On Friday, 19th November, the Royal Horticultural Society announced that Denmans Garden, an RHS Partner Garden, has been named the regional winner for the South East and Channel Islands in the RHS Partner Garden of the Year competition.  The inaugural competition invited RHS members to vote for their favourite ‘Feel Good’ garden in 2021, in recognition of the health and well-being benefits that result from visiting gardens.  Six gardens were chosen as regional winners and Larch Cottage Nurseries was voted the overall winner. 

 

‘There are many amazing and beautiful RHS Partner Gardens, so it is a great honour to be chosen as the RHS Partner Garden of the Year in the South and Channel Islands region this year’, said Gwendolyn van Paasschen, chairman of the John Brookes-Denmans Foundation.  ‘We would like to thank all the wonderful RHS visitors who voted for Denmans for taking the time to cast their ballot — We love our RHS visitors and look forward to Thursdays when they members are admitted free.’

 

This is the second award Denmans Garden has received this year, having won Gold in the South and South East in Bloom competition in August.  The garden, one home to renowned landscape designer and author, John Brookes MBE, and whose gravel gardens were created by horticulturalist and author, Joyce Robinson in the 1970s, has been under restoration for the past four years.

Voters found the Grade II listed garden’s design and unusual planting especially inspirational and enjoyed its relaxed atmosphere and gravel gardens.  Visiting Denmans, with its beautiful grounds and sense of tranquillity is a great way to lift your spirits and leave you feeling good.  Sitting on a bench in the heart of the garden, listening to the birds, and feasting the eyes on the rich plantings consistently has a soothing effect on our many visitors. Given our ongoing commitment to preserve the sense of serenity and beauty that Mrs. Robinson and John Brookes so loved about their garden, Denmans retains a peacefulness and sense of seclusion.  It is a magical and enduring space that has the best of both horticulture and design.

 

Denmans is as beautiful in winter as it is in summer.  From January until March 2022 the garden will be open for free on Saturdays as well as Thursdays for RHS members.  The garden and its gift shop, self-service treat shop, and plant centre featuring unusual plants grown on site, is open year round.