19-06-2025
Grade II* listed estate's rose garden in bloom weeks early due to weather
An estate's rose garden has burst into bloom two weeks early.
Jay Robin's rose garden at Borde Hill in Haywards Heath is a riot of colour due to warm weather encouraging its early appearance.
The garden, designed by Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) gold medal winner Robin Williams in 1996 and named after Andrewjohn and Eleni Stephenson Clarke's daughter, contains 750 David Austin rose plants of 100 varieties.
Williams' design ensures that the Elizabethan chimneys of Borde Hill House are immediately noticeable as visitors walk into the garden, making a spectacular backdrop to the vibrant planting.
Jay Robin's rose garden (Image: Borde Hill) It is a colour wheel of white, yellow, pink, orange, and red roses, nestled between small trees and framed on two sides by topiary and 100-year-old yew hedges.
At the heart of the garden is a fountain statue of Aphrodite, installed in August 2020 and sculpted by artist Brendon Murless.
READ MORE: Grade II* listed garden to reopen for 2025 season
The life-size copper figure is studded with roses and holds a bouquet from which the water bursts.
Roses at Borde Hill (Image: Borde Hill) Roses in Bloom is running from June 9 until June 20, when visitors can access hints and tips on how to grow their own roses at home.
The event is included in general garden admission tickets.
Individual RHS Members who visit during the Roses in Bloom weeks receive 20 per cent off the standard admission price.
