With an abundance of colour in the garden and out on the estate there's lots to see during the summer months.
The Summer Garden
During May we see the bloom of our Irises around the garden, these colourful bulbs are a bright start to the summer as they come out in their numbers. There's always a subtle transitional period within the garden walls when our bulb flowers start to fade and the bright roses in the rose garden take centre stage in June. The rose garden was one of Vita's favourite 'rooms,' which she fondly described as a
"
Tumble of roses and honeysuckle, figs and vines. "
The garden is an ever changing tapestry of colour throughout the year, transormations take place week on week and the differences between one month to the next can make the garden nearly unrecognisable. While May and June see Irises and Roses flourishing in their numbers, July and August is when the garden takes on a contrast of colour. This is best seen in the cottage garden which is renouned for fiery golden hues during the late summer which is a stark conrast to the white garden which shimmers with moonlit planting.
Vita Sackville-West created this beautiful garden at Sissinghurst
National Trust Images / Jonathan Buckley
Vita Sackville-West created this beautiful garden at Sissinghurst
With a passion for single toned gardens, the white garden was one of Vita's finest creations. Read on to find out more about this unique gardening masterpiece.
The South Cottage Garden
Warm reds and gold mark out the South Cottage Garden, which is a riot of colour in late summer and autumn.
Against the wall of the South Cottage, the early-summer-flowering rose Mme Alfred Carriere was the first thing that Vita and Harold planted at Sissinghurst, on the day their offer to buy was accepted.
The South Cottage garden filled with fiery yellows and reds
Jonathan Buckley
The South Cottage garden filled with fiery yellows and reds
The Vegetable Garden
Summer sees the vegetable garden take on a new look, with flowers springing up throughout the beds there's plenty of colour added to the formal rows of vegetables. There's also lots of space to explore around the veg garden with tucked away corners to take in the views across the low wealden landscape.
A Great Escape
There's nothing quite as relaxing as a stroll through the countryside and here at Sissinghurst we're lucky enough to enjoy 460 acres of diverse estate. If you're looking to unwind and get away from the hustle and bustle then make your way to visitor reception so that you can pick up our estate map to help you explore the far reaching grounds. We have a very popular lake walk which is a mile long however if you're looking to explore slightly further afield there're some great locations for you to enjoy. The bird hide is a great spot to sit and while away the hours as you take in the sights and sounds around you.
Read on to find out more about what's going on inside the oast house. Be sure to take a look inside before exploring the estate to help set up your great adventure.
Winter work in the garden at SissinghurstNational Trust images/garden team
Nature Indoors at Sissinghurst: ‘A flowerless room is a soul-less room’ - Our new exhibition explores Vita and Harold's love off the botanical not only in their garden but within their living space as well.
This summer, Sissinghurst will host a specially-commissioned art installation by Charlotte Smithson, a Manchester-based artist whose work blends design, craft and botany.