The 13 Victorian glasshouses by Foster & Pearson are a highlight of the Kitchen Garden at West Dean.The majority, together with the four sets of cold frames, were erected between 1890 and 1900 by Foster & Pearson. They demonstrate the variety of types and styles in use during the period from three-quarter span houses, to … Continue reading
‘A fabulous, magical place with, what’s to my mind, the finest collection of fruit trees anywhere in the country’, Toby Buckland, BBC2 Great British Garden Revival The apple and pear collection at West Dean Gardens is housed within (and around) the recently restored Victorian Walled Garden. In its heyday, at the turn of the last … Continue reading
Towards the end of July a couple of inches of much-needed rain fell. The summer rains have not made much of an appearance so far this year so we really, really appreciated it when it finally arrived. After all the rain last year, this year’s dry weather is capping the growth of the garden, you … Continue reading
So, after all the planning processes and architect’s meetings, it looks like the creation of the Otter Farm Kitchen Garden School will begin this summer. It’s hard to imagine diggers, cranes, be-hatted builders and daily deliveries will soon be busying over this space, but hopefully they will. A mobile home, much noise and considerable dust … Continue reading
West Dean Gardens is joining the Royal Horticultural Society in celebrating National Gardening Week (13 – 19 April). Launched four years ago by the RHS it has grown into the UK’s biggest celebration of gardening. On National Gardens Open Day (Friday 17 April) visitors will be able to explore the award-winning West Dean Gardens. For … Continue reading
How wonderful on a cold wet December day to come across The Garden Spot blog on West Dean’s inspiring Walled Kitchen Gardens. Thank you! Continue reading
The dry September with less than 10 mm of rain recorded has been the driest at West Dean in the past 34 years. It has been accompanied by still days and at times glorious sunshine – altogether creating near perfect garden-visiting weather. It seems churlish of me therefore to wish for a drop of rain … Continue reading
Gorgeous autumn is a time to visit West Dean Gardens with your camera- for when the place is bathed in golden autumnal light it’s just ripe for the creative photographer. The diversity of the gardens means there is something for everyone: vegetables in straight lines, flowers in the borders, glasshouses, fantastic fruit or even the … Continue reading
Wow! What a difference warm weather makes to a garden! So far this summer the flower display in the cutting garden and on the borders in the Walled Garden is looking fantastic with the rudbeckia trial taking pride of place. Beneficial insects and butterflies are having a field day too. However lots of sun means … Continue reading
June was a wonderful month for a garden visit to West Dean and July looks set to be the same. Plenty of sun filled days after the relentless winter rain have put a skip into the visitors step as they come along to enjoy all aspects of the gardens and there is certainly plenty here … Continue reading
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