Early spring – plants, pears, pergolas about to burst!

Close up of brave aconites emerging with snowdrops nearby in bitter cold of late February morning.

The walled garden here at West Dean is all about structure and monotone colours beyond the green. Pear and apple trees are trained espaliers against walls and in pyramids – awaiting blossom in April and fruit in September.  West Dean Gardens boasts one of the longest pergolas in the country at 100m long – by June it will be engulfed with purple wisteria.