Discover the enchanting atmosphere of the Bloomsbury Group within the picturesque, country-style garden at Charleston
Charleston Farmhouse Garden: A Living Artwork and Radical Haven
In the picturesque East Sussex countryside, the Charleston Farmhouse garden continues to thrive as a testament to the artistic spirit of the Bloomsbury Group. The garden, a vibrant and eclectic oasis, serves as an extension of the house, reflecting the modernist values and close engagement with nature that defined the group[1][3].
A New Era for Charleston's Garden
The garden's current custodian is Harry Hoblyn, who took over as head gardener in spring 2020, following a year-long traineeship[2]. For Harry, gardening is not just a profession, but an art form, a creative expression that he considers himself privileged to nurture[4].
A Garden of Colour and Joy
The garden's planting style is a riot of colour and joy, a reflection of the Bloomsbury Group's artistic sensibilities[1]. Silver-leaved introductions such as Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus and Melianthus major add architectural elegance, while self-seeders like Anthriscus sylvestris, Silene dioica, and Valeriana officinalis provide dynamism[5].
Preserving Charleston's Legacy
Charleston's garden remains largely preserved as it was when Quentin Bell, Vanessa Bell's son, last lived there, maintaining its original Bloomsbury spirit and style[1]. Each of Charleston's head gardeners since the 1980 restoration has had a unique approach to gardening, contributing to the garden's evolving character[7].
A Hub for Art, Nature, and Ideas
The garden is a walled, intimate outdoor space that serves as a hub for events like the annual Festival of the Garden, which celebrates the entangled relationship between art, nature, and ideas[3]. Gardeners, artists, and thinkers gather there for talks, workshops, and performances focused on reimagining living with the land[3].
Visiting Charleston
Charleston is open Wednesday through Sunday (and Bank Holiday Mondays), from 10am to 5pm[8]. The garden's address is Firle, East Sussex BN8 6LL[9]. The garden is free to enter, and visitors can contact Charleston by phone at 01323 811626 or online at charleston.org.uk[9].
Notable Features
The climbing roses 'Paul's Lemon Pillar' and 'Mermaid' are preserved on the front facade of the garden, while the apple 'Beauty of Bath' is a significant feature of the garden view from the garden room window[6]. Charleston hosts three festivals annually: the Charleston Festival in May, July's Festival of the Garden, and September's Queer Bloomsbury[10].
As Harry Hoblyn continues to nurture the garden, he honours its legacy while navigating the challenges of a changing climate and increasing public engagement. Charleston remains a vibrant, artistic haven, embodying the Bloomsbury ethos of merging art, life, and nature in a harmonious and innovative way.
[1] Charleston Trust. (n.d.). A Brief History. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/discover/history
[2] Charleston Trust. (2020, April 1). New Head Gardener Announced. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/news/new-head-gardener-announced
[3] Charleston Trust. (n.d.). Garden. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/discover/garden
[3] Charleston Trust. (2021). Charleston Festival. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/whats-on/festival
[4] Charleston Trust. (n.d.). Meet the Team: Harry Hoblyn. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/discover/meet-the-team/harry-hoblyn
[5] Charleston Trust. (n.d.). Wildflowers. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/discover/wildflowers
[6] Charleston Trust. (n.d.). The Garden Room. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/discover/the-garden-room
[7] Charleston Trust. (n.d.). Gardeners at Charleston. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/discover/gardeners-at-charleston
[8] Charleston Trust. (n.d.). Opening Times. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/visit/opening-times
[9] Charleston Trust. (n.d.). Contact Us. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/visit/contact-us
[10] Charleston Trust. (n.d.). Queer Bloomsbury. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/whats-on/queer-bloomsbury
- The Charleston Farmhouse garden, under Harry Hoblyn's care, serves as a testament to the artsy lifestyle and nature connection of the Bloomsbury Group, showcasing a planting style that is a riot of color and joy.
- The garden's eclectic mix of plants like Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus and Melianthus major offers architectural elegance, while self-seeders such as Anthriscus sylvestris, Silene dioica, and Valeriana officinalis provide dynamism and continuity.
- Gardening at Charleston is not just a profession for Harry, it is an art form and a creative expression, as he endeavors to preserve the garden's legacy while adapting to the challenges of a changing climate and increasing public engagement.
- The Charleston garden, with its notable features like the climbing roses 'Paul's Lemon Pillar' and 'Mermaid,' is not only a stunning horticultural display, but also serves as a hub for art, nature, and ideas, connecting gardeners, artists, and thinkers in ongoing explorations of reimagining living with the land.
