which the plants can thrive.

The garden has been designed in a romantic style, featuring unusual brick follies covered with a multitude of climbing plants, and on occasions during early summer, these towers become the focal point for musical entertainment in the garden with 'Music from the Towers' evenings.

Visitors intending to purchase plants at the adjoining nursery are encouraged to look around the garden first, to find inspiration and discover how shrubs, climbers and herbaceous varieties can be combined to create a certain effect. Almost all the plants on display are for sale in the nursery, and most of the stock is grown by the Arbuthnotts themselves.

Stone House Cottage is open from Wednesday to Saturday until September 17, from 10am-5pm, and by appointment from mid-September to mid-March. Between November and March, James gives illustrated talks on wall shrubs and climbers, and building garden towers and walls. For more visitor information see www.shcn.co.uk or email Louisa@shcn.co.uk.

Stone House Cottage Garden & Nursery, Stone, nr Kidderminster

01562 69902