This month we will see spring erupt across the county along with more beautiful gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme. The longer days will enable more time to be spent outdoors! The clocks actually go back on Sunday 30th which is also Mothers’ Day. Here, Geoff Stonebanks, the Scheme’s Publicity Officer in East & Mid Sussex along with some input from his colleague in West Sussex, Kate Harrison, shares some of the lovely gardens to visit, including 2 open on Mothers’ Day!
Bates Green Garden, Tye Hill Road, Arlington, BN26 6SH.
Open Sunday 9th March, 10.30am to 3.30pm. Entry £7 and children £3.50.
This plantswoman’s tranquil garden provides interest throughout the varied seasons. Its woodland garden has been created around a majestic oak tree. There is a colour themed middle garden plus courtyard gardens brimming with seasonal container displays. The front garden is a spring joy with narcissi, primroses and violets. Don’t miss the wildlife pond and wildflower meadow all gardened for nature and wildlife. Spring visitors can walk through a wild daffodil glade, leading to the 24 acre ancient oak wood, home of the Arlington Bluebell Walk. Beatons Wood is managed for conservation and diversity.
Denmans Garden, Denmans Lane, Fontwell, BN18 0SU.
Open Sunday 16th March, 11am to 4pm. Entry £10 and children £8. Pre-booking essential, please phone 01243 278950, email office@denmans.org or visit www.denmans.org for information.
Created by Joyce Robinson, a horticulturalist and pioneer in gravel gardening and former home of influential landscape designer, John Brookes MBE. Denmans is a Grade II registered post-war garden renowned for its curvilinear layout and complex plantings. See year-round colour, unusual plants, structure and fragrance in the gravel gardens, faux riverbeds, intimate walled garden, ponds and conservatory. On site there is a plant centre with unusual plants for sale, a gift shop and Midpines Café offering breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and a selection of sweet treats.
King John’s Nursery, Sheepstreet Lane, Etchingham, TN19 7AZ.
Open Saturday 22nd March, 10am to 5pm. Entry £5.
The garden has been developed alongside the nursery and includes a romantic pond garden, gravel garden, long border, meadows and cutting garden. A garden of wild flowers that is brimming with ideas. The garden is mostly flat, and areas with steps are generally accessible from other parts of the garden.
Limekiln Farm, Chalvington Road, Chalvington, Hailsham, BN27 3TA.
Open Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March, 2pm to 5pm. Entry £8.
The garden was designed in the 1930s when the house was owned by Charles Stewart Taylor, MP for Eastbourne. It has not changed in basic layout since then. The planting aims to reflect the age of the C17 property and original garden design. The house and garden are mentioned in Virginia Woolf’s diaries of 1929, depicting a particular charm and peace that still exists today. Flint walls enclose the main lawn, herbaceous borders and rose garden. See the nepeta lined courtyard, informal pond and specimen trees including a very ancient oak. Many spring flowers and tree blossom. The new prairie-style garden is filled with grasses and perennials. Physic garden with talk at 3pm about medicinal plants.
Peelers Retreat, 70 Ford Road, Arundel, BN18 9EX.
Open Sunday 30th March, 2pm to 5pm. Entry £5.
This inspirational space is a delight with permanent gazebos and comfortable seating to sit and relax, enjoying delicious teas. When cold they light the outdoor fire for guests. Interlocking beds are packed with year-round colour and scent, shaded by specimen trees, inventive water features and a range of quirky woodland sculptures.
Manor of Dean, Tillington, Petworth, GU28 9AP.
Open Sunday 9th March, 2pm to 5pm. Entry £5.
Wander through approximately 3 acres of traditional English garden with extensive views of the South Downs. See herbaceous borders, early spring bulbs, bluebell woodland walk, walled kitchen garden with fruit, vegetables and cutting flowers. The garden is under a long term programme of restoration, some parts may be affected.
Pembury House, Ditchling Road, Clayton, BN6 9PH.
Open Thursday 6th and Friday 7th March, 10.30am to 3.30pm. Entry £12, home-made teas included in the price. Pre-booking essential, please visit www.ngs.org.uk . Timed slots at 10.30am & 2pm.
Depending on the vagaries of the season, hellebores are at their best in March. This is a country garden, tidy but not manicured with new work always going on. Its winding paths give a choice of walks through 3 acres of garden, which is in and enjoys views of the South Downs National Park. Suitable footwear, macs and winter woollies advised. Plants for sale. Cash ideally requested.
The Old Vicarage, The Street, Washington, RH20 4AS.
Open Thursdays 6th, 13th, 20th and 28th, 10am to 4pm. Entry £8 with pre booking essential please visit www.ngs.org.uk .
This is a truly creative garden, nurtured and developed over 30 plus years to become a visitor’s favourite. With something to enjoy at every turn, this 3 ½ acre garden set around 1832 Regency house has stunning uninterrupted views of the North Downs. The front is formally laid out with topiary, mixed seasonal borders and contemporary water sculpture. The rear features an architectural green oak, lead roofed summer house, mature and new specimen trees, many imaginatively planted borders, Japanese garden with waterfall, pond and tea house, a large copse with stream, stumpery and tree house, and kitchen garden with mature fruit trees. Each year some 4000 tulips and spring bulbs are planted.
Details on all the gardens can be found at www.ngs.org.uk
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