Village Gardeners
THE VILLAGE GARDENERS began their summer season with a very pleasant evening
trip to Rougham Hall Nursery, on the 6th June. Because of staff shortages, Mr
Harbutt explained, the Nursery was not looking it's best, which I think
made us realize just how much work goes into growing plant for show and for
sale. We were nearly all, despite the weeds, seduced by a plant or two and left
after much appreciated refreshments, provided by the Harbutt family.
Then we had two very enjoyable (if exceedingly warm) visits in July. Firstly to Sissinghurst Castle Garden, on the day of our exit from the World Cup, which started quite dramatically (well - not as dramatic as the penalty shoot out) - we broke down! However after a brief respite on a grassy verge near Dullingham, we were on our way in a school bus, but our patience, good humour and tolerance were finally rewarded by the beauty of this garden.
The house - not really a Castle - has Saxon origins and it, along with the
garden, in a very dilapidated state, were "rescued" and purchased by
Vita Sackville West and her husband Nigel Nicolson in 1930. The current design
and structure of the Garden is what they created over the following thirty five
years. It was taken over by the National Trust in 1967, following the death of
Vita Sackville West.
There are in fact ten gardens, interlinked by pathways and vistas, but the July
"stars" were the stunning White Garden, the red, orange and yellow
flowered Cottage Garden and the Purple Borders in the front courtyard. We could
see views of the Weald of Kent from the huge old barn, walk along shady
pathways along the Moat, through the Nuttery and Lime Walk which is a sea of
brilliant spring bulbs, earlier in the year. BUT - talking about it cannot
possibly do it justice - it's a place to be visited. Vita Sackville West
said of her visitors "The mild gentlemen and women who invade one's
garden after putting their silver token in the bowl... are some of the people I
most gladly welcome and salute."
Secondly, to Dullingham House, where we arrived without mishap, the home of Lord and Lady Nourse. Our initial welcome was from Millie, the family Springer, promptly followed by chilled wine and nibbles - much appreciated on a very hot evening. Lady Nourse told us about the history of the house an garden and wandered with us along the lovely borders, through the kitchen garden, the woods and parkland.
Lady Nourse was extremely knowledgeable about the planting, as she and her gardeners had planted the vast majority of it over the last decade. It sounded as though the present owners with their knowledge and skills had breathed new life into this splendid Repton garden. Again, it's well worth a visit and is open in the summer under the National Garden Scheme.
Our next meeting will be on September 19th at the Village Hall - "Fun, failures and frustrations in the garden". All welcome.