With relief, our U3A Garden Group visited West Dean last month after a lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown. We managed one more garden visit on Tuesday before the new ‘6 people max’ rule was announced.
Just when you think you’ve visited all the awe-inspiring local gardens, you are introduced to a new one. We went to Rymans Garden in Apuldram near Chichester. Rymans is a 15th century stone house set in magnificent and extensive gardens which are occasionally open to the public for Charity as part of the National Gardens Scheme.
We were very careful, wandering around mostly in pairs or on our own complying with social distancing and several of us wore masks even though we were outside. Unfortunately there were no refreshments or toilet facilities – not ideal for 60+ year old ladies as you can imagine but we managed.
There are several parts to the garden and as we entered, we were dwarfed by the most beautiful white and pink Japanese Anemones. Such a good value plant, which appears to have spread its magic around this part of the garden.
Following the path we found a large pond. It’s funny what we all notice first, for me it was the metal heron and for others it was the stone frog in the middle of the pond.
The pretty paths lead us to the front of the house where there is a knot garden, which sadly has fallen foul of Box Tree caterpillar. I had to include the ‘rear end’ statue which made us chuckle.
Behind the house is a large walled garden with packed borders and some interesting planting ideas that I have made a note of. I particularly liked the verbena bonariensis and Gaura surrounded by a fluffy pale brown ornamental grass, wafting in the breeze in a central bed.
The pièce de résistance are the herbaceous borders, the colours were just breathtaking. As they came into sight there was an audible gasp of delight. The photos don’t show the true bright colours. The borders have a central path with a large arbour at the end and coppiced limes which break up the planting. It was bursting with orange, yellow and red dahlias, which at the beginning of September were just taking over from the roses. We met up with the head gardener here and he told us the borders are full of tulips in the Spring, so I am earmarking another visit then.
I don’t know about you, but just as I get a lot of pleasure nosing around the kitchens in old houses, I love the behind the scenes of a garden. The top photo has an interesting old fashioned water bowser which is still in use. Just look at all those plastic pots – clearly waiting to be reused.
Rymans is open for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday and Sunday 12/13 September for a pre booked visit. Click HERE for further information.
