HOME + GARDEN
SUE HARRIS
MEET THE GARDENER
HEAD GARDENER AT QUEX HOUSE & GARDENS
You’ ve been looking after Quex Gardens for over 10 years. What defines their character today and how much of the original design remains? The character of the garden has been developed over centuries as a protected environment for growing. Firstly, by the larger shelterbelt planting, adding walls and then glasshouses, conditions have been created so that mature specimen trees and tender plants can thrive, despite the damaging coastal wind. The historic structures, especially the glasshouses, are the backbone of a design which has existed for nearly 200 years. The planting and people have changed, but the big trees, walls and glass are still central to the garden today.
What changes are you most proud of, and what historic elements have you worked hardest to protect and restore? The biggest change during my time here has been the people who care for the garden. It’ s been rewarding to see so many different people from the community engage in the work here, taking pride in maintaining and sharing in the joy of the garden and all it has to offer. My greatest challenge has been restoring the historic buildings and structures so they can be used and enjoyed.
The Victorian walled garden and the historic glasshouses are such focal points. What makes them so special? The walled garden is an amazing growing space; its microclimate is massively enhanced by the glasshouses. The Victorian design and variety of structures allow us to support a fantastic number of plants. I love the aesthetic too- the old teak frames of the buildings and the pretty colours of our yellow stock bricks all have a quiet beauty.
What are you producing there today, and how does that connect to its history? A century ago, the walled garden was a market garden that would have grown the finest fruit and vegetables, including some exotic or out-of-season crops. Although the old glasshouses are no longer heated, we still use the glasshouses as they were intended, moving plants around seasonally. It always feels like summer is coming when the tomatoes go into the Victorian vine houses- I like to connect to the past by growing heritage varieties. The produce also extends beyond the garden itself, with seasonal harvests supplied to local partners such as Angela’ s of Margate, who in turn support us by catering for events held in the gardens.
There’ s a strong sensory quality to the gardens- is that something you consciously design for, or something that’ s evolved organically? Unlocking the garden as a sensory space is something I am keen to promote and allow others to discover. Many of the sensory aspects are already there, but I enjoy guiding others to find them. There is a universal appeal in taste tests between different fruit and vegetable varieties, and I love seeing people’ s reactions to how something might smell or taste. This can be especially meaningful for some of our volunteers who may not have use of all their senses. Listening to the sounds of the garden is important too; often, the sensory moments are found by just taking the time to look for them. It’ s these ideas that shape our Wellbeing Days in the gardens, from taste and smell tests to creative workshops and mindful activities that help people reconnect with nature and with each other.
You work closely with volunteers and community groups- how does that shape the way the gardens are maintained and developed day to day? The volunteers and community groups allow us to progress the garden far beyond what our staff can do alone. Some jobs require lots of people and many garden tasks are accessible to everyone. Leaf clearing in autumn is a good example- with enough people, most of the work can be done without machinery, which is much more environmentally friendly and better for the garden
As the Powell-Cotton Trust marks its centenary, where do the gardens sit within that story? Today’ s visitors enjoy the same privilege as the family and guests of Quex House did a century ago, though we use the garden to meet today’ s needs. People still want beautiful outdoor spaces for leisure and the lawns, trees, pond, woodland walk and walled garden have all been kept as places to visit and explore. The garden still serves an important horticultural purpose and has many stories to share.
What do you think makes Quex Gardens unique, and why do places like this matter today? Quex Garden is special in Thanet because it’ s the only large historic garden open to the public here. It’ s a landmark that offers space, calm and a sense of place, which is more important than ever in today’ s busy world.
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