Kipling Gardens

Rudyard Kipling

In the heart of Rottingdean, near Brighton, a charming garden with an interesting history delights locals, but most people who live outside the village wouldn't know it was even there. Hiding behind high walls, this council-maintained garden once belonged to Rudyard Kipling, who lived there from 1897 - 1902. In the latter part of the twentieth century the garden became neglected, but was rescued since 1980 by the Rottingdean Preservation Society, which still assists in its maintenance to this day. What a delight to discover a garden, free for all, planted and maintained so beautifully. If you are in the area it is well worth a visit!

Garden Visits

I have visited a number of gardens recently but have not found the time to post about them. So I shall try to put that right over the next few posts. Firstly Nymans, which I visited on Sunday. There's been quite a bit of work going on there recently, and some of the new planting is not yet established. However, the classic double borders did not disappoint. I couldn't get many photos without people, as it was jam packed - the one decent day of the bank holiday brought people out in their hundreds. We even had to queue for coffee - not good!

This Eryngium pandanifolium caught my eye - it was huge!

Scary news!

Yes, the time has come for me to go public - or my garden, that is! Having enjoyed the Coastal Garden Trail recently (see below) I've decided to be a part of it next August. It's all in a good cause and it will make me really focus on sorting out some problem areas in my garden. It's quite daunting to think of strangers coming into my garden and judging it - and I know they will, I do it all the time when I visit gardens! I think like most things, art, music, etc, it's often down to personal taste. I've visited many gardens I would have planted or designed differently, but the point is they are made to suit the owners. What is the point in creating something for others to marvel at if you don't enjoy it yourself? So I will open my garden to show others what I have put much love and care into, and some will like it, others won't. C'est la vie!

Meanwhile, here are the last few gardens on the trail, all in Seaford.

Coastal Trail Part Two

This garden in Telscombe Cliffs was crammed with beautiful plants. I love the different varieties of clematis that have made this fence their home.

These colours just shout 'SUMMER!'

Then it was off to Peacehaven. This garden was quite large and, luckily for us as we had built up a thirst, was serving teas. We enjoyed beatiful lemon cake beneath the pergola. Lovely!



Next on the trail was Newhaven. This garden, belonging to one of the coastguard cottages, slopes steeply downwards away from the cottage, and has been planted with a seaside theme.

In my next post I'll finish the trail with pictures from the other Seaford gardens. Plus some exciting news!

Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail

Firstly apologies for not blogging for a while. I've had a fabulous holiday in Spain, which although was very relaxing, did not involve any garden visiting, so no blogging material there! I've also been relandscaping my front garden, and I'll blog about that at a later date. On Sunday it was a real treat to get out and about and visit some local gardens. A new trail from Seaford to Saltdean had been organised in aid of Macmillan, by the owner of Driftwood, Geoff Stonebanks. This garden is just around the corner from me, and opens regularly for charity. The trail was officially opened at Driftwood by Dame Felicity Lott, the international opera singer, who also lives around the corner!

I was there to see the official opening, and took the opportunity to have a look around Driftwood's garden before the masses arrived!

Dame Felicity Lott with trail organiser Geoff Stonebanks

Leaving Driftwood behind we headed for Saltdean to see the next garden. Although quite small, the garden has been recently relandscaped with a tropical theme, with plants from Architectural plants.

As you can see the garden is crammed with all sorts of delights, and the tall plants lend a sense of excitement. What a great start to the trail with these two amazing gardens - I'll bring you the other gardens in my next post!