It's our last week of opening for the summer

It's the last week to see our garden flowering, including the two rare Chinese trees, before we open again for Halloween. Come and see us soon! We are open every day until Sunday 11 September, 10am to 6pm.

Family Day Sunday 28th August

Come and enjoy day our Family Day on Sunday 28th August - Modern Jazz Band, Picnic and Model Boat Club.

A fun day of music for all the family to enjoy white admiring the boating skills on display at the lake.

Blooming marvellous!

For the first time in Britain, two specimens of a rare Chinese tree have flowered at the same time on the same site; The deciduous tree (Emmenopterys henryi) is native to central and south-west China and was introduced to Britain in 1907 by the great plant hunter Ernest Wilson.

We planted a specimen in the Azalea Ringin 1928, which has flowered for the first time this year, along with its younger companion. The larger of the two, about 40 feet high, is collected from Forrest’s seed and has broader leaves. The smaller one is believed to be from Wilson’s collection bearing smaller leaves.

Described by Wilson as "one of the most strikingly beautiful trees of Chinese forests", the Emmenopterys is notoriously shy to flower in the West. It has reddish-purple young shoots and striking red leaves in spring, which mature to a glossy green, producing a shock of small white flowers.

The first to flower in the West was at Villa Taranto by Lake Maggiore, Italy, in 1971, while the first in the UK was at Kew Gardens’ sister site Wakehurst Place, West Sussex, in 1987.

Weather extremes are thought to trigger flowering. The cold, snowy winter and hot summer that year were mimicked in 2010 when Borde Hill’s younger specimen flowered, as did Wakehurst’s counterpart.
Severe cold and snow this year, followed in the summer by intense heat could have created the conditions ideal for both Borde Hill specimens to bloom.

‘This is a rare and amazing chance to witness the flowering of both plants in such abundance’ said Andy Stevens, Head Gardener.

The 1928 tree at Borde Hill, grown from seed collected by plant hunter George Forrest, on an expedition in Southern China, was one of many such expeditions sponsored by Colonel Stephenson Clarke over nearly 40 years that helped create the notable collection of trees and shrubs at the Grade II* listed Garden. Today we hold the largest collection of ‘champion’ trees to be found in private collection in the British Isles.

Music of Queen - a spectacular evening

We enjoyed a spectacular evening when the spirit of Queen pulsed through a 5,000-strong audience on Saturday, celebrating the music of iconic British band, Queen. The Music of Queen played a number of classic hits - Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions, Don’t Stop Me Now, Fat Bottom Girls and many more.

The concert fused music from a full rock band and 50 piece English National Orchestra providing a truly special performance. Stars from the West End smash hit musical ‘We Will Rock You’ played on stage, alongside over sixty performers making last week's performance one of the biggest rock shows on earth.

Family Day 14th August - come and join us

This Sunday we will be enjoying the sounds of traditional jazz from the Lord Snooty band. Bring a picnic, sit back and relax. You can also see Model Boat Club demonstrations on the lakes.

Matt Dawson is presenting Monster Munchies at Borde Hill next Wednesday!

In the second series of Monster Munchies, Matt Dawson is visiting towns and cities across the UK to engage with vibrant communities that make Britain’s best food.

Join him at Borde Hill, next Wednesday 10 August from 12:30pm, as he unveils two giant Lemon Meringue Pies.

Two local businesses will be challenged to make their awe-inspiring portions in just 24 hours. Five local judges will then choose the winning team based on taste, size and presentation.

Bring your friends and family along to watch the filming and eat some Monster pie!