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About Denmans Garden
Denmans Garden is a tranquil contemporary garden on the southern slope of the South Downs. Converted by horticulturalist Joyce Robinson from a post-war market garden to an ornamental garden, Denmans is comprised of a diverse series of spaces connected by curving paths of gravel and mown lawn through rough grass.
Mrs Robinson, who lived at Denmans from 1946-96, was ahead of her time in considering the environment in her plantings and was a pioneer in creating naturalistic, low-maintenance gravel gardens. She started her gravel gardens at Denmans in 1970 and, inspired by the Greek landscape and the dry riverbeds of the South Downs, created two faux riverbeds on a slope formerly occupied by Guernsey calves. They terminate in a pond built by John Brookes MBE, one of Britain’s most influential and renowned landscape designers, who lived and gardened at Denmans from 1980-2018.
Mr Brookes believed Mrs Robinson’s spontaneous plant combinations, which included grasses, herbs, shrubs and perennials, pointed the way of future gardening. He fused her novel planting style with his own characteristically bold design flair, focusing on structure, texture, pattern, and colour. Rather than changing the garden, Brookes embraced Robinson’s achievement, integrating his own strong, curving lines punctuated with muscular architectural plantings and a coherent geometry, adding two ponds and touches of sculpture and topiary. The combination of their approaches serves to make Denmans Garden seem much larger than it is; a unique and tranquil garden that ‘works’ in all seasons.
Denmans, a Grade II post-war garden on the National Heritage List for England, also features a Walled Garden and a conservatory. Sheltered by the Downs and bathed in southern sunlight, the garden is full of unusual plants, some semi-tropical and some collected by Mrs Robinson and Mr Brookes from abroad. It’s known for its creative plant associations and seemingly random plantings juxtaposed against both clipped and natural architectural plants.
The garden, which has benches throughout for contemplation, has a strong year-round interest and has been undergoing restoration since January 2018. Visitors will find inspiration and design ideas for gardeners of all skill levels and garden sizes. Staff are always happy to answer questions.
The Plant Centre features for sale unusual plants most of which are propagated on site. The Gift Shop has one-off garden ornaments, pots, and vintage accessories along with work by local artists and makers. Midpines Café, nestled within the old dairy at Denmans Garden is now a sympathetically designed conservatory offering breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas and a selection of sweet treats. For bookings and questions email [email protected] or Phone: 01243 256621
Media Links
Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/how-to-grow/the-low-effort-garden-that-thrives-in-any-weather/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardens-to-visit/great-honour-gardeners-reveal-manage-pedigree-plot/
Gardening with the RHS Podcast: https://podfollow.com/rhs-gardening/episode/1de7d36a3236fad8c1b0d07c6ed42d43530d0649/view
Garden Masterclass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9KIQ_n-fog
Roots and All: https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/episode-127-john-brookes-and-denmans-with-gwendolyn-van-paasschen/
Horticulture Week: https://www.hortweek.com/horticulture-week-podcast-protecting-legacy-john-brookes-denmans-garden/parks-and-gardens/article/1734547
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Website:
https://www.denmans.org
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