Time-warp garden to be re-opened

15:06 23rd January 2009

A garden created by legendary horticulturalist EA Bowles is to be renovated and opened to the public.

Myddelton House Gardens has received almost £500,000 in grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and will undergo a two-year restoration period that will eventually see the public being able to access the Victorian Kitchen Garden at the site for the first time.

The garden will give a unique insight into Victorian gardening and HLF London committee chairman Wesley Kerr explained that a whole new generation of budding gardeners would be able to enjoy the fruits of Bowles' labour for free.

"All great gardens carry the imprint and character of their creator," he said.

"Even though Edward Bowles died half a century ago, the broad outlines and some of the plants from one of London's most poetic horticultural plantations remain at Myddelton House in a remarkably peaceful and evocative setting.

"The potting shed feels as though Bowles had just stepped out."

Gardens such as this allow horticulturalists to enjoy themselves while searching for inspiration for what to do with their own garden or greenhouse.

According to eabowlessociety.org.uk, there are still around 40 plants named after the 19th Century gardener on sale.