Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson’s Kentish garden
The view of Vita Sackville-West’s writing tower dominates all corners of the garden.
Vita Sackville-West’s Garden at Sissinghurst is a garden that I am very familiar with since it is in the south-east county of Kent in England where I grew up. It is now owned and operated by the English charity The National Trust. I visit the garden most years in May just as the roses and perennials are coming into peak bloom. Here are a few photos taken over the years to show some of the garden rooms.
The Approach to the Garden
You know that you are in for a flowery treat when the first garden bed is foxgloves and roses.
View through the gatehouse arch as you enter the garden.
Vita’s enchanting tower
Tower and flowers.
One of the most enchanting features of the garden at Sissinghurst is that the tower is visible from most corners of the garden. It gives you a sense of place and an opportunity to climb up and see the garden from above.
Vita’s writing tower is omnipresent in the garden.
Views from Vita’s writing tower
View of the rondel from Vita’s writing tower.
Delos
This garden was an original Sissinghurst garden but has been recently renovated and re-imagined with plenty of drought tolerant and sun-loving plants that give the space a Mediterranean feel.
View of the renovated Mediterranean garden called Delos.
View of the tower from the recently rejuvenated Mediterranean garden called Delos.
Vita’s White and Silver Garden
One of the most iconic gardens at Sissinghurst is Vita’s white and silver garden. At its center is an amazing specimen of the single white rose – Rosa mulliganii. Other treasures include white irises, poppies, and silver leaved plants.
View across the White Garden towards the silver-leaved Pyrus salicifolia tree.
Rosa mulliganii is the single white rose in the center of Vita’s white and silver garden.
A Selection of Other Gardens at Sissinghurst
A walk around the garden at Sissinghurst leads you to a variety of different garden rooms that each have their own characteristic plants and design. Here are a few of my favorites.
The Herb Garden at Sissinghurst.
The South Cottage provides the backdrop for hot colored plants.
Irises, Geum, and wallflowers sizzle in this bed of hot colored plants
Bye for now gardening friends. Wishing you wonderful garden visits this coming year. Cheers, Jenny Rose Carey
Jenny Rose Carey at the top of the Sissinghurst Castle tower in Kent, England.
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