2026 will see the launch of our Community Growing Garden and Propagation Project – the first exciting phase of our Reinventing Borde Hill project, which aims to unlock the power of nature for the benefit of our local community.
To bring the vision to life, we are delighted to have once again collaborated with filmmaker Jack Hague and Illustrator Dan Mayers to create a short film to capture the significance of the project and its generation-defining impact.
Opening in autumn 2026 next to our Market Garden, the Community Growing Garden will be a welcoming, inclusive space where people of all ages can connect with nature. Designed around biodynamic principles, it will feature different height raised beds to enable communities of all ages and abilities to benefit from growing, apple orchards, edible hedgerows, polytunnels and outdoor cooking facilities, alongside natural timber seating and spaces for schools and community groups to gather, connect and learn.
Through a three-year programme of workshops and activities we will create opportunities for people across Sussex to build skills, make connections and experience the wellbeing benefits of time spent outdoors together.
A Sanctuary for Rare Plants
Borde Hill is home to a nationally significant collection of rare plants and trees, many of which are under threat in the wild. As climate change places increasing pressure on these species, strengthening our propagation work has never been more important.
Our notable collection was developed between 1900 and 1938 by Colonel Stephenson Robert Clarke, and includes 2,748 plant species and 1,002 tree and shrub species from around the world. Among them are seven species that are critically endangered globally, including Acer amamiense (for which Borde Hill holds the UK Champion tree), Abies numidica and Picea koyamae.
Through the Propagation Project, we will grow new generations of these rare plants, safeguard historic specimens, and share plant material with other gardens. Selected plants will also be available to purchase through our Homegrown Project, giving visitors the chance to support botanical conservation in their own green spaces, and take a piece of Borde Hill home with them.
Helping People and Plants to Grow
This project is the first phase of our wider Reinventing Borde Hill programme, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and several other generous funders. In order to make our vision a reality we still need to raise £200,000 towards the Community Growing Garden through financial gifts or donations in kind for materials. For further details about how to support the project through donations or volunteer support, please visit Reinventing Borde Hill.
Through the Community Growing Garden and the Propagation Project, we will create a natural haven where people and plants can grow in a safe and welcoming environment. We look forward to sharing more details about how this important project is progressing as the year unfolds.
