GARDENS
garden and in the 1950s, Charles Henry Robinson
be open all year,” Adam says. “The biggest
added a centre saucer pool. Following work to
challenge for gardeners at Ightham Mote is the
restore the edging and make the saucer pool
natural water springs appearing. Most of the paths
watertight, the Formal Garden will be planted in
are grass paths and are subject to a lot of wear
the Victorian style once again.
and tear, which needs to be carefully managed.
Pools, ponds and water features of all kinds are
planning the summer bedding schemes have also
the middle pond in the three stew system of fish
been key jobs over the last few months. This
production, though the former top or green pond
month we’ll be concentrating on staying on top of
was landscaped in the 18th century to create an
grass cutting and general maintenance in
ornamental stream and formal orchard. Renowned
preparation for the summer planting in June, as
19th century naturalist Prideaux John Selby turned
well as sowing and growing in the green house.” Adam cites the lakes, cascade and formal
showcase his exotic tree collection and the
terrace as his favourite parts of the garden, and
garden team are now returning the area to that
recommends that visitors this year should make
period’s style; sight lines from the house are being
sure they see the sweet pea and lavender walk in
opened up and the spot is being replanted with
the cuttings garden.
19th century collectors’ trees. Thousands of
“The most commonly asked question from
daffodils were planted during the winter, including
visitors is, ‘what is the twisted tree?’ The answer
the Lent Lily, which has been around since at least
is that it’s a 700-year-old sweet chestnut.”
the 12th century; in fact, it was this daffodil that
For those who have been inspired by Ightham
helped inspire Wordsworth’s famous poem,
Mote’s gorgeous historic grounds, Adam has this
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.
advice for recreating the feel in your own garden.
The South Lake is an important conservation area
ANDREW BUTLER NTPL
Sowing annuals to plug gaps in the borders and
significant at Ightham Mote. The North Pond is
the North Lake area into pleasure grounds to
SO
“You can take the Ightham Mote atmosphere
and formed part of the medieval water management
home by using hazel fencing around beds,
system. Visits to the South Lake are available as part
planting sweet peas for scent and perhaps
of a free guided tour and offer a chance to see
introducing the sound of water.”
conservation in action. The mill that was previously here disappeared in the 18th century, but the garden
For information on Ightham Mote’s
created subsequently, with meadows below, is only
opening times and admission prices,
just beginning to re-emerge.
visit the website or call 01732 810 378.
In preparing for the spring and summer, water has again been an important consideration. “We’ve been looking at understanding and
Ightham Mote Mote Road, Ivy Hatch,
managing the water springs with a view to
Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0NT
installing better drainage to enable grass paths to
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote
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