Since lockdown the weather has been unusually warm sunshine for March and April - many flowers are out early including rosa banksia lutea, photographed from Posy's balcony.

A wonderfully inspiring day with Nicola Hope and Jack Willgoss as guest speakers.
Nicola spoke on the techniques she uses in her organic gardens and also hinted on her exciting research work for the prestigious RHS Masters degree in Horticulture.  Jack spoke on the creation of Wildgoose Nursery in Shropshire, an incredible transformation of a derelict walled garden into a top rated plant nursery, also holding the national collection of perennial violas.
Thank you so much to both speakers for giving us so many brilliant ideas and tips.

Tom Coward 
Head Gardener spoke on the management of the 30 acre Gravetye Manor Hotel garden including flower gardens, woodland, meadows and the famous oval-walled kitchen garden. The gardens were originally the creation of William Robinson who was surely the most influential and original thinker, plantsman and revolutionary gardener of the early 20th Century. Afterwards Tom stayed for lunch and talked to everyone, answering loads of questions.

Dr Cherry Taylor
Spoke on the "No-dig" organic technique of gardening that she has used since 2016. A pupil of Charles Dowding's method she has transformed her garden plot into a National Garden Scheme garden in 4 years. Cherry spoke in detail on the importance of  soil health and fruit and vegetable varieties. We all enjoyed her spring green and flower salad at lunch in the oak room.

Sarah Price's planting in the rose garden is now in it's second year and very much admired by visitors. Groups, gardening clubs and societies of 10+ are most welcome. Please get in touch if you would like to arrange a group visit.

Common lizard, may bug and tortoiseshell butterfly.

Visitors were not put off by the rain and enjoyed a cup of tea and a slice of cake in the Oak Room. They were all able to see the new areas of planting, the fernery, orchard and gravel garden.

In the spring we swept the leaves away and some previously hidden paths and ponds appeared. 

April 2019 has seen a fabulous display of tulips in the rose garden.