The popular Salford jungle garden reopens this weekend, welcoming visitors to its tropical oasis behind a Victorian semi-detached house. Tracey Bermingham and Tony Shepherd are once again opening the gates to their garden in Stafford Road, Monton, Salford, on Saturday, September 5, from 12pm to 4.30pm.
A Garden Grown Over a Decade
The garden first featured in the Manchester Evening News in summer 2024 when the couple opened it to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme, which raises money for nursing and health charities. Previous openings have raised thousands of pounds for the NGS, as well as Kidneys for Life.
The front garden, dominated by a giant Foxglove tree and huge clumps of banana plants and bamboo, hints at what lies beyond. The couple have lovingly transformed the space over more than a decade, turning it from a 'blank canvas' into a lush retreat enclosed by historic oak trees.
New Pond and Tropical Plants
This year, visitors will see a new addition: a pond with a viewing window. Tony, who retired from Procter & Gamble in Trafford Park after more than 30 years, said: "It’s our third year and it has amazed us how many people keep coming back, it’s really nice to see that."
He added: "As the garden matures it’s always nice to see the reaction from visitors and this year we have added a pond with a viewing window. It’s been a long term project and we really like it, so does Bob, our golden retriever."
Visiting Information
The garden is now bursting with tropical plants, from a varied collection of bamboos to large gunneras and hardy bananas. The couple prefer to pick what works well in the space rather than sticking to a specific theme.
Tracey, who runs private Education Matters tutoring sessions, says the 600 square metre back garden has become an oasis for her students, many of whom benefit from the 'amazing zen' created by the 'calm, tranquil atmosphere'. Entry is £5 for adults, children go free, and dogs are welcome. The address is 28 Stafford Road, Monton, M30 9HW.
