This easy circular ramble begins outside St Andrew’s, Nuthurst’s pretty church then gently meanders past the old nursery site of the specialists ‘Architectural Plants’. Although the plant nursery has now moved to near the well renowned Horticultural & Agricultural Brinsbury College, near Pulborough, their ethos of quality, interest and form is still very evident.
You will pass exotic trees, then ancient forests, and you will be back to the car before you know it. Perhaps ready for a trip to the wonderful and totally inspiring Sussex Prarie Gardens, nearby, on your return journey. (Check opening times before visiting – early to late summer only; but so well worth waiting for!)
Although fairly narrow, the lane outside the church provides useful parking opportunities.
The walk itself is mainly flat, with only a couple of styles.
You pass the somewhat sad looking disused nursery site, still boasting vast greenhouses which are much more solidly made and beautifully designed than expected for a working nursery. And then an interesting wooden lodge, which looks as though it’s design was rooted in Oriental Culture… Perhaps it was, given the number and range of exotic bamboos & magnificent eucalyptus trees around the site, and around the area.
“Architectural Plants”, whose stamp here is still very much alive here, is one of the UK’s leading specialist plant retailers. Their owner and manager, as the name indicates, is particularly interested in sculptural, exotic, and unusually tropical plants. The 32 acre retail & wholesale site in Pulborough is well worth a visit; to shop (bring a lorry to take your purchases home!), participate in a course, event – or just to browse and be amazed! See link here.
A stunning sight – Eucalyptus lined driveway – trunks proudly showing their amazing technicolours. Colours always seem to be more vibrant after (or during!) the rain… welcome after the droughts of the summer.
Eucalyptus are unusual trees in that they shed their bark each year. Along with the bark, they shed any mosses, lichens, parasites and fungi that were living on the bark; keeping the tree healthy. As they do, wonderful patterns and colours are exposed.
Eucalyptus varieties with smooth bark shed by allowing it to curl off the trunk – hanging in a way that is reminiscent to the way our Soay sheep gently moult… their fleece gradually twists and curls into long dreadlock tassels! For Eucalyptus trees in summer, their habit of gently shedding bark can be a fire risk – the hanging shafts of bark drying like tinder; quickly consumed by a raging forest fire, dangerously leading the flames to consume the canopy in no time.
For full details of this route, follow this Link to Komoot.
The route can be downloaded and printed, or followed live as you walk from the free app.
“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a minor reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and one another”
– Chris Maser
The Oaks 
Beautiful! Good to see you posting again- the ‘business’ of summer settled down a bit? Though I’m sure you’re always busy. I love our eucalypts, but as you say they are notorious fire hazards and many have been removed here, for that reason. Happy to see them in all their glory.
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Thank you so much Jo – wonderful that you have the beautiful sight and smell of Eucalyptus at home!
Yes it’s been a busy summer; and yes, it is Always busy! But priorities for the last few weeks were with guests, campers, the vegetable and fruit plots, sheep and the garden itself – so Instagram took over from posting for a while! Thanks for the welcome back 🙂 Ex
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I don’t have you on Instagram. The Oaks? 🤗💕
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It’s https://www.instagram.com/emmawestsussex/
see you there! x
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Got you!
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👍🌸
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A lovely walk with excellent photographs of churchyard and eucalyptus. I followed the architectural plants link seeking a snake bark maple to replace one that died soon after we came here. It was helpful
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Fantastic Derrick, Thank you! Your garden is such a treasure trove – it doesn’t surprise me that you had one of those amazing trees! 🙂
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🤗💕
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A lovely walk around with a knowledgeable guide. Thanks for taking me along Emma.
Snow Gums have the most amazing colours don’t they 😀
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Thanks for coming, Bushboy! And you bring something new to the party as ever – I’ve never heard them called that before, but now after a quick Google, I understand why! Thank you. E:-)
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Glad to be able to spread a bit of knowledge about my wonderful country.
Brian
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A wonderful country indeed, Brian – with the most exotically fantastic flora and fauna.
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What a charming and unusual walk. I’ve only seen eucalyptus in quantity in Portugal, and found them somewhat oppressive. It looks as though they don’t dominate here so hold their own without being overpowering.
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Thank you Margaret – yes, you’re right, they are just pretty oddities in the Sussex Setting!
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At the beginning of Fall, I like to gather long stems of dried eucalyptus from the plant shop for decor and for freshening the house interior. Some have brown leaves, some still green, all dried on the stem.
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That is SO interesting – it does have a wonderfully refreshing small; good idea!
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That sounds an interesting idea.
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Thank you Margaret!
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I can imagine the powerful aroma/fragrance of eucalyptus released into the air as the bark piece peel themselves off. Does anyone collect them, those pieces?
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I don’t think so – but I’m sure they add to the nutrient value of the ground underneath!
Thanks for coming along on this little ramble 🙂
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You’re welcome! I enjoyed the stroll. ~ Jo
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And lovely to have your company, Jo! x
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