Some unfortunate soul might die in their garden but would you die for your garden?
No, I am not sure that I would and when it comes to plant hunting, the most dangerous situation I have found myself in was getting a bit close to a herd of stampeding but inquisitive bullocks who decided that they didn't like me lying on my stomach photographing a wild flower.
Other daring horticulturist though go to extreme measures and for one roaming plant hunter, it almost ended in death.
Tom Hart Dyke took a trip to South America in 2000 in search of a flowers but was kidnapped by a guerilla faction whilst trekking through The Darien Gap in the Panamanian jungle.
Given up for dead by the British Embassy while being held in captivity for nine months, Tom literally penned in his idea for a world garden as he refused to give up hope of ever being free.
After being released from their ordeal just before Christmas 2000, Tom set about building his vision of a World Garden that set about creating a place for all of the plants he collected from from around the world.
Tom's story is a real marketing joy but what I like about what the team at Lullingstone Castle have achieved is the sense of pride and passion.
My Mother in Law paid a visit there yesterday and she told me on the telephone last night that the whole project is so worth a visit and everyone who was in their Aldershot and District Flower Club party, thought that Tom's enthusiasm infiltrated everyone.
Visit the Lullingstone Castle World Garden Website
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