Interview: Tom Hart Dyke of Lullingstone World Garden

Lullingstone in Kent is home to the UK’s first World Garden, containing plants from around the globe, planted together in their respective countries of origin in a map inspired layout. It is the brain child of plant hunter Tom Hart Dyke who lived through a terrifying experience, and was inspired as a result to create something beautiful.

What was the inspiration for The World Garden?

June 16th 2000 when in captivity a teenage Colombian Guerrilla came over to me and threatened me with death!!! His AK-47 Gun inspired me to scribble plans for an embryonic World Garden in my diary.

Have you always had green fingers?

Since the age of three when my inspirational gardening Granny gave me a packet of carrot seeds and a trowel – I’ve never looked back!

What makes The World Garden special?

We have some 8,000 different taxa in the World Garden and what I’ve created showcases an eclectic biodiverse range of plants some of which have yet to be seen growing in the UK. Whilst also proving that plant hunting still continues to this day!

Who are your horticultural design idols/ inspiration?

My Dear Late Granny was my gardening inspiration as is Roy Lancaster – a legendary modern day plant hunter.

Do you have any personal favourites from The World Garden plants?

I love Puya raimondii (“The Queen of the Andes” – also the world’s tallest flower spike – originally from a collection I made in Bolivia; Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ – with it deliciously fragrant oily foliage and dazzling bi-coloured flowers OH and how can I forget the world’s smallest Gum Tree – Eucalyptus vernicosa – “The Varnished Gum” – originally collected by me in 1999 in SW Tasmania. All such fabulous characters!

How do you go about choosing a new addition to The World Garden?

Something that personally tickles my fancy, sometimes a well-known plant, furthermore a plant that is a floral emblem of a country/state/region etc. is important – such as the Californian Poppy.

What are your top tips for anyone wanting to start adding exotic plants to their gardens?

Just go for it, the world is your exotic oyster! Whatever conditions you have and size of your growing space – you’ll always be able to grow something exotic looking.

Take a look at my Day in Kent to see more photos of the World Garden.