Tuesday 18 February 2014

Sussex Prairie Garden

I began by splitting this post into two as there are so many photos but then I thought it needed to be one in order to appreciate this unusual and diverse garden.
Below we arrive at the home of the owners having parked in an adjoining field

It is privately owned by Paul and Pauline who began planting (with the help of family and friends in May 2008)
Surrounded by mature oak trees the six acre garden consists of a series of interlocking arcs of large planted borders in a naturalistic style.
The borders encourage exploration and adventure and visitors are encouraged to roam in amongst the plants to further enjoy the experience. The plantings consist of large groupings of each variety, planted in a free flowing style, which contrasts leaf forms, stems, stalks, flower shapes and textures. 

Colours are soft and muted, and complement the natural landscape.



We enter the garden by walking first through their property


They do bed and breakfast for garden enthusiasts who come here to learn more about planting



passing one of the best and diverse insect hotels I have come across


Very soon I feel like I am visiting 
The Little House on the Prairie



Our first glimpse at the garden


See the sculptured animals wandering through the vegetable garden


This area is part of the 'cutting garden' where flowers can be bought and one can be taught flower arranging


We come to the tea room where we will be finishing off the afternoon when we have wandered the garden



Walking right inside the plantings one is able to savour it all close up





My Grandchildren would have loved running around the paths and hiding from us





Statues and quirky art work abound


























Using old vinyl records! 




Time for afternoon tea before homeward bound



and we decide to take it indoors having walked around two lovely gardens today in the sun (this visit was back in the Summer of course!)
Hope you enjoyed your ramble around this very unusual garden.
Hard to imagine it has only been 6 years in the making.





Saturday 15 February 2014

NYMANS House & Garden - Pt 2

Don't miss my last post, if you did not see it, of the beautiful formal gardens.
The house with it's dramatic architecture - part Regency and part pseudo- Medieval, is not lived in any more. It is owned by The national Trust has an interesting history.




It was owned and lived in by the Messel family through 4 generations.
Ludwig and Anne Messel moved to London from Germany in the middle of the 19th century.
Ludwig was a successful Banker and needed a place to escape the chaos of London.
His legacy was a passion for gardening and is enjoyed by many visitors today.





The library was the favourite room of Anne, Countess of Ross and the room remains exactly as she left it.










The house is part ruins now following a fire in 1947.


We will be having lunch now after which I have another garden to take you to which is only 20 minutes drive away and certainly a garden with a difference!