Sissinghurst Castle Garden, located in Kent, England, is known for its stunning beauty and rich history, but a fact that stands out is the concept behind its design.
The garden was created by Vita Sackville-West, a poet and writer, and her husband Harold Nicolson, a diplomat and author, in the 1930s. Instead of following a single, unified design, they organized the garden into a series of “rooms.”
Each room has its own unique character, theme, and mood, created through the use of distinct plants, colors, and layouts. The idea was to evoke different feelings as visitors moved from one garden room to another, much like walking through a well-curated house.
These rooms, enclosed by high clipped hedges and pink brick walls, include the White Garden, the Cottage Garden, the Rose Garden, and several others, each offering a unique atmosphere and experience. Moreover, Sackville-West was known for her “tower writing room,” situated at the top of a Tudor tower in the middle of the gardens.
It’s here that she penned her weekly gardening column for The Observer, often drawing inspiration from her immediate surroundings. This setup reflects her deep connection with the garden and her desire to be immersed in the very environment she helped create.
Lear more about the Sissinghurst Castle Garden on their website.
About The Author
John Bagnasco has been in the gardening industry for over 50 years, starting with a horticulture degree from Michigan State University and following a stint at Frank’s Nursery and Crafts in Detroit.
After publishing his first book “Plants for the Home Vol. I” in 1976, he moved to California to become regional manager and buyer for the Nurseryland division of Sunbelt Nursery Group.
He then became the head buyer for Armstrong Garden Centers based in Glendora, California. John had a part-time affiliation with Creative Promotions for ten years before joining them full-time in October 2000 as a senior editor and radio personality for Garden Compass.
John has also taught horticulture classes at Palomar College and San Diego State University.
He is the host of the DVD “The Essential Guide to Roses,” which also features Bryan Main and Bruce and Sharon Asakawa.
His most recent book is “Planting Designs for Cacti and Succulents”.
Currently, John is a co-host on “Garden America,” an interactive live gardening show that additionally provides podcasts of the broadcasts accessible on all major platforms.
You can contact John here.