Wealden Times | WT170 | April 2016 | Garden supplement inside

felt dry and hazy and the atmosphere was one of passing; you
could sense the meadow’s time was over. It was a bittersweet
moment as we harvested its season’s labour. We quickly drove
back to Sissinghurst and strew the hay on our bare, harrowed
ground. Over the course of three weeks I flicked the hay high
above my head to encourage the seeds to leave their home.
Now I eagerly and obsessively wait to see if Sissinghurst will
greet its first-ever green-winged orchid.
Ancient meadow or not, good management is key to
success. Cutting in late summer will ensure that the flowers
and grasses have set seed and, leaving the cuttings to lie for a
few days, allows seeds and wildlife to escape. Afterwards, rake
and remove the grass. As gardeners, we are free to create our
own interpretation of nature, so don’t be afraid to experiment
with non-natives such as Irises and Crocosmia. In our orchard
you’ll find roses cascading out of long grass like floral geysers.
Once established and managed correctly the flowers become
like friends, as the years go by you will gain more and more. A
meadow isn’t a single, static feature like a garden perennial. A
meadow evolves, it moves. New inhabitants will appear with
each new season from the simple daisy to the regal orchid.
Yellow rattle will wash around the grassland each year like
well-spread butter on dry toast.
Hot summer evenings are when you feel the life force of a
meadow; it is a living, breathing entity. Bees collect the last
of the day’s nectar to turn into golden honey. Crickets and
beetles play into the evening like a well-rehearsed orchestra
joined by the rustling of grasses in a gentle breeze. And
butterflies will dance from flower to flower on a colourful
canopy rising like ships on a turbulent sea.
I could watch the meadows of Sissinghurst for hours, gazing
upon the community that I care for. Visit our meadows and
witness this oasis in all its beauty for yourself this summer.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Inspired by bulbs...
An evening with Anna Pavord
Saturday 7 May 6pm-9.30pm £75
Inspired by roses...
Inspired by meadows…
before enjoying dinner.
To book 0344 2491895
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden
Kate Ball
Gardening correspondent for The Independent
and the author of a number of books on plants
and gardening, Anna Pavord will give a talk
celebrating bulbs before you enjoy dinner in the
restaurant at 8pm.
An evening with Michael Marriott
Saturday 18 June 6pm-9.30pm £75
Michael Marriott has been surrounded by roses
for the past 25 years in his day job as technical
manager at David Austin Roses. Explore the
garden at your leisure and join Michael for a talk
about old roses before dinner.
An evening with Nigel Dunnett
Saturday 2 July 6pm-9.30pm £75
Professor of Planting Design and Vegetation
Technology, and the Director of The Green Roof
Centre, University of Sheffield, Nigel will discuss
his work on naturalistic and meadow planting.
After exploring the garden, join Nigel for his talk
SissinghurstCastleWT170.indd 1 22/03/2016 14:24
Garden Design & Planting Plans
Garden design Planting plans
Advice and consultation
07870 627145
www.kateballgardendesign.co.uk
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