The Gardens in June

Only 49mm of rain fell in April and May this year making it the driest spring for West Dean Gardens since 1980 when 43 mm of rain were recorded for the same period. The gardens are looking surprisingly well on this diet but we’d like some rain now please!

This lack of rain has meant that irrigation has been a constant preoccupation for the gardens staff who are desperate to ensure that any new spring plantings become established. Current ongoing work in the gardens includes: changing displays in the glasshouses; potting on; continuous vegetable seed sowing; planting and harvesting; grape thinning; tying-in of climbers; weeding; watering; planting bedding; pruning; and of course mowing.

On your visit you will see swathes of wildflowers in the lawn - a sight to gladden the heart. Buttercups adorn the lawns towards the front gates but elsewhere cow parsley and oriental poppies are providing a striking combination in the wild garden. Do take time to stroll around the entire grounds in order to take it all in.

In the walled gardens we’re once again changing the displays under glass: nasturtiums and mints are out to make way for the newly potted tomatoes which will fill a couple of houses by high summer. The herb collection is making way for a retro display of double begonias and foliage plants that will in time provide lots of colour. Currently the grapes in the three vine houses are being thinned, removing as much as 60% of the fruit so that the remainder can swell uninhibited by the risk of botrytis - make sure you have a look at those. Elsewhere ferns and streptocarpus are thriving in the lean-to fern house and orchids are flowering so take your time to have a look at the new developments this month. Just remember to close the doors firmly behind you if they are not pinned back.

Over-mature remnants of vegetable crops are being removed in the vegetable cold frame to make way for new plantings and sowings. It's useful to see the varieties that are going in now so that you can copy ideas for your own garden. The pea crops are in and all vacant spaces are gradually filling up with ornamental gourds, climbing French beans, dwarf French beans and additional planting of marrows and lettuce. It’s a changing scene so make sure you have a look at the kitchen garden too.

Don’t forget to take a walk up to the arboretum where there are stunning views from the top of the Downs along the Lavant Valley. Here there are sheets of wildflowers to enjoy. This really is a wonderfully tranquil place to become immersed in, to soak up the calming effect of rhododendron bloom and other flowering trees and shrubs. The arboretum is always worth a look especially as it involves good exercise by walking there too; allow about an hour for a steady paced walk around the circuit walk which starts in front of the college and finishes by returning to the gardens shop.

There are plenty of plants for sale next to the shop for you to choose for your own garden so make sure you check them out before you leave. They arrive weekly, generally on a Thursday or Friday, so keep your eye out for new introductions.

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.

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