Renovation of Eastbourne Carpet Gardens

Eastbourne's Carpet Gardens are being restored and renovated this year to trial a sustainable planting showcase, offering greater biodiversity and the removal of an invasive weed.

One section of the Carpet Gardens will remain planted with the traditional, imported summer bedding plants. Another section will see a new planting array, which will provide an attractive year-round display for residents, visitors and wildlife, which can also withstand the warmer and drier climate and benefit the environment.

Each section will be planted side-by-side to allow residents and tourists to compare the two styles, and feedback which style they would prefer for the Carpet Gardens future displays.

The current traditional bedding scheme has been in place for over a hundred years. While this approach has provided an attractive display every spring and summer, it has meant the plants must be changed twice a year. This is a costly and wasteful approach by modern standards and does not provide the biodiversity necessary to support wildlife.

In recent years the soil has become overrun with an invasive, non-domestic weed called Oxalis latifolia. This weed and the soil it has contaminated will be removed, without necessitating the use of harmful chemicals.

The new style of planting will Carpet Gardens will be brought up-to-date, in-line with similar gardens across the South Coast and wider UK. It will feature plants that flower in different seasons, meaning there will be something to enjoy throughout the entire year and provide a more naturalistic display. The soil level throughout the Gardens will be raised by 20-30cm. This will not only provide a specified free draining rooting medium for the new plants but also it forms part of the (non-chemical) integrated weed control programme devised to eradicate the pernicious Oxalis weed that has colonised the existing plantings.

The new plants will be better suited to the seafront conditions and will support wildlife by being pollinator-friendly providing nectar for insects and seeds for birds.

Do you like this style of planting or do you prefer the traditional style? Would you like to see more of this style of planting in parks and gardens across Eastbourne?

Tell us what you think

Timeframe for the work

Start date: Monday 12 May 2025

End date: Friday 21 June 2025

What to expect

The plants are perennials and will grow and mature over time
The plants will change visually with the seasons
The plants will last for many years
A naturalistic design
There will be year-round floral and foliage interest

Benefits of the new design

Different displays and colour throughout the year
Plants better suited to the seaside conditions
Pollinator-attracting plants
Food for wildlife
Improved soil health
Increased carbon capture
Less wastage and lower costs

About the designer

The work is being led by Sussex-based landscape and garden designer, Peter Thurman. Peter has designed gardens and landscapes across the world and has advised on environmental management widely in the UK and overseas.

During his 45-year career, Peter has trained and taught at Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. For many years he has also lectured at the Inchbald School of Design in London and the London College of Garden Design.

Peter is a fellow of the Arboricultural Association and the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, he has chartered status in trees & forestry (ICF), horticulture (CIH) and the environment (SocEnv).

Peter has lived in East Sussex for over 40 years.

Find out more about Peter's work at his website - The Thurman Consultancy

Information boards

We will be putting two sets of information boards up at the Carpet Gardens, to let residents and visitors know what is happening. These are available to download below.

About the project (PDF, 11 MB)

A Garden for all Seasons - plants used in the new design and when they will be in flower (PDF, 12 MB)

View the plans

Download the designs (PDF, 2 MB)

Frequently asked questions

What will happen to the large pots?

The large pots will be retained at the gardens and continue to be used for planting at the eastern end of the gardens. They are a popular feature with residents and visitors.

What will happen to the fountains?

The fountains were decommissioned around a decade ago for a number of reasons, including being unsustainable, costly to run and also attracting anti-social behaviour which was extremely harmful to the plants. The cost of reinstating the fountains would outstrip the entire cost of the renovation, so is not a viable option as part of this project.