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Chris Collins (Sheffield Park)

My Favourite Garden

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Chris Collins (Sheffield Park)

Chris Collins' CV makes for impressive reading. From Head Gardener at Westminster Abbey to Kew Gardens to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, his qualifications are second to none. The gardens of Sheffield Park are where Chris's love affair with botany first began. "This is where I first discovered the power of plants and this is imprinted in my being as I approach my profession".

Sheffield Park Gardens lie in the heart of East Sussex, just a short drive from the town of Royal Tunbridge wells. Designed by Capability Brown, the layout of the park comprises four huge interconnecting lakes surrounded by open lawns and dense planting. "If you like plants, how can you not love this place... you just come down here and learn, learn, learn about your favourite subject", enthuses Chris.

At the top of the estate is the imposing Sheffield Park House which was completed in 1762 by architect James Wyatt. The landscaping was designed to reflect the beauty of this gothic mansion and to this day the finest views of the house are those framed by the magnificent gardens.

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Chris's favourite spot

Chris's favourite corner is down at the bottom of Middle Lake where two stunning Ginkgo biloba trees can be found.

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Top tips from this episode

Having derived so much pleasure from Sheffield Park, Chris pays a debt of gratitude by helping to plant a beautiful Nyssa Sylvatica. Chris recommends digging a really big hole for the new plant and quips 'a penny for the plant a pound for the hole'.