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Munstead Wood Tea and Talk at Northview

Writer's picture: Cat MeholicCat Meholic

By: Kate Galer


“The lesson I have thoroughly learnt and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives.”      -Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932)

                    

On a chilly, grey Saturday in December guests arrived at the Carriage House of Northview Garden, the property of gardener, educator, historian, and author, Jenny Rose Carey. They were there at the invitation of hosts Jenny Rose Carey and her husband, Gus, to listen to a presentation about Munstead Wood, Gertrude Jekyll’s house and garden in Great Britain.  While sipping tea and eating cookies, we listened to the story of Munstead Wood and its recent acquisition by the National Trust of the United Kingdom.



Jenny Rose Carey introduced three women who have major roles in the restoration of Munstead Wood - Jennifer Ullman, Katherine Mills, and Deborah Horton Sale, the Development Manager.


From left - Jennifer Ullman, Katherine Mills, Jenny Rose Carey, Deborah Horton Sale
From left - Jennifer Ullman, Katherine Mills, Jenny Rose Carey, Deborah Horton Sale

Jennifer is a landscape and heritage professional, with a career managing and restoring some of London’s most significant historic parks, as well as serving on boards of major horticultural and conservation institutions, including the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. She started the conversation with a story of how 32 years ago she was a college kid who took the train to Godalming with a friend. They had a guide to the architecture of Surrey and a map as they rode bikes from the station around Surrey, including to Munstead Wood. Munstead Wood inspired Jennifer to further study landscape and architecture. 


Jennifer explained that at that time and until recently Munstead Wood was privately owned by a couple who understood the importance of the site and the house. They employed Annabel Watts, who has worked at Munstead Wood since 2003 and has been the head gardener since 2013.  When the property came up for sale in 2022, Jennifer, concerned about future demolition or other irreversible changes,  joined in conversations with the National Trust about the possibility of the National Trust purchasing it.  The discussions within the National Trust were thoughtful, intense,  and focused on the challenge of taking care of a historic landscape, as well as the buildings on the property.  For the past few decades the  National Trust has only acquired houses and buildings with endowments.  Taking ownership of a house and landscape that require a huge amount of time and money to restore and maintain was a risky endeavor.  In the end, the National Trust decided that the property was too important to lose and the acquisition aligned with the National Trust’s mission of making the heritage and nature of spaces accessible to all.


Find out more about the National Trust:


After Jennifer spoke, Katherine Mills, the general manager of Munstead Wood, spoke about the importance of Gertrude Jekyll in horticulture and landscape design and thus the importance of the property. Katherine echoed Jennifer’s comments about the National Trust’s concern about the risk of irreversible loss and lack of access to Munstead Wood, which was the driving factor in the National Trust’s decision to purchase the property.  Katherine emphasized the careful custodianship of the previous owners.  As the National Trust was considering purchasing Munstead Wood, Katherine eagerly took the position of general manager to assist in the confidential process of the acquisition.  


Katherine Mills, General Manager Munstead Wood
Katherine Mills, General Manager Munstead Wood

Katherine explained the important role and influence that Gertrude Jekyll has had in the world of horticulture and gardening.  Jekyll “gardened with nature”, taking into account the colors, textures, and sensory experience of being in the garden.  She planted more perennials and less annuals than  garden designers at the time, an influence that persists in garden design today.  After Jekyll had designed and planted the garden at Munstead Wood, the only garden she designed for herself,  she went on to design over four hundred gardens in her lifetime.  She wrote her first book Wood and Garden in 1899 at the age of fifty-six and subsequently wrote numerous books and articles.  In her last year of life, she wrote thirty-one articles.


Gertrude Jekyll corresponded with fellow gardeners and welcomed them to her home and garden.  Louisa King, a leader in the garden club movement, visited.  Graham Stuart Thomas, visited and considered it a turning point in his career as he went from plantsman to artist under Jekyll’s painterly ways of design. 



After Katherine detailed Jekyll’s influence in horticulture and the importance of Munstead Wood, she discussed what is happening at Munstead Wood currently and hopeful plans for the future under the umbrella of the National Trust.  The National Trust is the holder of the largest plant collection in Europe and the gardens at Munstead wood are now a part of that collection.  Find out more about the gardens and parks of the National Trust here https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gardens-parks


Munstead Wood is currently closed to the public as restoration starts on both the house and garden.  The development of a master plan is starting in January 2025. The house restoration has multiple challenges, including lead pipes, old electric, a roof in disrepair, and no access for visitors.  There is no clear access road to the property.  The garden has had some more modern additions, including an inground swimming pool.  All of the layers of restoration take a lot of time and money and fundraising is one of the major endeavors  at Munstead Wood right now.  Beyond the restoration and fundraising, as well as an intricate aspect of it, Katherine and the gardeners and employees at Munstead Wood are engaging in conversations with multiple stakeholders and organizations, including the Royal Horticultural Society and local groups in Surrey.  The goal is to build connections and envision how to maximize the impact of the eleven acres of property and house.  



Books by Gertrude Jekyll
Books by Gertrude Jekyll


Those impacts include being a forerunner of sustainability and source of inspiration for the twenty-eight million gardeners in the UK.  Munstead Wood will serve as a resource where people can develop the skills to grow and garden, and cultivate talent as a center for horticulture excellence and professional development.  This will include horticultural residencies and apprenticeships on multiple levels. Munstead Wood will work with local youth to further their social and emotional mental health while engaging them in the restoration effort and developing their skills. 


Digitally, there will be podcasts, articles, and videos.   For now, Katherine explained as she wrapped up  her discussion of the journey of Munstead Wood thus far, it all starts with the development of the master plan and funds, 


After the discussion there was a question-and-answer period. The following paraphrases both questions and answers.


Q - What is the state of the garden currently?

A - The formal gardens are partially restored.  The goal is to remove the swimming pool and reestablish that area that was historically witch hazels and hellebores.  The Woodland Garden has historically been a rhododendron garden and still has 230 deciduous azaleas that Jekyll planted. There is a process of identifying historic plants and doing micropropagation.  The National Trust has a Plant Conservation Centre where plants can be protected if the original is lost.


Q- Did Jekyll leave photos or drawings?

A - Jekyll was an early adopter of photography.  Some of the summer border is well documented in her books.  For the Woodland Garden there exists a description and plant list, but no plan.


Q - Will they use modern cultivars of plants that Jekyll used?

A- In considering climate change and increased shade there will be different cultivars of plants used.  Jekyll’s designs were more about the aesthetic - for example, silver leaved plants - rather than the actual plant so the idea is to create Jekyll’s aesthetic with modern conditions in mind.


Q - What is the vision for education?

A - We plan to work in partnership with the National Trust to develop a horticulture leadership program.  We have met and talked to the people at Longwood Gardens and asked about the intern program there, as there is nothing like it in the UK.


Q- What is the next project?

A - Currently we are working on a conservation management plan and the master plan will be developed this year. Until then , we can’t do much.  


Q - How many people work at Munstead Wood?

A - There is a small site team.  Myself [Katherine], the head gardener Annabel and two other gardeners, a site manager, and a part time project team.  There is consulting within the National Trust from a landscape architect and conservation architect.


Jenny Rose Carey addressing the audience
Jenny Rose Carey addressing the audience

The afternoon concluded with a warm thank you from Jenny Rose Carey and a discussion of ways that the local horticultural community can be involved with the important project of the restoration of Munstead Wood.  Learn more, spread the word, donate, connect others who can help to the fascinating story and space of Munstead Wood.



Find out more about Munstead Wood, including how to donate:


Read Jenny Rose Carey’s blog post about Munstead Wood:


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