Benton End

Yesterday I was invited to the much-anticipated opening of the walled garden at Benton End in Suffolk.  This is the former home of the plantsman and artist Sir Cedric Morris (1889 – 1982) and his lifelong partner, artist Arthur Lett-Haines (1894 – 1978).  It was at Benton End that Morris and Lett-Haines established the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing, which was one of the most radical art schools of the time.

Although Morris was an artist, he really made his name as a gardener and plantsman, the garden was planted in a naturalistic style, filled with plants that Morris collected from his travels.  One of his favourite plants was the bearded iris, he bred over 90 cultivars, most of which have the prefix ‘Benton’ followed by the name of his friends such as Iris ‘Benton Nigel’ or I. ‘Benton Diedre’. 

For the past three years Head Gardener James Horner has been lovingly re-establishing the walled garden at Benton End with help from award-winning garden designer, Sarah Price.  It was at Chelsea Flower Show in 2023 that Sarah designed the most stunning garden, filled with Morris’ Benton Irises, it was a huge hit with the public and really drew attention to these beautiful flowers.  In fact, the paving, pots and plants from the show garden, now form part of the walled garden.

In 2021 Benton End was majority gifted to the Garden Museum by the Pinchbeck Charitable Trust.  A grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund helped to fund the first phase of development, future funding will be applied for from NLHF along with an active fund-raising campaign that has been launched to reach the amount required to restore the house and grounds.  Nearly all the garden open dates for this summer have already sold out, so check the website for details and don’t miss the chance to visit this truly magical garden. 

To find out more please visit - www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/benton-end