March – My Nature Notes at the Priest House

Tree with Blossoms March

I was in a bit of a quandary on what to do for my March nature notes until I stopped to take pictures of a blossoming tree in the historic hilltop village of West Hoathly in the Sussex countryside. I then remembered that The Priest House had opened this month again after the winter.  I had noticed the flowering tree last weekend because the Cat Inn, a rather fabulous country pub, is right in between the canopy of blossoms and The Priest House. Blossoms on tree in Spring

The Priest House is a 15th century Wealden hall house. It was originally built for the Priory of St Pancras in Lewes but then seized by Henry VIII in 1538 and given to Thomas Cromwell.  Anne of Cleves received it as part of her settlement and then it was subsequently owned by Mary I and then Elizabeth I. In 1908 the house was turned into a museum.

There is nothing medieval about the garden as it was laid out as a traditional English cottage garden when it opened to the public in the beginning of the 20th century. Its design was strongly influenced by William Robinson, the father of the natural English garden style.

The Priest House in West Hoathly

After an uninspiring search for spring wild flowers earlier this week wandering around the Ardingly Reservoir, this was a perfect spot to see what plants were appearing at this time of year.

Flower bed The Priest House

Low box hedges divide up the garden although the herb garden was closed off due to box blight. The garden is actually planted with over 170 different herbs. Although I did snoop around in other parts of the garden, my focus in this post is on the front beds and lawn. It also gives me the excuse to revisit soon and take even more photos.

Hedge in The Priest House GardenFlower beds Priest House early spring

You could almost feel the garden dizzily shaking with glee after the morning’s downpour. This nature’s garden was drunk on March showers.

Daffodils covered in raindrops

Daffodils

Raindrops on flowers

Hellebore
Rain drops on Iris

Winter Iris

Preparations were underway in different nooks and corners for the upcoming Easter holidays when visitors will start streaming in to visit the museum furnished with 17th and 18th century furniture and household artifacts. They only ask for £1 in the honesty box if you’re just visiting the garden- a rather good deal needless to say.

Front of The Priest House Sussex

Pots lined up in gardenPlease ring doorbell at Priest HouseHorse shoe near door at The Priest House

Hellebores in flower bedA last stand by some hellebores.

Bishops Hat flowers - Epimedium

Next to a path in front of The Priest House some bishop’s hats (above) had escaped from China. They’re also known as ‘fairy wings.’ Whether in the shade or out in the sunlight, different early spring flowers peeked out and stared at me.

Primrose in shade

Primroses cuddled amid plants in a side border.Early spring flowers

Pulmonaria

Soon these early spring flowers will be replaced by April blooms.

March English Country Garden Priest House Sussex

For other March nature notes, you can see my mishmash of March flowers or the first sight of a rose bud or lots of pink airy fairy or even watch a tree bud grow.

But, after a hectic morning, there was something awfully soothing about this little oasis after the rain. Soon this English cottage garden will be transformed as it fills up with spring flowers and these early blossomers will disappear until early next year.

6 thoughts on “March – My Nature Notes at the Priest House”

  1. Love love love love LOVVVVVVVVEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

    Oh my the blossom, the raindrops on the blue iris, that ‘please ring’ sign. Heaven! All that loveliness and a pub close by? Perfect!

    Simply stunning shots Kriss – you make me want to move over your way.

    Thanks for joining in again lovely x

  2. Oh Man. This post is lushness. The blossom shot just totally emerges the viewer. And the rain makes everything so rich. I would love to explore there. It sounds like an interesting history. Beautiful.

  3. That blossom is absolutely gorgeous! We don’t have a great deal around here yet unfortunately. Nice to see a Pulmonaria in there, they are one of my favourite Spring plants at the moment 🙂

  4. Such beautiful photos Kriss – and so much blossom, it’s lovely to see isn’t it? Although it’s been so windy here today I’ll be surprised if there’s too much left 🙁 #hdygg

Leave a Reply to Mammasaurus Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top