Garden views

Troy Scott Smith, National Trust head gardener at Sissinghurst in Kent, shares the delights of mid-winter and his team's solstice tradition

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“Sissinghurst is famous as the epitome of the English Garden. Founded in 1930, it's a result of the exuberant planting style of poet and writer Vita Sackville-West, combined with the more formal eye of her husband, diplomat and diarist Harold Nicolson.

I'm from the Yorkshire Dales and first came to Sissinghurst as a visitor nearly 40 years ago. Captivated by its romantic beauty, it wasn’t long before I sought work here as a gardener. After periods at The Courts and Bodnant, I returned as head gardener here 12 years ago, immersing myself in the worlds of Harold and Vita. With my team of eight, we garden in a way that puts beauty and romance first.