The garden includes many plants introduced to western horticulture by the Messel family and their head gardeners, all grown in giant planters and pots.
These include:
Camellia ‘Leonard Messel’
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymansay’
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymans Silver’ (discovered by Alistair Buchanan, who did much to restore Nymans, his family seat, after the Great Storm of 1987)
Forsythia suspensa ‘Nymans’
Lonicera etrusca ‘Michael Rosse’
Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’
Rhododendron decorum ‘Mrs Messel’
Skimmia japonica ‘Nymans’
The Trust’s National Curator of Living Collections, Alison Crook, said: “Nymans contains one of the most significant and eclectic living collections within the National Trust, showcasing a huge range of beautiful and unusual plants from all around the world – this is a lovely opportunity to see some of them in a smaller space, giving visitors an opportunity to enjoy them close-up.”
Horticultural botanist Joanne Ryan added: “Nymans and its creators were at the heart of important times in horticultural and plant introduction and collection history. Both the Messels and Combers should be thought of alongside other great horticultural influences of the period.
“The relationship at Nymans between the garden owners and their head gardeners and how they selected plants, cultivated and developed the garden gives us a living legacy to enjoy and learn from with every visit. Rare, unusual and outstanding plants abound, many from wild source, and many selections are still stalwarts of gardens today.”
The cool, calm garden also features a number of ferns, which were selected by members of local dementia support groups: Dicksonia antarctica (soft tree fern), Matteuccia struthiopteris (shuttlecock fern) and Osmunda regalis (royal fern), which is descended from original specimens planted next to the pond in the Arboretum.
For the design, Nick Delves took his cue from acclaimed 20th-century British costume and stage set designer Oliver Messel, whose grandfather Ludwig began the gardens at Nymans.
He continued: “During research at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Glyndebourne and the University of Bristol Theatre Collection, I found that Oliver used gardens and landscapes extensively in his sets, such as statuary, topiary and viewpoints.
“As well as celebrating the unique plant collection found at Nymans, I wanted to reflect the importance of Oliver Messel’s theatre design work and creative flair.”
Decorative weathered steel screens divide up the space, echoing the ‘flats’ Messel would have used in his theatre scenery. Their rusty colours complement the reds and browns of the surrounding brickwork. The screens include laser-cut patterns that reference the family, their garden and the Great Hall itself, including the Messel family crest, a cedar of Lebanon, and the hall’s medieval-style windows.
Three water features reflect the fountains in the Wall and Rose Gardens, while giant oak planters are based on originals which once stood in front of the house in the 1920s.
As the garden evolves, the Nymans team hope to add further features including topiary and sculpture to reflect more of the wider garden.
For one hour at the start of each day, the garden will be designated a ‘quiet space’ where people are encouraged to pause, relax and enjoy the views of the garden and across the Sussex Weald.
