This week I went on a trip to visit several gardens in Sussex near Haywards Heath.
Nymans (National Trust/RHS Partner garden)
This garden had many Wisterias in bloom at this time! Particularly impressive was a very long pergola covered with Wisteria, planted over 100 years ago. There were several Handkerchief trees (Davidia involucrata) in bloom which are always lovely to see. I particularly enjoyed the Rock garden because there were many lovely planting combinations and ideas for use in dry areas and areas without much soil, Including ferns which I found surprising! There were some beautiful corners around the house and courtyard with more lovely planting combinations. The “ruins” of the house provided an interesting backdrop for climbing roses and Wisteria, which contrasted nicely with the dark stone walls. Some impressive tree specimens including a particularly zingy Variegated Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Aureomarginatum’).
Borde Hill
My favourite parts of this garden were the Old potting sheds and the Victorian greenhouses. The old potting sheds were brick built and all that remain now are a series of walled sort of garden rooms. There were lots of stone walls planted with lime green miniature Euphorbias, with purple Alliums contrasting in front. The Victorian glass houses were mostly crumble down with one having had the glass removed being used as a giant frame for Wisteria to grow on.
Sheffield Park (National Trust/RHS Partner garden)
This parkland and garden was more landscape than garden, being Capability Brown designed, it features lakes, bridges, cascades and even a cricket pitch, it was very reminiscent of Stourhead to which I have been many times. I really enjoyed the Big tree walk and the historic woodland areas, which were carpeted in bluebells and wild garlic. There were some amazing tree specimens including a giant Redwood, which at over 140 years old and 38 metres tall was struck by lightning in 2022 and almost destroyed. A Garden for the Future, a newly designed area of the gardens has been created this year, “With a design of our time by two-time RHS Chelsea award-winner, Joe Perkins, the Garden for the Future will be a garden within a garden,a space inspired by the heritage arboretum that surrounds it that encourages people to connect with nature and each other in tranquil and beautiful surroundings. “ it address the need for more climate resilience within the garden, the design of which has remained much the same in the 70 years it had been in the hands of the National Trust. Again some plants I had never come across before such as the Nyssa sylvatica trees collection.
Wakehurst
First I went to visit the Millennium Seed Bank which had an exhibition about seed storage and how they get collected and then put into the seed bank. I enjoyed the parterres outside which were brick raised beds showing different growing conditions/habitats in the uk and which plants thrive there, such as Mountain, chalk downland and meadow. In the walled garden were some lovely long borders which had colours of purple, pink and minty greens. My favourite areas were the bog, Iris and water gardens, as the colours were so fresh and zingy, with Acers mixed with the beautiful primroses and Irises. They were being freshly mulched so the bright planting really stood out against the dark compost.
RHS Wisley
A lovely day to see the Wisteria walk in full bloom in the sunshine. There were other wisteria in the Oakwood, climbing up huge Oak trees, I suppose that is what they would do in the wild. The world food garden had lots of inspiration of what to grow, and many lovely plant supports which I will try to copy! The area around the Hilltop building including the wellbeing and wildlife gardens had grown a lot since my last visit. I always enjoy the alpine house with its beautiful intricate plants that you can view close up. Also the Rock garden, with its amazingly shaped evergreen trees and thoughtful plantings.
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