Just a quick alert to say that Sussex Prairies, near Henfield, are open to the public this Sunday for the last time this year (visits by appointment at other times). I'd heard about this garden about a year ago via Sussex Gardens Trust and had meant to go on one of their visits there last September. The garden is described by its creators Paul and Pauline McBride as "the biggest naturalistic prairie garden in Sussex and one of the biggest in the country".
Then yesterday evening I heard about the place again from some fellow gardengoers who'd been there this September and loved it. What caught my attention was when they mentioned that the prairie planting was cut through with vistas. Though it was late in the year, they said there would still be quite a lot to see, and even flowers such as alliums that might have gone over would be sculptural and still impressive (though if I make it next weekend, I'll definitely plan a return visit mid-summer for the full technicolor experience).
This Sunday 24th is the second time they're opening this month and, as far as I can see, the last public opening this year - in the wake of a feature on Gardeners' World last Friday 15th. On their website, they promise visitors "a great selection of home made cakes and hot or cold drinks served on our terrace overlooking the garden" (http://www.sussexprairies.co.uk) .
For the BBC Gardeners' World feature on the garden, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00vdjj8/Gardeners_World_2010_2011_Episode_26/
