Borde Hill Garden: A Plant Hunter's Paradise

Borde Hill Garden is a historic garden in West Sussex, set in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It was created in the 1890s by Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke, who used plants from several continents brought back to England by early 1900s plant hunters. The garden is renowned for its collection of rare shrubs and trees and is still owned by the Stephenson Clarke family. This new book, the first dedicated to Borde Hill, includes exclusive access to the Borde Hill archive and provides insight into the horticultural world and social history of the interwar years. The garden is laid out as a series of intimate outdoor rooms, with wide lawns and one of the country's largest collections of privately owned rare trees.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Merrell Publishers Ltd

Nestled within the historic parkland of West Sussex, Borde Hill Garden boasts a prestigious designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Elizabethan mansion, acquired in the 1890s by Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke (known as Stephie), embarked on an extraordinary journey of creation, transforming the garden and woodland into a paradise adorned with plants sourced from across continents. Over a century and three generations later, Borde Hill remains in the cherished ownership of the Stephenson Clarke family, and today, it stands as a renowned haven for its exceptional collection of rare shrubs and trees. This captivating new book, the first dedicated to Borde Hill, unfolds in two main sections. The first part, titled "The History," grants exclusive access to the Borde Hill archive, a treasure trove of family photographs and a wealth of written sources. These include letters exchanged between Stephie and renowned nurserymen, botanical garden directors, fellow landowners, and plant hunters, offering a unique insight into the horticultural world and the social history of the interwar years. Through these correspondence, the reader is privy to acts of courage by renowned plant explorers like George Forrest and Ernest Wilson, as well as the professional caliber of Stephie and his gardening acquaintances. The second part of the book takes the reader on an enchanting tour of the garden, vividly illustrated by the magnificent photography of John Glover. Borde Hill is meticulously designed as a series of intimate outdoor rooms, each showcasing its own unique charm. Among these are the Old Rhododendron Garden, resplendent with its vibrant rhododendrons; the Rose Garden, adorned with a myriad of roses in full bloom; and the terraced Italian Garden, reminiscent of a Mediterranean paradise. The estate's expansive grounds extend further, encompassing wide lawns that seamlessly blend into the surrounding countryside. Here, a multitude of plant species, many exclusive to Britain, thrive, creating a botanical wonderland. Moreover, Borde Hill boasts one of the country's most extensive collections of privately owned rare trees, adding an extra layer of enchantment to its already breathtaking allure. It is no wonder that Borde Hill captivates visitors with its unparalleled beauty and horticultural excellence, offering a truly unforgettable experience.

Weight: 1606g
Dimension: 260 x 298 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781858946900