The vibrant display at the garden’s top catches the eye immediately. I hang a pair of antique wire fish traps from a tree, but they tended to blend into the background on their own. My partner suggested purchasing multi-colored ping pong balls to place inside them, and the result has been quite effective—these decorations now serve as a striking focal point.
Among the several gardens participating in the National Garden Scheme across the county this weekend, two stand out. Banks Farm in Boast Lane, Barcombe, located near Lewes, welcomes visitors both days from 10.30am until 4pm with an admission fee of five pounds. This nine-acre rural retreat features expansive lawns and shrubbery areas that blend seamlessly into a more natural woodland setting surrounding a lake. Visitors can also explore an orchard, vegetable plots, water features, and an impressive variety of plant species, creating a peaceful and engaging experience. Meanwhile, Kotamaki in Tottingworth Park, Broad Oak, near Heathfield, opens on Saturday from 10am to noon with twelve pounds entry covering refreshments, though advance booking is necessary—prospective visitors should check online for ticket availability. The proprietors will conduct a garden tour at 10:30am. This substantial garden showcases imaginative plantings throughout, including an extended double border enclosed by yew hedges, alongside a rockery, shaded areas, exotic plantings, container displays, wildflower meadows, and a kitchen garden. The design prioritizes year-round interest through thoughtfully combined shrubs, climbing plants, perennials, bulbs, annuals, and self-seeding varieties. The garden also boasts an impressive collection of wisterias, trained as shrubs, climbing trellises, and covering a pergola. Comprehensive information about both properties appears at www.ngs.org.uk. Listeners can also catch me on BBC Sussex’s Sunday Gardening programme discussing these and other gardens opening for the scheme.
I’ve recently moved the more tender agave specimens back outside from their winter quarters in the shed. I purchased a single plant from a Chichester market in 2012 and have since propagated twenty plants of various sizes from that original specimen. They create quite a dramatic impact but possess extremely sharp spines, so caution is necessary. All plants remain in containers and are strategically positioned throughout the beach garden for the summer season.
The moderate-sized pear tree in my garden has bloomed abundantly once more, suggesting we should anticipate a plentiful pear harvest come autumn. The tree was already established when we arrived, though I’m fairly certain it’s a Conference variety, renowned for producing excellent dessert pears with a delicate sweet rosewater taste. These elongated, slender fruits feature green russet skin protecting firm, juicy cream-colored flesh. They reach maturity in late September and can be kept in storage for approximately two months following harvest. My personal preference involves peeling and poaching them before freezing for use in pies and crumbles throughout winter.
A consistent favorite in my garden is the attractive Honey spurge, scientifically named Euphorbia mellifera. This handsome semi-evergreen shrub originates from Madeira and the Canary Islands and has become a valued garden addition, prized for its honey-scented summer blooms that bees find irresistible, its attractive rounded growth form, and its waxy foliage. When positioned in full sunlight, it develops a denser, more compact silhouette, while shadier locations produce a looser, more upright habit. It creates a stunning display when planted in exotic borders or gravel gardens like my own. For optimal results, cultivation in full sun is recommended, and poorly drained soils should be avoided—making it particularly suitable for my chalk-based soil. The plant can be cut back aggressively in spring if it becomes too leggy, though protective gloves are essential during pruning as the milky white sap can cause irritation to skin and eyes.
I reported last autumn on a new garden acquisition—a Japanese Deshojo Maple bonsai tree—purchased during a Derbyshire holiday. It remained outdoors throughout winter and is once again displaying its magnificent red foliage, as illustrated. This tree represents a traditional bonsai selection owing to its compact leaves and vivid coloration, typically necessitating frequent pruning to maintain its diminutive dimensions. It is equally celebrated for its brilliant scarlet-crimson leaves, widely regarded as among the most outstanding of red-foliaged maples.
Upcoming is National Gardening Week, scheduled for April 27 through May 3, during which the Royal Horticultural Society encourages everyone to nurture curiosity in their outdoor spaces by pausing, observing more closely, and uncovering the tiny marvels that animate our gardens. Additional information is available at www.rhs.org.uk.
More information about Geoff’s garden appears at www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk, where readers can also follow both the garden and its owner on social media platforms.