GREAT GARDENS OF SUSSEX HOST CHINESE PLANT EXTRAVAGANZA
May 2008
In the year of the Beijing Olympics, The Great Gardens of Sussex will host a Chinese Plant Extravaganza in May 2008, celebrating many of the finest plants in British gardens. This festival takes place in the five Great Gardens of Sussex – Nymans, High Beeches Gardens, Wakehurst Plac , Borde Hill and Leonardslee lakes and gardens.
Visitors can explore the historic and exceptionally rich collections of plants discovered and brought back from China. Of all the countries in the world, China enjoys the widest biodiversity and has made the greatest contribution to the British garden. Many of our most flamboyant, useful and colourful plants originate in China, including Rhododendrons, Camellias, Acers, Anemones, Magnolias, Bamboos, Peonies, Roses, Oaks, beautiful Dogwoods and the magnificent Davidia involucrata – the Dove or Pocket Handkerchief Tree.
The Great Gardens of Sussex is a partnership of five of the most important and historic gardens in Sussex. Each of the gardens was created at the time when China was first being explored by some of the greatest plant collectors in history. As a group, the gardens contain probably the best collection of original Chinese plant specimens in the country.
The Chinese Plant Extravaganza will celebrate the very best of the gardens as visitors will be able to enjoy a plant trail across all five of these spectacular locations, whilst enjoying various exhibitions and talks at each site. For further information, please contact each of the gardens directly or visit the web site: www.greatgardensofsussex.com
Nymans Join Nymans in May at half-term for Chinese Week, which runs Wed 28 May–Sun 1 Jun. The events programme celebrates the Chinese plant collection at Nymans, with guided walks and a Chinese trail, talks and slide-shows of the plants, Chinese artefacts in the House and family activities in the garden. The Messel family were regular and enthusiastic sponsors of the “Plant Hunter” Ernest Wilson, and his expeditions to China, where he collected seeds from Davidia involucrata. Much of the early development of the garden, such as the Arboreteum, Wall Garden and Pinetum were stocked with some of his finest woody plants. The Top Garden, which was added by Lennie Messel, features the largest example of one of Wilson 's finest trees: Meliosma veitchiorum.
High Beeches Gardens Follow the fascinating Chinese Plant Trail and celebrate the historic Chinese plant collection at High Beeches, including original specimens brought back by famous Victorian plant hunters Ernest Wilson, George Forrest and Pere David. Visit the informative Chinese Exhibition in the Stable Room and read the Chinese Plant Leaflet. Special ‘Chinese Plant' tours are available by prior appointment. Delight in seeing historic and rare plants including Magnolia sargentiana ‘Robusta', collected by E Wilson and not found in the wild again. The High Beeches tree is one of only four in the world.
Wakehurst Place Visitors can follow the Chinese Plant trail, explore 300 acres of gardens and woodlands and visit the Millennium Seed Bank, where many of China's endangered wild plant seeds have been preserved for the future. The gift shop and garden centre will feature displays of complementary gifts and plants.
Borde Hill Visitors will be enticed with a free guide to the most rare and interesting Chinese shrubs and trees including numerous ‘champion' trees collected by Forrest, Wilson and Farrer over 100 years ago. There will be background information on the plants, the location and the collection exhibited in the Peacock House.
Leonardslee lakes & gardens At Leonardslee, plant enthusiasts will have the opportunity of seeing some of the most spectacular spring colours. Discover the extent of the Chinese contributions to this Grade I listed garden through the Chinese Plant Trial and witness the breathtaking view of these rhododendrons and azaleas as they blossom throughout the valley.
-ends-
For further information please, contact the individual gardens, or visit the Great Gardens of Sussex website: www.greatgardensofsussex.com.
Nymans, Edward Shorthouse, 01444 400321, nymans@nationaltrust.org.uk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans
High Beeches Gardens , Sarah Bray, 01444 400589, gardens@highbeeches.com
www.highbeeches.com
Wakehurst Place , Sharon Buckley 01444 894018, pr wakehurst@kew.org
www.kew.org/wakehurst
Borde Hill Garden , Eleni Clarke 01444 884121, info@bordehill.co.uk
www.bordehill.co.uk
Leonardslee lakes & gardens , Tom Loder, 01403 891212, info@leonardsleegardens.com
www.leonardslee.com