Charming Georgian Home nestled amidst the picturesque Sussex countryside boasts a captivating, dreamy romantic garden.
Hangin' out at Fittleworth House feels like stepping into a lush oasis, straight up," Mark Saunders, head gardener, exclaims. This morning, he's jotted down sightings of a firecrest and red kite in his wildlife notebook, and tree creeper, spotted fly catcher, and blue tits are currently busying themselves in the 250-year-old cedar of Lebanon.
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Nature ain't just a one-way ticket here - biodiversity and sustainability are the name of the game, from crafting wild habitats to large-scale composting, organic pest control, and using local and recycled materials for the food patch. "Wildlife's the big kahuna for me," declares Mark.
Fittleworth House: Onto ya thoughts
- What A somewhat wild yet organized private garden with Spring Garden, Stream Garden, Fountain Garden, walled kitchen garden, glasshouse, potting shed, and more.
- Where West Sussex.
- Size Spread across three acres.
- Soil Sandy loam over clay. Climate Temperate.
- Hardiness zone USDA 9a.
Mark's been on this gardening gig for 27 years at the Georgian abode and his bond with the land is unmistakable. Strolling through the joint, he weaves tales of the restoration and management of the three-acre garden. The Grade II-listed manor was built in the early 1700s as a village squire's abode and is now the home to Edward and Isabel Braham and their kinfolk.
He don't give a rat's ass about the hue of my plants, see
Mark runs the show with his son Peter and part-timer Alan Seeley, and he's got some help from volunteers. "I handle the day-to-day gardenings, designing, plan implementations, and maintenance. Major projects? We hash that out with the owners," Mark explains, adding they take an active interest in the gardens but don't get their hands too dirty. "The garden's part of their crib, but we look after it for 'em."
I give the pond a break - let nature do her thing
When Mark stepped onto the property back in October 1997, he knew he hit the jackpot. "The garden was seriously underdeveloped, and the walled garden required some TLC. I saw my chance to commit to a big ol' gardening project." The first order of business? Cleaning up that potting shed, of course!
Behind that well-kept shed, draped with three different clematis - 'Crystal Fountain,' 'Niobe,' and 'Nelly Moser' - lays the Spring Garden, brimming with the wild yet harmonious grass and the tall umbels of Anthriscus sylvestris, alongside rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias providing a pop of color. The idea of soft shapes and patterns plays a significant role in Mark's design philosophy.
If you can spot an edge, humans follow; lines guide us
The path through the long grass moves steeply upward and passes by a fragrant Malus hupehensis, with its pure-white blossoms that transform into rich-red crab apples during autumn. "My main tool? A strimmer - it's a lifesaver when it comes to defining an edge," Mark admits. "Edge visibility attracts humans, lines guide 'em."
In the process of taking over this patch in '97, Mark removed a colossal Rhododendron ponticum from this area, creating room for the first of three ponds, which now hosts a thriving set of amphibians and dragonfly larvae. "I think of it as a mini wildlife sanctuary for mother nature to just be."
Mark's understanding towards unwanted intrudters like weeds and wildflowers shows: if they provide benefits for pollinators or help shield the soil's mycorrhizal fungi from the sun, he's all for 'em.
The east-facing, terraced land from the house displays delicate formal touches. "I'm big on layers - from trees down to shrubs, plants to ground cover, I aim for an organic structure."
Shrub roses such as 'Ballerina,' 'Bonica' ('Meidomonac'), and 'Rosy Cushion' (= 'Interall') form a densely packed bank, accompanied by the bee-loving Allium siculum, geraniums, and anthemis. The lawn unfurls before us, bordered by the cedar of Lebanon on the south and a majestic holm oak on the north, with structurally solid shrubs like Phormium tenax, Sarcococca confusa, and assorted Pittosporum creating a neat boundary.
A series of steps lead into the Fountain Garden, featuring a raised central circle pond and topiary Buxus lining the border. Peter, working alongside his dad for ten years, has orchestrated groups of Molinia, Festuca, and Carex throughout, contrasting beautifully with the pots filled with tulips like 'Angélique,' 'Kingsblood,' and 'Antoinette.'
As for annuals, dahlias steal the show - 140 were cultivated last year, with seeds used for some. Cosmos, scabious, and asters make their presence known too. "Nothing gaudy. I'm the Christopher Lloyd type, though; I don't fuss about what you think of my color schemes."
The joy of Fittleworth House's garden comes from a mix of wild abandon and structured love. "It's semi-untamed around the edges, but it's cultivated with enough attention and love." Mark's not here to tame nature into submission; he's here to nurture it and let it thrive, letting its beauty shine for all to see.
Useful facts:
Address: Fittleworth House, Bedham Lane, Fittleworth, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1JH. Phone: 01798 865074. Website: ngs.org.uk
Visit Fittleworth House on specific dates throughout the year. Check their website for up-to-date schedule information.
Gardening secrets from Fittleworth, West Sussex:
- Use native plants and trees for better wildlife support, such as guelder rose, hazel, sloe, hawthorn, ox-eyed daisies, ragged robin, bugle, foxgloves, yellow mullein, and honesty.
- Encourage beneficial wildlife like toads, hedgehogs, and thrushes to help control garden pests like snails and slugs naturally.
- Utilize mulches and organic matter to improve and balance soil quality.
- Choose pest-resistant plant varieties, like mildew-resistant aster varieties.
- Implement physical barriers, like copper tape or copper containers, to safeguard vulnerable plants from infestation.
- Use porous soaker hoses for efficient watering and reduced water waste.
- Employ greenhouse predators, like ladybugs and praying mantis, for more natural pest control.
- Think twice before pulling up weeds or wildflowers, as many provide essential nutrients and attract beneficial pollinators.
- Utilize regionally available materials, such as Fittleworth stone, to minimize environmental impact.
- Adopt environmentally friendly pruning practices like the Wimbledon chop on asters, and hand pruning on native woody plants like white-stemmed bramble, willow, and dogwood.
- The White House farm garden in Kent displays a similar focus on biodiversity and sustainability, offering a unique experience for those interested in wildlife and organic gardening.
- Embracing a wild side in the Somerset garden could appeal to individuals seeking a more natural, untamed gardening lifestyle, much like at Fittleworth House.
- For those captivated by the idea of blending romance with nature, gardens along the shores of Loch Ness might be worth exploring, further immersing themselves in a home-and-garden lifestyle that values the environment.
- Garden enthusiasts in Sussex may find pleasure in exploring multiple gardens, following in the footsteps of Fittleworth House, which prioritizes sustainability and wildlife in its design and maintenance, combining organization with a touch of wild abandon.
