Today , you enter the magical garden , where the walls drape heavily with purple wisteria , through a heavy iron gate – just as you would have the original ( which was unfortunately bricked up during a renovation by Lutyens and Jekyll in 1910 ) – and follow the stone path round into a flower laden passageway that leads you towards the stone fountain as described in the novel . Stepping inside , you are transported into a private English Eden of erigeron karvinskianus , poppies , aubretias , lilac , brunnera , forget-me-nots , anthriscus , euphorbia , cistus , and camelia to name but a few . Tucked away benches , gently cascading water features , white and pink roses that vine the old brick , cone shaped yews , and a stunning corner of the garden where you can stand entirely encircled by purple wisteria , are just some of the stand out features that characterise this classically charming English garden .
Frances struggled with periods of depression much of her life and also lost her son to tuberculosis in 1890 , which set off another bout of depression . Her life story feels marred with sadness ; with the end of two marriages and the loss of a child . It is felt that she found peace in the gardens at Great Maytham Hall and rumour is that she never got over leaving it behind . Frances moved to Nassau County , New York , upon leaving Great Maytham Hall and died in 1924 ( she is buried in Roslyn Cemetery ). Upon the outbreak of the Second World War , the house was requisitioned by the army . As part of the " Dig for Victory " campaign , Frances Hodgson Burnett ' s beautiful roses were replaced with a vegetable patch and the manicured lawns were patriotically planted with potatoes and carrots . A jettisoned German bomb in the middle of the former lawn caused further devastation and after the war the house stood empty for many years , as Frances ’ beloved gardens were left to decline . Meanwhile , over in America , a memorial sculpture by Bessie Potter Vonnoh was erected in Frances ’ honor in Central Park ' s Conservatory Garden depicting her two famous Secret Garden characters , Mary and Dickon .
In 1965 , Great Maytham Hall was purchased and restored by the Mutual Households Association and later the Country Houses Association sold it to the current owners , Sunley Heritage in 2003 . The gardens can now be enjoyed by visitors through The National Garden Scheme ( ngs . org . uk ), although they won ’ t be open again to the public until 2022 . When they do reopen , you ’ ll be able to retrace Frances ’ steps into the real The Secret Garden .
Walking through the garden and learning the history of its profound effect on Frances , you are reminded of the power of nature and the deep impact it can have on us . Frances ’ passion for her garden led her to create something that will no doubt be treasured and enjoyed for many more years to come , for long after we are gone , our gardens can still bloom on .
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