Secluded Garden

This intimate garden takes the theme of the garden's influence on the senses. Poems on the subjects of sight, scent, hearing and touch illustrate this for the visitor. Hidden away by encompassing earth mounds, a pleached Lime circle surrounds a spiral fountain. From this a stream continues through the garden with waterside plantings and scented flowers. On rainy days, refuge can be sought in the small conservatory, which also contains a Braille map of the area.

The borders and plantings of water-loving plants are in a relaxed, cottage-garden style. Although they originate from other continents, many have become so familiar, they appear anglicised (e.g. Lavender), and the plantings are designed to enhance the theme of the senses. Rain splashes off the giant leaves of water-loving Gunnera tinctoria into the running stream and the wind rustles through the bamboo tunnel of (Phyllostachys virida-glaucescens).

Scents are provided by Rosa "Madame Isaac Periere" (tied into Hazel wigwams), Daphne bholua "Jaqueline Postil", and the Pelargonium species in the conservatory.

Many of the plants are fruitful: quince (Cydonia "Vranja"), apple and pear (Malus and Pyrus species), and others are visually remarkable. Summer brings the rocketing spires of the Foxtail Lily (Eremurus robustus), Mullien (Verbascum bombyciferum) and the Giant Lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum). Shades of the Japanese Iris (Iris ensata), the flaming winter orange of Willow (Salix "Britzensis") and showy pinks of the tissue-thin flowers of Cistus species give visual stimulation.

Many of the plants are tactile, from the curly fern species to the smooth surfaces of the arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica "Crowborough").

The Secluded Garden is generally free of pest and disease although black spot and aphid are ubiquitous problems for rose growers. Watch out for the scarlet adult of the Lily Beetle that affects the genus in the south of England. The compact nature of the site requires the horticulturist to mulch, stake, and tie plants early in the season.

The Secluded Garden contains 218 accessions, and is number 39 on the Visitor Map.