Sissinghurst Castle Gardens

Sissinghurst is always a pleasure and on this occasion we took our great friends Jo and Nigel Nelson . Jo and Nigel are accomplished musicians, and unbeknown to us - secretly garden admirers much more knowledgeable than they let on. Their plant vocabulary was extremely impressive!

I think May is probably one of the best months to see the gardens. It was a feast for the eyes! All due credit to Head Gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team.

“May is the month of planting at Sissinghurst. The soil has warmed up and we have passed the date of expected frosts and feel safe to plant half-hardy and tender annuals out. Many of the spring bulbs have finished or are about to finish Flowering. If they are to be left in the beds to flower again next year, we will deadhead them but leave the leaves to die back naturally. The leaves keep feeding the bulb and this energy produced goes back into the bulb for next season’s flowers, rather than into producing a seed head.”
Troy Scott Smith

Some real great finds this trip included the Forecourt Entrance Meadows, the Lower Courtyard Herbaceous borders, the new Delos Mediterranean garden, which we hadn’t seen since it’s formation. The famous White Garden which has inspired many a designer was absolutely incredible. Some new planting in the Nuttery included a sea of ferns, so impressive with views to the sculpture among the trees.

The Cottage Garden with is kaleidoscope of colours is always a feast for the eyes. But I have to say it was the Rose Garden that just made you take a breath and had the Wow! Factor . It was stupendous.

We bought far too many plants at the Nursery and talked of great intentions that evening over a nice bottle of Claret.

So a big thank you to Troy and his team.