Study Days at Great Dixter Gardens

We are very lucky to be near to Great Dixter, the home of the late Christopher Lloyd, where he cultivated some of the most daring and beautiful gardens in the country.

Their Head Gardener, Fergus Garrett, continues Christopher's work, and in between tending to the grounds, he hosts some extremely popular study days for keen gardeners: they are accessible, informal practical, to help you get real results with your garden. We have teamed up with Great Dixter for a Gardening Study Break, which offer guests of The George in Rye a special accommodation rate when you attend one of their events.

Here are some upcoming events:

Exotic Gardening
Monday 1st September 2008, 10.00am-4.30pm
Get an insight into Great Dixter's Tropical Garden. From design to the act of planting, Fergus Garrett will take you through the process step-by step. The day will include slides and talks in The Great Hall and practical sessions in the Exotic Garden.

Choosing and Using Good Plants
Saturday 1st November 2008, 10.00am-4.30pm
With a mind boggling choice of plants, how do you choose superior ones? Which ones give you better flowers, foliage, have a longer season? With his insight into the Award of Garden Merit procedure, Fergus Garrett explains this critical process of separating the good from the bad and mediocre.

Preparing Your Border for Spring and Summer - The Practicalities
Monday 3rd November 2008, 10.00am-4.30pm
Head Gardener Fergus Garrett will show you how to cut down, split and replant perennials, thin out self-sowers, pruning, composts and working in the rain without ruining the structure of your soil. Essential winter maintenance work will be covered on this very practical orientated day.

The Garden Study Break is priced at the following rates:
- for Monday events: dinner, bed and breakfast rate of £150 per room for a Standard room (based on two sharing), £175 for a Deluxe Room and £200 for a Junior Suite; a discount of £25 per room for single occupancy
- the cost of the Saturday event is priced at our normal rates avaliable from reservations by telephoning 01797 222114.

The courses at Great Dixter are £100 per person, bookable and payable direct to Great Dixter - please call on 01797 252878 or see their website for more details. This price includes refreshments, lunch, and 10% off plants in the nursery on the day.