Wednesday 23 July 2014

NYMANS: THE SUMMER BORDERS


Click here for the 'Seeds of Eaden' seed shop

Nymans gardens are located in the heart of the Sussex Weald.  The estate consists of over 600 acres which includes 300 acres of farmland, 275 acres of woodland and 33 acres of formal gardens.


The famous Summer Borders at Nymans are one of the highlights of the gardens. Located within the walled garden and amongst a dramatic backdrop of topiary yew these old herbaceous borders were updated to include annuals, perennials, shrubs and grasses. 

These double borders have a bright colour range and a long flowering period, and contrast with the more muted tones of the preceding June border. As their names suggests the borders are at their peak in July and August, but flowering lasts until the first frost in October/November.

The borders are planted out in four rows, to give a graduation of heights from tall at the back of the border to shorter plants at the front.  This gentle graduation giving a balance of heights and ensure that as much of the planting within the border is visible at any one time. Plants are located in single colour drifts to give an enhanced effect and the large clumps do not disappoint, contrasting dramatically with each other.

Preparing the Summer Borders



Preparation starts in February, when the gardens start to grow seeds of annuals in the onsite greenhouse. The taller and more vigorous plants are potted on in the spring.

In late April/may the borders are marked out with sand to the design and labelled ready for planting. Planting takes place on a single day in may with an army of volunteers and gardeners.  Taller plants are staked with hazel to prevent flopping.

Dead heading is carried out weekly from June onwards to ensure a long flowering season, and an eye is kept on pests and diseases. At the end of the season the borders are cleared.  The Dahlias are lifted and stored overwinter and a green manure (broad beans) are sown into the soil.


Annuals
Cineraria cirrus
Anithrhimum 'scarlet giant
Cleome
Cosmos
marigold
Salvia


Perenials & Herbaceous
Helichrysum
Eupaturium
Rudbeckia maxima
Rudbeckia. 'Toto gold'
Scabious
silphium
Veromastrum


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