‘A new design with sustainability and climate resilience at its core’
Parts of re-imagined garden in East Sussex are being inspired by the hilly mid-altitude forests of central Chile and Argentina.
‘Garden for the Future’ is currently reaping the benefits of its first major planting since it came into the care of the National Trust in 1954.
The area includes a dry exotic zone where plants are placed in (mainly) raised beds, allowing the use of species from parts of Tasmania, New Zealand, central and southern Chile and southern Argentina.
The gardens recently opened at Sheffield Park and Garden in East Sussex. The National Trust says the work aims to tackle the challenges of caring for the heritage landscape in a changing climate.
The team says it’s using ‘science and experimentation in horticulture, in line with Sheffield Park and Garden’s history’ which saw the influence of ‘Capability’ Brown and Humphry Repton on its development.
More than a century ago, Arthur Gilstrap Soames pushed boundaries with innovative and bold colour schemes, new plant hybrids and experimental planting of species from around the world.
The 120-acre garden provided the scale and opportunity to indulge Soames’ lifelong passion for horticulture and provided a testbed for observing how species around the globe adapted to different climates and growing conditions.
Combined with learnings from leading horticulturist of the day, E.A. Bowles, he was able to trial new methods in his vision for the future.
One of the dry exotic beds in the Garden for the Future. Image: James Dobson / National Trust Images.
‘We’ve created different planting habitats’
Now, in keeping with this pioneering spirit and with the help of three-time RHS Chelsea award-winning garden designer, Joe Perkins, the National Trust has made its own contribution to this legacy.
‘A core principle of the planting scheme is resilience. Early on, we identified the need for plants which can tolerate both extended periods of drought, and potentially heat, as well as cold winter temperatures,’ explains Joe.
‘We’ve created different planting habitats which will allow the team to explore plants from around the world that could be better adapted to future conditions.’
‘From drier raised beds to shadier, wetter woodland planting, we’re continuing with Arthur Soames’ experimental approach as we tackle the challenges and opportunities that climate change is predicted to bring us.’
Garden for the Future‘s Joe Perkins, three-time RHS Chelsea award-winning garden designer. Image: © Natalia Perkins / National Trust Images.
It says its’ new design is focused on sustainability and climate resilience at its core. The new space has transformed a corner of around half an acre into a new visitor experience designed to inform, inspire and refresh.
‘We’re using curiosity, experimentation and pioneering approaches to manage this spectacular garden,’ explains Pippa Reece, General Manager.
‘Garden for the Future is the springboard to a deeper understanding of our changing climate and how we can curate the wider garden for future generations to enjoy.’
‘A different style of planting’
Alongside this project the National Trust is taking a scientific approach to climate adaptation, sustainability and the preservation of living heritage.
In recent years, significant specimens in the collection at Sheffield Park have suffered with extremes in temperature and rainfall and some are nearing the end of their natural life.
The garden team are working with a wide range of partners to understand how to edit and add to the collection to create resilience for the future.
They explain the project will help to inform succession planting plans and future garden developments. It’ll also provide opportunities for continued professional learning for teams within the National Trust – and beyond.
‘The new garden provides an opportunity to engage visitors with a different style of planting, adapted to a different climate and planting environment, than they might see in the rest of the landscape at Sheffield Park, while taking inspiration from the garden surrounding it,’ says Jodie Hilton, Head Gardener.
‘We hope visitors will take a moment to pause and reflect in nature, in a corner of the landscape that was often overlooked until now.’
Jodie Hilton, Head Gardener. Image: © James Dobson / National Trust Images
A series of distinct areas, linked by meandering paths, are set among sweeping beds with space allowed for sightlines and views into the garden beyond:
The design includescurved solid wood benches and pebble seats, made from UK-sourced sequoia and designed with accessibility, sustainability and longevity in mind.
It’s all designed to ensure there’s plenty of seating to allow for people to connect with nature and quiet contemplation.
‘Bringing huge energy to an already stunning landscape’
The Trust looked beyond its boundaries to develop the new garden, consulting with internal and external specialists, staff, volunteers, visitors, supporters and community partners (Headway Sussex and Grow).
Since landscaping work started in January 2024, National Trust supporters and visitors have been invited to engage with the new space as it took shape.
They’ve been encouraged to suggest names for the new space and help to plant more than 4,500 plants during the project’s final phase.
‘The team at Sheffield Park are bringing huge energy to an already stunning landscape. Our gardens never sit still so, to keep enjoying the garden’s beauty into the future, we must constantly experiment,’ says Sheila Das, National Trust Head of Gardens and Parks.
‘In the wider garden, the team are looking into how the planting can be adapted for the future and in the Garden for the Future, visitors can enjoy a brand-new concept that sits well in the landscape but brings something new and inspiring.’
Image: © James Dobson / National Trust Images
The charity explains that members of The Royal Oak Foundation, its’ partner in the United States, have generously donated funds to support the project.
It added the project was also made possible in part by a generous gift left in a will for the benefit of the garden at Sheffield Park.
Landscape build for Garden for the Future was by The Landscaping Consultants, with plants supplied by Kelways nursery in Somerset.
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