Summer is often a time when we can enjoy the fruits of our labour.

This year, there appears to be no rest for the wicked as we only received around 15 millimetres of rain through the entire month of June, making the establishment of young plants incredibly challenging.

The winter rain and high-water table has meant that the river Lavant has continued to flow through the gardens, even as we move into July, meaning that a number of established trees are still in good health.

More shallow rooting plants throughout the garden are showing signs of stress, but one area that shows no worry through the lack of rainfall is our Dry Meadow, which seems to be going from strength to strength.

Despite a few days of flooding, the plants are establishing well, and I've noticed new generations of seedlings starting to emerge through the gaps in the recycled concrete.

We have recently planted two large riverbeds with spring flowering perennials, incorporating piles of logs to act as a habitat amongst the herbaceous planting. It will certainly be a challenge to look after these new plantings if the dry weather continues, but ultimately, I'm very excited to have some distinct communities of plants in the garden, all thriving in the varying conditions that we have at West Dean.

Some very exciting news that I must share with you is that we intend to hold an event at the end of August in partnership with the RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee. As a member of the Committee myself, our remit is to engage with as many gardeners as possible. The committee will visit West Dean on Saturday, August 26 and will give talks to our visitors, I will be conducting garden tours and there will be a number of specialist herbaceous nurseries on site, selling their plants.

To find out more about this event, please visit Perennial Day & Plant Fair.

Tom Brown, Head Gardener

Join Clare Brown and Tom Brown on 15 September 2023 to learn how to grow dried flowers from seed, harvest and then arrange them into a bunch to dry at home. To book your place, visit growing and arranging dried flowers.