Mid Summer Border

Discover herbaceous plants, burnished gold and green grasses and a carpet of miniature daffodils

Mid Summer Border

The Mid Summer Border is a teardrop-shaped bed of fiery-coloured perennials, grasses and shrubs, located in the south-eastern corner of the South Lawn. In 2012, former garden adviser to the National Trust and a holder of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour, Dr Tony Lord, curated a mixture of herbaceous plants and Gold Standard Roses in shades of orange, red and yellow which are further complemented by burnished gold and green grasses.

Our visitors often linger on the benches and paths around the South Lawn because this wide expanse of grass, bordered by rhododendrons, camellias and other rare trees and shrubs, represents so much of what Borde Hill has to offer.

Mid Summer Border at Borde Hill. Image: Brighton Pictures

Dig a little deeper

The 1870 sale catalogue shows a croquet lawn with the branches of a fine old oak just visible to one side. This centuries-old oak has been retained along with an equally ancient oak on the far side, both of which still tower above the lawn.

In 1898 the ground was levelled and laid with grass so the newly created South Lawn would appear to run seamlessly out into the Parkland and wooded hills.

These days you will find pink, purple and red rhododendrons planted by Robert Stephenson Clarke in the 1970s and ’80s, mixed with evergreen Kurume azaleas. These flourish alongside richly flamboyant rhododendrons planted by Andrewjohn and Eleni Stephenson Clarke.

In the spring the ground beneath the oak trees is carpeted with hundreds of miniature daffodils, Narcissus ‘Hawera’, Tulipa sylvestris and blue muscari while in the autumn pink and white ivy-leaved cyclamens (Cyclamen hederifolium) appear.

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Plants of Interest

Calamagrostis brachytricha
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’
Crocosmia
Hemerocallis
Cotinus ‘Grace’
‘Royal ‘Purple’
Euonymus europaeus ‘Red Cascade’
Acer palmatum
‘Osakazuki’
Callicarpa japonica

Mid Summer Border at Borde Hill. Image: Clive Nicholls

Herbaceous plants in the Mid Summer Border at Borde Hill.

Mid Summer Border at Borde Hill. Image: John Glover

Midsummer Border at Borde Hill in Sussex

Did you

Know?

Borde Hill is home to Emmenopterys henryi, a rare deciduous Chinese tree collected by notable Plant Hunter George Forrest. Planted on the Azalea Ring in 1928, our tree is one of the few original specimens in the UK to flower, the first time being in 2011, inspiring the new Borde Hill logo.

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A child on the zip wire in the Advenure Playground at Borde Hill.

Children in the Italian Garden. Image: Emli Bendixen

For Families

The ideal place for children to explore, learn and find joy in nature

Plan a fun-filled day for you and your family in the great outdoors, come rain or shine. Enjoy the perfect balance of fresh air and big open spaces to roam in, then refuel at the Gardeners’ Retreat Cafe, enjoy a picnic in the Garden or by the lakes or treat yourself to a delicious ice cream from the Gift Shop.

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Membership

Connect to the beauty of nature while supporting our Garden for future generations by becoming a Member.

Members enjoy unlimited access to the Garden, Woodland and Playground throughout the open season, as well as free entry to highlights from our varied events programme. Visit time and again and enjoy free family trails during the school holidays, exclusive open days and monthly Garden newsletters.

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Discover the Possibilities

A family next to the water feature in the Rose Garden at Borde Hill during summer.

Become a Member

Membership is your ticket to enjoy unlimited access to the Garden, Parkland and Woodland throughout the open season. Our members also receive free entry to a number of exciting events, from live music in the Garden to Specialist Plant Fairs and much more. Family Membership provides unlimited access to the Adventure Playground and free school holiday trails.

Italian Garden at Borde Hill. Image: Molly Hollman

Our Garden & Grounds

Set within 383 acres of heritage listed Parkland, our formal Garden captivates and delights visitors with a series of intimate 'Garden rooms'. Beyond the formal Garden you can explore Woodland walks, the South Park and our lakes with outstanding views across the Sussex High Weald.

A misty atmospheric view of trees in North Park at Borde Hill with cows in the distance.

Support Us

As a small, independent Garden Charity, we rely on your kind generosity to help fund our projects and to continue to grow sustainably, protecting our natural heritage for generations to come. 'Reinventing Borde Hill' is our most ambitious project to date and your support will help us to achieve exciting plans to benefit our local community.

It would make a huge difference if you would consider supporting us by making a donation – thank you.