Leading cultivated plant conservation charity Plant Heritage is delighted to announce that Lullingstone Castle and its World Garden will be holding an exclusive Open Day in support of the charity’s 35th anniversary on Sunday 23rd June from 11am-5pm.
Modern day plant hunter and National Collection Holder of Eucalyptus, Tom Hart Dyke will treat visitors to a series of tours of his World Garden which includes over 8,000 different plant, many of which are rare and endangered in cultivation.
Tom with his ‘Deadly Stinger’ Visitors to the Garden can also view the world’s deadliest shrub, Dendrocnide moroides, on display in a glass cabinet. Also known as The Deadly Stinger, it is usually housed in a locked greenhouse, and is the only example to be found in the UK. Native to Queensland in Australia, the hairs on the shrub inject a lethal poison to anyone who touches the innocent looking plant.
Speaking about the day Tom said it is a fantastic opportunity to illustrate the work done by the Charity, and highlight the importance of plant conservation work within the National Plant Collection Scheme. “I’m looking forward with excited anticipation to showing visitors some of the rarest plants to be found on our horticulturally endowed shores,” he said.
Tom will be giving guided tours around his World Garden at 1.30pm and 3.30pm and a series of talks by leading horticultural experts will be compered by Jim Buttress VMH in St Botolph’s Church at 12.30pm, 2.45pm and 4.35pm.
The Manor House, which dates back to 1497 and has been in the family’s ownership for 20 generations, will be open for tours throughout the day where people will be able to view some of the ancient furnishings including a bed Queen Anne slept in during a visit to the castle.
Tom in the World garden at Lullingstone
Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase rare and unusual plants from the Plant Heritage Kent Group’s Plant Sale which will be held throughout the day and will include a number of specialist nurseries. Tom will also be selling a range of plants in the Lullingstone Nursery, some grown exclusively from World Garden Seeds. Refreshments of tea, coffee, homemade cakes and rolls will be available all day.
Tickets will be priced at £7 Adult, £6.50 Senior Citizen, £4 Child and £18 for a family ticket.
This is an event for all the family and a children’s quiz on the World Garden has been designed to enthuse and impassion young visitors about the gems held within the walls of this spectacular and unique garden.
The Day at Lullingstone Castle is the flagship of a series of 35 National Plant Collection Open Days which are being held throughout the year to celebrate Plant Heritage’s 35th anniversary and have been designed to give visitors a unique opportunity to view some of the most beautiful and rare plants in cultivation, and experience first-hand ‘living libraries’ of garden plants.