insideKENT Magazine Issue 27 - June 2014 | Page 108

DAYSOUT

Scotney Castle, National Trust, © John Miller

Chartwell, National Trust, © Ian Shaw

Emmetts Garden, National Trust, © Jonathan Buckley

KENT'S BEST SUMMER GARDENS
Celebrate the arrival of summer with the National Trust’s top tips on where to see the best
gardens in bloom in Kent, and how to grow the best roses in your neighbourhood.
Synonymous with scented rose displays, delicate English country gardens, bountiful
borders and kitchen gardens bursting with fruit and vegetables, Kent's grounds are at
their peak in summer. There are unmissable colours, smells and relaxing spots to enjoy,
whilst getting closer to nature.
The National Trust's top spots for summer garden delights are:

Roses
Chartwell
Flowering from June to October, Lady Churchill’s rose garden was undoubtedly her
favourite part of the grounds at Chartwell, filled with a mixture of Floribundas and Hybrid
Teas. The heavily scented Ice Cream and Royal William varieties are some of the most
popular, alongside the dramatic climbing roses around the walled garden.
Emmetts Garden
Emmetts boasts a classically planted, small formal rose garden, that is affectionately
known as the 'ladies rose garden'. It’s currently home to a pink rose collection, and with
complementing pink herbaceous borders and bulbs, it matches the original colour designs
from its creator, Frederic Lubbock.
Sissinghurst Castle
Famous for its rose garden filled with old rose varieties, don’t miss the first plant that Vita
and Harold planted at Kent's Sissinghurst Castle – a rose on the wall of the South Cottage,
of which 80 years later is still going strong.

Rose tips
For rose enthusiasts who are keen to create their own rose
garden, Troy Scott Smith, head gardener at Sissinghurst
Castle in Kent, names his favourite species and top tips on
how to look after them.
Top roses
All roses are lovely. We grow nearly 300 different species at
Sissinghurst Castle, but for me, I love the wayward nature
and the romance associated with the ramblers. Try Mme
Alfred Carriere, Paul’s Himalayan Musk, or for a more modest
size, go for the early flowering and wonderful scented, Claire
Jacquier. They are easy to grow in all soil types, flower for
long periods, and all have a wonderful scent.
All roses need food
We use a good amount of compost or cow muck in late
winter and early spring, in addition to a good feed of rose
fertiliser. I would also recommend additional liquid feeds
during spring on a fortnightly basis, and another application
of rose fertiliser after flowering. Depending on which varieties
you have chosen to grow, don’t forget that regular spraying
for rust and black spot is essential.
Don’t miss the roses in bloom
My final tip would be to make sure you’re not on holiday
when the roses perform!

Summer borders
Scotney Castle
A mix of colours burst from the herbaceous borders around the picturesque medieval
Scotney Castle ruins. Its inner courtyard is famous for its roses, clematis and geraniums,
and the itea that climbs and clings to the walls. There is also 23 different species of
dragonflies around the moat, which add to the colourful scene.

Kitchen gardens
Sissinghurst Castle
An acre in size, the kitchen garden at Sissinghurst Castle grows 80 different varieties of
vegetables, and offers far-reaching views across the Kentish weald. There is also a 4.5acre orchard, with 636 trees growing apples, pears, plums, damsons, greengages and
cherries.

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About the National Trust
The National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares
of countryside, 742 miles of coastline and hundreds of
special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For more information and ideas for great value family
days out, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

/nationaltrust or /NationalTrustLondonandSouthEast
@nationaltrust or @southeastNT