Fritillaries are the flowery beacons of early April in the orchard at West Dean Gardens. Generally the appearance of all/any bulb is a treat, even blousy pink tulips that are currently frolicking in the Walled Garden are eye-catchers, wear your sunglasses though as they're so bright.

At this time of year gardeners are delighted to see the first naturalised bulb displays as some sort of payback for a less-than-thrilling two months of cutting back herbaceous and applying compost and bark mulch over winter. Read more in our latest blog by Sarah Wain.

Sarah Wain, Gardens Supervisor talks rainfall, pruning and rambling roses...

It may still officially be winter but it is a good time to get out on a crisp sunny day to enjoy the displays of snowdrops, the harbinger of spring, at West Dean. The award-winning gardens re-open on 3 February after the winter closure.

This month Sarah Wain writes about the significance of the Victorian glasshouses.

The walled kitchen garden at West Dean was the original "top ground" or upper kitchen garden, with the existing layout developed in the 1990's. Today the area is laid out using the classic Victorian design. Read more about this award-winning area which attracts visitors from around the world.

Gorgeous autumnal weather - dry still and colourful means there's something for everyone to enjoy in the gardens. Glasshouse cleaning has started in earnest and we're moving from a season of glasshouse displays to the housekeeping months, so still a busy time.

For the past 25 years Jim Buckland has managed West Dean Gardens with Sarah Wain, Gardens Supervisor. Read more about Jim in this blog with his plants by numbers....

Autumn weather can be glorious - it's my favourite season, and we're hoping that the sun will shine this autumn to entice you into the gardens at West Dean.