West Dean Gardens; a gardener’s day out

Posted:23 April 2016

We feel this is one of the most exciting times of year in the garden as April and May bring both the chance to see the structural forms and the potential of the colourful and productive months to come. And a visit to West Dean Gardens near Chichester makes for an ideal day out creatively inspired by its rich heritage and setting, West Dean is brimming with features to enjoy.

There’s the impressive 100metre long Edwardian pergola (with a floor mosaic of horse molars at one end!), and the sunken garden reopened in spring 2014 after a six-year period of restoration (in July 2014 it was awarded a Sussex Heritage Trust Award Landscape & Gardens category). Also the 2.5mile arboretum walk a must-see in late spring with an abundant display of rhododendrons and azaleas. Blankets of spring bulbs and fritillaries cover the extensive lawns.

 

 

West Dean’s magnificent walled kitchen garden – a favourite of ours boasts an impressive collection of working Victorian Glasshouses, some over-wintering a fine collection of tender plants and others trained peaches, nectarines and figs. The extensive vegetable beds are prepared, with hazel supports in place, rhubarb forcers and cloches all lined up, ready and waiting!

 

 

 

The orchard areas support 100 varieties of apple and 45 varieties of pear, including heritage varieties with links to West Sussex, many of them trained into exquisite traditional shapes.

 

New for spring, we notice that West Dean are offering a new Spring Pass, offering unlimited entry over a six-week period for just £17 sounds like a bargain if you feel you might visit more often.