This is a garden I have been reading about and admiring in photographs for several years and I have enjoyed watching it develop. Imagine our surprise when we were on a mid-week break in September and discovered that we were staying in a hotel not too far from the Sussex Prairie Garden. We couldn’t miss this opportunity so it soon found a slot in our schedule. The big question was “Can it really be as good as we are expecting?” and this stayed in my mind as we drove out to visit it. Surely we wouldn’t be disappointed!
We weren’t and we knew immediately that we wouldn’t be by the welcoming entrance, an unusual, quirky and humorous way in, coupled with a distinctive and beautifully designed garden sign.
We also loved the simple stylized plan of the garden and the welcome notes on the back.
The leaflet described the garden as an “extraordinary garden features huge borders of sumptuous planting combinations that inspire and immerse you in an ever changing wave of texture, colour and form.”
To get to the main garden and tea shop we diverted to follow a path through the cutting garden. This area was to prepare us for the wonderful main garden we would explore after our tea and cakes.
There are 8 acres of naturalistically planted prairie garden containing over 50 ooo plants of over 1000 varieties and these are a magnet for wildlife. The only way to share such an exciting garden with you is to create a gallery for you to follow. As usual please click on the first photo and then navigate with the arrows.
We love sculpture in the garden and here at the Sussex Prairie Garden it was used very well, integrated beautifully into the planting areas and on open areas of mown grass.
As we reached the furthest point in the garden from the entrance we were in for a colourful surprise before we continued on our wanderings, beautiful fabric hangings on the fence.
So the Sussex Prairie was as good as we had hoped, the planting and design was remarkable. We must return again perhaps in the autumn season.
greenbenchramblings 
2 replies on “Sussex Prairie Garden – a prairie garden in Sussex”
Wow : what a beautiful set of photos.This summer over may Mondays Russell and I have walked the Downs Link from Guildford to Shoreham on Sea. On one loop we walked, I now realise, we were less than a mile from this garden. I must go back. Anyone in the area who is short of refreshment should go to Stan’s Bike Shack, Partridge Green on The Downs Link : wonderful coffee, cake, and even full english as you watch videos of great bicycle races.For something stronger ‘The Partridge’ brews its own beer. All within 4 miles of this garden. Beautiful area altogether.
Marvelous…