Famed for many things from their Chillis to their Glasshouses and Arboretum, West Dean is an inspiring place. And this week Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis catch up with its inspiring Head Gardener Tom Brown. He talks us through how planting, compost and plastic use are all changing at West Dean, and brings along some of the plants they're using to be more drought tolerant. And if you're not left wanting to grow Dahlias from seed, you're stronger-willed than us!

PLANT LIST

Linaria purpurea 'Canon Went'

Echinacea purpurea 'Paradiso Yellow'

Dianthus carthusianorum

Gypsophila pacifica

Althaea officinalis 'Alba'

Ilex crenata

Sanguisorba 'Blackthorn'

Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel'

Helianthus 'Capenoch Star'

Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'

Alstroemeria 'Pandora'

Dahlia 'Karma Choc'

Dahlia 'Bishop's Children'

Episcia

Anthurium Andraeanum 'Black Love'

Capsicum annuum 'Calico'

Cephalaria gigantea

Cephalaria dipsacoides

Eryngium giganteum 'Miss Willmott's Ghost'

Camellia sasanqua

Escallonia 'Iveyi'

Escallonia bifida