East Ruston Old Vicarage
Free RHS Member days
12 noon–5.30pm, Wednesday–Sunday, March and October
About the garden
The garden at East Ruston Old Vicarage is unique, as its position close to the North Sea shelters it from all but the most penetrating frosts. Highlights include the Exotic Garden, the Mediterranean Garden and the Desert Wash, which contains mature specimens of yuccas, puyas, dasylirions and nolinas.
The garden is home to the National Collection of Colchicums. The Diamond Jubilee Walled Garden features a myriad of plants, while in the monumental Fruit Cage you will find rare varieties of cherries and berries. The courtyard by the entrance to the Vicarage has been redesigned with formal paved paths and the addition of rare and interesting plants.
Look out for the RHS Hedychium trial taking place at East Ruston in 2025. We will compare 71 selections of Hedychium over three years, with a subset of these also tested at Floors Castle in Scotland, to assess the hardiness and flowering potential of these ginger lillies. The results will be shared on the RHS website in 2028.
Facilities
- Assistance dogs only
- Accessible garden
- Parking
- Plant sales
- Toilets
Key features
- Sub-tropical garden
- Glasshouse (open to public)
- Arboretum
- Autumn colour
- Colour themed borders
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.