The World Garden At Lullingstone Castle
By AndrewR
12 comments
GOY members in the UK may remember a series on the TV about five yeas ago on the creation of this garden. Tom Hart Dyke, the wayward, plant enthusiast son of the family, conceived the idea of a World Garden of Plants while being held captive by rebels who planned to ransom him while in South America on a plant-hunting trip. He finally persuaded them he was not a rich American – in fact the family were almost on the point of going broke and Tom’s project was the last attempt to make enough money to repair the ancestral home that had been in the family for generations and secure their future there.
At the weekend, a small group from our local Horticultural Association visited the garden. You approach the house from the rear as the car park is tucked away in woodland From right to left, the house, the private church, The Cloud House just showing over the garden wall and the top of the Gatehouse just to the left of the tree.
Once inside the walled garden, there are beds each representing each continent with plants from the area growing there. Sometimes it is hard to believe you are still in Kent.
Around the walls are the “Man’s Influence” borders, containing plants that have been bred for flower power or food value.
Even alpines are on display
The Cloud House contains plants that come from temperate parts of the world that will not tolerate winter temperatures of -15C seen outside in the garden.
We visited during a “Plant Hunter Weekend” when Tom and some of his friends dressed up as famous plant hunters and told us their stories and showed us some of the plants they introduced. Here is the irrepressible Tom Hart Dyke as David Douglas who introduced many conifers from North America.
This is a good garden to visit if you are in the area. Children will love the “Plant Hunter” weekends as a couple of the ‘explorers’ jump out from the undergrowth where they have been looking for new plants! And Tom can keep you entertained for hours with his stories and plant knowledge. There’s even a small sales area for souvenirs from your visit.
2 Aug, 2011
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Comments
It look's a good place to visit thank's for sharing your day out,I like picture six :-)
2 Aug, 2011
Looks great, i saw an old Gardeners World programme the other week it was featured on and remember writing it down as it looked so good.
2 Aug, 2011
great blog Andrew, looks a super garden and a very worthwhile visit im sure..some lovely pictures
excellent share..thank you
2 Aug, 2011
I remember the TV programme ... hasn't he worked wonders with the gardens? Looks a wonderful place to visit ... another on the list of 'Places to visit' ... many thanks Andrew ... :o)
2 Aug, 2011
He is an amazing young man, his Grannie who lived to a good age, was a huge influence on his life and his gardening. The Japanese film crew covered his story when they were filming for the NGS, we were given a copy of the film, which is very moving,and one day would like to visit the gardens, thanks for photos and blog.
2 Aug, 2011
DD - his grandmother died last year, just before her 96th birthday. She used to look after the borders outside the walled garden (which now contains The World Garden). They are looking a bit overgrown now and there are plans to renovate them for next year
3 Aug, 2011
Great blog. I remember the series very well. I really didn't think he could get this going - he came over as a very sweet guy, but it all seemed like a pipe dream. I am thrilled that my first impression was wrong and that he is doing so well with this project. He is really inspirational (and still seems like a sweet person).
3 Aug, 2011
Thanks, Andrew - it's too far to go to visit, but it looks like a very interesting and lovely garden.
3 Aug, 2011
Barbara - maybe a short holiday next year then taking in Sissinghurst, Merriments, Great Dixter and Lullingstone Castle?
3 Aug, 2011
I marked this Andrew, meaning to come back to it and then forgot.
Its an amazing garden and I did see a programme on TV about it.
He's quite a character isnt he, Tom..with quite a history of travels himself! I reckon his gift of the gab earned him his freedom when in S.America lol!!
13 Sep, 2011
There is a book written by Tom and Paul Winder (his travelling companion) called 'The Cloud Garden' that tells the whole story - how they met, how they got captured, the whole time they were being held and how they were finally released (and there's a twist near the end as well). Highly recommended reading
13 Sep, 2011
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thanks andrew it looks fascinating.
2 Aug, 2011