When I first saw the gardens they were self contained and very overgrown and neglected. As they were cleared the beautiful old flint walls and a range of elegant arches, built into the base of the castle mound, were revealed.

The client was a businessman with an expanding publishing company and was a very keen gardener himself.

When I first saw the gardens they were self contained and very overgrown and neglected. As they were cleared the beautiful old flint walls and a range of elegant arches, built into the base of the castle mound, were revealed.

We decided to make gateways through the walls so that gardens could be enjoyed like a series of rooms.

I used re- claimed clay paviors and gravel to make seating areas and paths linking the gardens.

Four very old domed Buxus sempervirens bushes, that stood like sentries in one of the gardens, were retained and influenced the formal clipped style of some of the planting. The rest was a more loose mix of plants, inky blue irises, Arum lilies, lavander and old Roses climbing on the walls.

Many of the plants were grown from seeds and cuttings taken from the owner’s garden and I was lucky to have such an influential, encouraging and amusing client at the beginning of my gardening career.

Twenty odd years later and the gardens are thriving, a haven for tired office workers and wildlife, only a stones throw from the bustle of Lewes High Street.