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
Now that the mornings are becoming cooler with a fine mist there’s no harm in looking back to the glories of summer. The flower borders at West Dean Gardens are a glorious blaze of colour during the summer months and the cutting gardens provide an almost endless supply of flowers for the House. Maintaining the … 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
Apples specifically help improve the functioning of the bacteria living inside of our large intestine, and early studies show that apples change the metabolism within the digestive tract, and change the balance of bacteria, which leads to improved health by maximizing nutrient uptake and eliminating harmful bacteria and toxins. There is overwhelming evidence that one-third … 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
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
Did you see the naturalised bulbs in action at West Dean during February this year? If you missed the display poor you as it was a sight to gladden any heart. On sunny days, the gardens were bathed in a symphony of mauve, yellow and white as the bulb flowers opened their faces, creating a … Continue reading
Having just passed the longest day, 21st June, I think it’s fair to say that summer is here and so far it’s proving pretty good, fingers crossed! That combined with a mild and moist Spring means that West Dean Gardens is probably looking as good as it ever has in my 23 years as Gardens … Continue reading
April was such a benign month at West Dean, mostly rain-free days and glorious enjoyable sunshine. What a blossomy year so far – I feel as if the garden is garlanded with these magical blooms at present. The pear blossom was magnificent in March and April and now the orchard is a riot of pink … Continue reading
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