The white Shiro Nodo wisteria in bloom at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex
A Timeless Spectacle: The White Wisteria AT Gravetye Manor in Bloom
As the golden days of late spring stretch towards summer, a most enchanting transformation takes place at Gravetye Manor, the four-star historic country house hotel in East Grinstead, Sussex.
In a scene reminiscent of an English pastoral painting, the white wisteria Shiro Noda that adorns the manor’s pergola at the back of the flower garden, burst into bloom in a breathtaking display of cascading clusters that can reach up to 20 inches long, offering an immersive experience under the pergola to eagerly awaiting hotel guests and garden enthusiasts alike. These ethereal floral chandeliers, release a sweet, intoxicating scent reminiscent of jasmine and honey, opening gradually from the top of each raceme downwards. As the season progresses, the green foliage deepens, creating a vibrant canopy before slowly fading and dropping away in late autumn, preparing the plant for its winter dormancy.
Native to Japan, this variety of wisteria is known not only for its striking beauty but also for its longevity, with some specimens having lived for over a century. Its twining vines, capable of growing over 30 feet long, symbolising endurance and elegance, making Shiro Noda a cherished feature in traditional and modern gardens alike. Gravetye’s Shiro Noda, was originally planted in 1900 by the estate’s former owner, renowned Victorian horticulturist William Robinson, whose pioneering work shaped the landscape of Gravetye. The pergola was restored in 2012, when more plants were also added.
This wisteria has grown into a living testament to Robinson’s devotion to pioneering naturalistic planting which is as popular as ever with gardeners today.
Hotel residents or lunch guests of Gravetye’s Michelin star restaurant, The Dining Room, that recently saw Roux Scholar Martin Carabott’s appointment as executive chef, can stroll the gardens at their own leisure enjoying a succession of mixed flowers and shrubs on display up to the first frosts. Or experience the gardens via a guided tour by a member of the gardening team, that takes place at 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from April to October.
The estate also has a celebrated elliptical kitchen garden that grows fruit and vegetables for the restaurant kitchen as well as meadows and orchards.