Nyman's Gardens

Mother and I ventured to the north island in June, and headed to West Sussex and a visit to Nyman's. We stopped off at Amberly and had lunch in a pleasant pub by the river. Enormous portions and we didn't need to eat for the remainder of the day!

 

Nyman's was everything I hoped for. From the moment we got into the car park, there were magnificent trees, most notably a type of weeping conifer. I didn't recognise it, and failed to find out its name unfortunately. Once through reception we entered the gardens proper, and discovered a truly well planned garden, planted with foresight and flair. Everywhere we looked were magnificent specimens of trees, many flowering, and those that weren't had interesting foliage and bark. We were still in time to see Rhododendrons and Azaleas flowering, though most were just starting to go over.

 

The path wound around, and we came to an enclosed rose garden, planted with many old fashioned varieties. I wandered round inhaling the scent deeply in the drizzle. Lovely. Next was a wooden pathway through a bamboo plantation, with many of the plants dating from the beginning of the gardens. There was quite a variety of bamboo to see.

 

Along one side of the gardens was a 'Lime Walk', an avenue planted with lime trees. This overlooked  a vista of pasture and woodland, rather swathed in drizzle and low cloud on this occasion. Still lovely. The path brought us to the ruins of Nyman's House, which suffered a great fire in the mid twentieth century. Most of it is now uninhabitable, but it is still glorious to observe. In front of the remaining living quarters was a pleasant courtyard garden, enclosed on three sides by garden walls and by the house on the other. The planting was just my style; lots of deep purples and reds from the many herbaceous plants in the borders and roses on the walls.

 

Finally we went to the wild garden; this was across the main road from the back entrance to the garden, and led steeply down the valley so we didn't go far as Mum was tired. Many more interesting trees and shrubs, with long grass and wildflowers. Very peaceful.

 

Nyman's is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area, plant lover or not.

 

Rosa mundi

Courtyard garden

Styrax obassia

Gunners manicata