As we move into the spring of 2023, Head Gardener Tom Brown looks at how the garden can meet the future needs of our visitors, students, and community with an increasing number of new challenges.

Head Gardener, Tom Brown talks about managing West Dean Gardens in autumn and winter and he mentions the new exciting projects at West Dean Gardens.

Head Gardener, Tom Brown talks about managing West Dean Gardens in autumn and winter and he mentions the new exciting projects at West Dean Gardens.

Head Gardener, Tom Brown talks about the challenges of managing West Dean Gardens and he recommends what displays and tours to look out for on your next visit this summer and in upcoming seasons. 

Weather has not been such a hot topic for ages with the drought of June and July making us rather nervous as we watched the skies for any sign of rain. If you can keep watering the plants over summer, then displays of rudbeckias and zinnias thrive in this endless sunny weather, as you'll see in our Cutting Garden. Read more in our latest blog from Sarah Wain.

After a miserably cold and wet beginning to the year, West Dean Gardens is now bathed in glorious sunshine and the gardeners have changed their fretting from endless rain to endless watering as it's been so dry recently.

In terms of fruit blossom, most of it is all before us. Hoorah! Cherry blossom will soon fill one wall in the pit yard and pears and apples won't be far behind, so there's plenty to ooh over if you visit West Dean in the coming month, not forgetting the flowery meads that have been created throughout the Gardens and Arboretum.