Rose Garden

First sight to greet the visitor is a spectacular Pauls Himalayan musk rose which tumbles its pink blossoms over a disused electricity pole making a huge mound of fragrance.

Next to it a massive creamy-white Kiftsgate has scrambled to the top of a 30-foot tree drap-ing its blooms across the branches.

All round the garden unusual roses - shrub, ramblers and climbers - fill the beds and clamber up the walls filling the air with delicious perfume.

Three attractive chinensis shrub roses display their delicate pink blossoms like "butterflies dancing across the grass" as they were described by rose expert Graham Thomas.

Jane Wren, who has created the garden over 24 years, has lost count of the number of roses she has planted but says it is well over 50 varieties.

Rustic pergolas support roses and clematis including William Lobb, a deep plum-coloured moss rose. In a nearby border Mrs Wren failed in her attempt to pin down the stems of Maiden's Blush, but then discovered the pale pink rose was bending its branches naturally.

In the curving border at the end of the drive Nitida, with pink single flowers and pretty feathery leaves, is grown for its winter colouring.

Walking along the drive it is impossible to miss Cerise Bouquet. Its spreading habit is covered with blooms set off by the red stems and greeny-grey foliage.

Yew trees are supports for Wedding Day and Rosa Rubus.

When Mrs Wren and her husband, Kenneth, moved into the house, the garden had been neglected for 20 years.

The shrub border along the drive had not been pruned and was full of nettles and tree stumps. An out-of-control privet hedge ran from the house to the gate.

All this was cleared and is now laid out to lawn with roses and conifers dotted in the grass. A group of spindle trees adds a touch of natural planting to the formal grouping.

During the destructive storms several large beech trees came down and 54 elms were lost to the ravages of Dutch elm disease.

Unruly yew trees have been tamed into large mounds and a hay paddock has become a trim lawn with a group of Parrotias providing eye-catching autumn colour.

Paving and steps leading to the house were completed last year with a winter border providing interest in the darkest days and a border grown especially for bees to enjoy. A bamboo and fern courtyard has recently been planted outside the kitchen door.

After moving into the house Mrs Wren found she was left on her own as her husband, an international consultant travelled the world. For 15 years she completed a new garden project each year.

The walled garden was grass and a pond when the couple moved in. The one plant inherited was a Bowl of Beauty paeony. This has flourished to produce beautiful large scented blooms of cream with masses of yellow stamens.

Curving borders replaced the squares and the walls were hung with roses and clematis. A secluded arbour is hidden behind curtains of roses and honeysuckle.

Next to the thatched summer house, another inherited feature, a tree was taken down and a paved hot area with poppies and rock roses was built.

Against the wall of a converted stables and barn, once home to Mrs Wren's mother and step-father, is a seat surrounded by scented plants in memory of the couple. A group of Jersey lilies was planted for her step-father who was born on the Channel Island.

Manor Lodge, Crawley, near Winchester, is open together with Lithend, Little Court and Paige Cottage for the National Gardens Scheme tomorrow (June 20) and Monday (June 21). Combined admission £2.50 (children free). Teas on Sunday only. Manor Lodge is also open for private visits in June and July 01962 776372.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.