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The Garden at the Clergy House.

Overview:

 Occupying a narrow strip of land, roughly two-thirds of an acre in size, the house and garden are sandwiched between a west facing bend in the River Cuckmere and Alfriston village green which is known locally as the Tye. The Tye (a corruption of the word Tithe) is dominated by St. Andrew's church, the magnificent, "Cathedral of the Downs". Little is known about the history of the property and it must be left to conjecture as to how the garden and surrounding area would have looked when the house was first built in 1350.

The garden has experienced mixed fortunes since the National Trust took possession in 1896. The most significant period of change occurred in the 1920's under the auspices of the then tenant of the property, (Sir) Robert Witt. (1872-1952). It is believed that he was responsible for terracing what had been a rather daunting slope down to a drainage channel and segmenting the garden into small, individual "rooms" (long before the idea became as fashionable as it is today). Looking at some of the decorative detail in the brick paving and the walls of brick and flint, and with the recurrence of concave and convex features, both in the garden and certain aspects of the house, I am obliged to think that Lutyens may also have been an inspiration in the design. It is well documented that he was involved in the design and construction of a house in nearby Willingdon.

The garden seems to have fallen into decline during the 1940's, 50's and 60's and considerable effort seems to have been made to redress the balance during the 1970's when the entire garden finally came under N.T. control. Most of the garden had been put down to lawn to set off the fine detail of the house more effectively and the only areas under cultivation were the vegetable garden and the original rose beds toward the back of the house. To all intents and purposes, the garden was effectively out of bounds to visitors. 

One of the problems associated with the house and garden has always been; trying to decide on a period in which to set the plantings. The layout of the house has changed considerably over time and the garden would have evolved as fashions and economic fortune changed alongside it. It was decided to set 1920 as a natural cut off point and to keep to plants from this particular period with perhaps more than a passing nod to earlier times. The most frequent comment normally expressed by our more senior visitors is that "I remember my grandmother growing those". My involvement with the garden began in 1984 with a brief to return the garden back to something approaching an "Edwardian" "country garden". The task continues.

The topsoil here is a grey, dusty, chalky, loam with an average depth of 6". It tends to blow away in the summer and pans solid following heavy rain. The subsoil varies dramatically from clay pocket to solid chalk. The average p.h. is 8.5 but can go up to 10 in places. Our prevailing winds are predominantly from the South-west and  with the English channel being only 5 miles away often carry a high salt content. In this garden, I do not use any inorganic chemicals to treat pests or disease. I firmly believe that if the soil is in good heart and the plants are well catered for in terms of food and water, there should be no need to automatically reach for a spray if danger threatens. I also believe that "companion planting" can go a long way towards relieving the need to use chemical pesticides or fertilizers. I have recently changed over to using a liquid and granular seaweed fertilizer taken from a renewable source rather than using a non-organic fertilizer. At first sight, it appears to be the best investment I have made so far. The borders are manured, lifted and divided in rotation, using a four-year cycle. This process normally takes place in September and October while the ground is still warm enough to encourage newly divided plants to put on a bit of root growth before winter sets in. I am a firm believer in following nature and this is the time to sow hardy annuals that will grow into bigger, stronger, earlier plants the following year. (snails and floods permitting). Plants that have not earned their keep are discarded in favour of something else and "good-doers" are lifted, divided and bulked up for use elsewhere.

 The following pages best describe a short tour around the garden. There is not enough space to mention all the plants in the garden but I have photographed the plants that are both MY favourites and the ones that are most frequently asked about. I would hope, that should you visit, I would be on hand to help with any queries you may have. 

 The links below will take you on the tour.

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