In recent months, you may have spotted that the ‘family beds’, located just to the right as you walk from the terrace towards the Walled Garden, have been cleared, ready for a brand-new planting scheme to take shape. Horticultural Supervisor, Adrienne Wade, has worked to develop a new planting scheme, which will soon bring new life to this small pocket of the garden. During phase 1 of the redevelopment, we welcomed a team of volunteers from Associated Architects, who are supporting the project, to help clear the beds.

The well loved ‘ogee’

The spiralling beds have historically been planted with different species of roses, with an ornate metal structure, referred to as the ‘ogee’, sat at the centre. The ‘ogee’ was donated by the Friends of Winterbourne – a scheme established to support the growth and preservation of the site – back in the 1990s. Looking at the original drawings of the structure, it seems to have taken its name from the ornate, curved detailing that runs throughout. At the time, this area of the garden was planted with a wide variety of roses, and images from the 1990s show roses climbing up the structure.

Adopt a rose

Roses were clearly a much-loved flower of the Friends of Winterbourne and a vital flower to Winterbourne’s living collection. In the early 2000s, the Friends ran an appeal encouraging members to adopt a rose, writing that; ‘a significant number of the roses in the National Collection of the History of the European Rose in the Walled Garden are in fairly urgent need of replacement… Each £10 donation to the scheme will purchase a rose of the Curator’s choice.’ It is through the hard work and generosity of the Friends that Winterbourne has become what it is today – a public garden with a fantastic living collection.

A new vision and approach

Horticultural Supervisor Adrienne, who is leading the redesign of these beds, has plans to work more closely with the landscape’s unusual conditions, which place some of the beds in full shade, whilst others often lie in full sun.

Despite the move away from the rose garden of the 1990s and 2000s, Adrienne’s design includes subtle references to the rich history of the garden. The newly planted sunken garden will boast a diverse mix of herbaceous perennials, planted alongside tree ferns, and the ‘ogee’ will once again become a beautiful focal point to one of the first areas in the garden that visitors see.

Unfortunately, the condition of the ‘ogee’ has weathered over time, so as the team brings to life their new vision for the planting in this area of the garden, it only seems right to restore the centrepiece to its original beauty.

How you can support

Throughout 2026, you can support our efforts to restore the ‘ogee’ by entering the raffle, available in the Winterbourne Gift Shop. With £1 raffle tickets available to buy in the shop, you’ll be in with the chance of winning one of our wonderful prizes:

• An overnight stay at Edgbaston Park Hotel
• Two adult tickets to a summer evening event of your choice in Winterbourne’s 2027 season
• Afternoon tea at the Terrace Tea Room
• A Winterbourne House and Garden family membership voucher

Terms and conditions:

You must be over 18 to purchase a ticket. Tickets are available to purchase at Winterbourne only, not online.

The draw will take place in December 2026. No cash alternatives. Licensed by Birmingham City Council. Charity Exempt No. X7237.