The Gardens in February
After a surprisingly snowy January (with temps ranging from zero to minus 9C!), we’ve had to play catch-up in the gardens for the last few weeks. And though beautiful to look at, the snow had a sting in its tail and damaged some ornamental trees. The gardens team has been out in force dealing with the aftermath as well as continuing to trim the evergreens within the gardens.
After such challenging weather it’s now a pleasure to get outside and go for a walk. Throughout the gardens you’ll see ever-increasing displays of bulbs – snowdrops followed by aconites and crocuses – and you might also be able to detect the elusive perfume of Sarcococca. This evergreen shrub really comes into its own at this time of the year so inhale and enjoy! At the other end of the odour spectrum are the rich aromas of recently spread mulches of composted wood chip, and farm manure (which will shortly be incorporated into the kitchen garden). Our manure supply comes from the West Dean dairy herd, and the chip mulch is made from chips generated within the gardens.
The mighty River Lavant, which forms the southern boundary of the ornamental grounds, is in full spate; not surprising after 650mm or approx 26 inches of rain since the beginning of October 2009. The river is a winterbourne, a winter stream rising in winter when the water table rises in the chalk. Visitors who came in summer and saw a dry river bed will be in for a shock if they view the river in its now swollen state.
Normally at this time of year pruning the climbers on the pergola would have been completed. However this year the pergola timbers are being replaced so the climbers have been removed from the wood work and tied down onto the pillars to get them out of the way until the new wood is in position and rewired. Since most of January was a write-off job-wise, this task is still to be completed. Watch this space!
Washing glasshouses is part of the gardeners’ winter work and there is only one dirty glasshouse remaining – the dirtiest one of course! Some glasshouse interiors are being painted this month and while this and other work is being carried out individual glasshouses might be closed to the garden visitor for safety purposes. You are most welcome to explore the others but please remember to firmly close the doors behind you.
We are just about to embark on our chilli seed-sowing session. The chilli plants will make up our chilli display in one of the pit houses for later in the year. We celebrate all things chilli at our annual Chilli Fiestawhich this year is going to be held over THREE days from 6–8th August 2010. Make sure to put these dates in your diary, invite some friends and we’ll see you there!
For the more intrepid visitors why not head for the Arboretum this month and enjoy the 2.5 mile circular walk with stunning views of the parkland and the Lavant Valley. The Arboretum hosts a wealth of bulbs and early-flowering rhododendrons, not forgetting a national collection of Horse Chestnut Trees (Aesculus)! A truly wonderful spectacle throughout the seasons.
Of course no visit to West Dean is complete without popping into the Gardens Restaurant– a welcoming and warm haven – and a great place to meet friends for lunch or morning/afternoon tea. And what could be better than a spot of shopping afterwards in the Gift Shop next door, which sells a variety of gifts… perfect for presents or just treat yourself!
If you’re looking for a lasting gift for a friend or family member, then why not make them a Friend of West Dean. There is so much enjoyment in seeing a garden change through the seasons, plus all the other benefits of being a Friend. Speak to the garden shop staff for more details or visit www.westdean.org.uk
