Its Lilac Time

Posted:20 May 2016

You may have caught a glimpse as you drive along Brighton’s main London Road, just to the North of Preston Park a glimpse of all manner of pinks, mauves, creamy whites and deepest maroons.  It’s lilac time and Withdean Park is looking just beautiful.

 

This not a formal park with gravel paths and rectangular flower beds, but a delightful mix of open grassy areas, woodland, shrubberies and ponds.  From 1960, Withdean Park was developed as a horticultural exhibit of specific genera, especially berberis, cotoneaster, viburnum, and floribunda roses, with new varieties added as they become available.

 

The park is also famous for its collection of lilacs, the second largest in the world with over 250 types, which was designated by the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens as the National Reference Collection for the species and cultivars of the genus syringa (lilacs).   Regrettably, the Parks Department has been unable to allocate sufficient funds to maintain the collection to a suitable standard, and the National Collection status was lost in 2009.

 

But it is still the most wonderful area to roam around, taking your dog for a romp or simply sitting and enjoying