High Beeches

Nestled in the forest ridges of West Sussex, mid-way between London and the south coast sits High Beeches Woodland & Water Garden, containing a beautiful collection of rarely seen plants and trees surrounding peaceful water gardens.

 

 

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The reason for our visit was to view the Blue Willow Gentians which are in full flower at this time of year. High Beeches is said to be the only UK garden in which these shade loving plants have naturalised in such large numbers.

 

 

We took to the descending paths, through an acid wildflower meadow that had not been ploughed or cultivated within living memory to see pirouetting butterflies, diaphanous winged dragonflies and friends dancing amongst the Devil's Bit Scabious.

 

Down into enchanting mossy woodland glades, we walked marked tracks past ponds bordered by enormous Gunnera Manicata, malodourous American Swamp Lily and then thankfully on to swathes of sweetly scented Hedychium Gardnerianum growing under a dizzying array of trees including some very impressive Magnolia, Rhododendron and Acer. 

 

At last the Willow Gentians we sought revealed themselves with trumpet shaped flowers in the most beautiful and vivid shade of blue scattered all over the lower gardens. The long descend concluded with a much longer ascend to a well deserved picnic with views over the High Weald.