Maintaining Sissinghurst's renowned garden during the summer: an exploration of the gardening techniques employed by the gardeners at Sissinghurst to ensure its continuous bloom.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden's White Garden: A Timeless Essay in White

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, nestled in the heart of Kent, England, is home to one of the most celebrated and influential gardens of the 20th century – the White Garden. This extraordinary garden, rare at its inception, has since become a beacon of horticultural innovation and beauty.

The White Garden, an essay in the use of flowers and foliage within the limited palette of grey, green, and white, comes to life in June. The annual Ammi majus hangs over the garden like sheets of faded muslin, creating a delicate veil that dances in the breeze. The current star of the show is the Crambe cordifolia, a towering plant adorned with a cage of white flowers that soars overhead.

Among the sea of white, other plants boldly assert themselves. Lilium regale emerges, pushing its way through the grey Artemisia and silvery Cineraria maritima. Repeated mounds of lavender bubble like boiling water in a pan, adding a subtle scent to the air.

As the sun sets, the White Garden transitions into the vibrant Sunset Garden. A tidal wave of deeply saturated color washes over the space, with reds, oranges, and bright yellows taking center stage. The vermillion-coloured flowers of Crocosmia 'Lucifer' and Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' are the stars of this spectacle.

The care and maintenance of these gardens are entrusted to Troy Scott Smith, the current Head Gardener at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, who has been in this position since May 2013. The team analyses the planting throughout the year in each of the ten Sissinghurst 'rooms' to plan for autumn changes and improvements for the following year.

In the White Garden, the little avenue of Almond trees is adorned with Rosa filipes and the genuine old 'Garland' Rose in June, creating a picturesque scene that is a testament to the enduring beauty of this garden. The White Garden, with its timeless charm and innovative design, continues to captivate visitors and inspire gardeners alike.

Maintaining Sissinghurst's renowned garden during the summer: an exploration of the gardening techniques employed by the gardeners at Sissinghurst to ensure its continuous bloom.