‘Plant Hunter & Gardener with Passion
Join Tom Hart Dyke, 20th generation owner of Lullingstone Castle in Kent, one of England’s oldest family estates, dating back to the time of Domesday.
Immerse yourself in Tom’s tale of survival and passion for plants as he recounts his harrowing experience of being abducted by warring guerilla factions while hunting for rare orchids in the Colombian jungle. Held captive for nine months, Tom’s resilience later led to the creation of The World Garden at Lullingstone Castle, a botanical marvel laid out to resemble a miniature map of the world, showcasing thousands of plant species from their respective continents of origin.
Delve into Tom’s personal anecdotes of growing up amidst the rich history of Lullingstone Castle, gaining insight into his profound connection to the estate and his pursuit of botanical wonders.
Tom Hart Dyke epitomises the spirit of modern-day plant hunters, echoing the daring exploits of his Victorian and Edwardian predecessors who braved perilous landscapes in pursuit of exotic flora. His World Garden serves as a tribute to their extraordinary legacy, celebrating the botanical treasures they unearthed and introduced to gardens across the UK.
Speaker Bio - Tom Hart Dyke
‘I’m a plant hunter, a plantsman, and a plant nut who ever since ‘germination’ was nurtured by my massively influential granny. A packet of carrot seeds and a trowel from Granny at the age of three really got things going! My Grandmother was my best friend, both bonded by a shared passion for the outdoors and in particular, Orchids. This led me in my teenage years to experiment with exotic orchids from Tropical America and South-East Asia, culminating in itchy botanical feet and travels to Northern Thailand in 1998 to observe Paphiopedilum bellatullum in the wild.
An RHS-sponsored expedition to Tasmania followed with the mission statement of sourcing potentially hardy woody plants such as Eucalypts. These botanically eye-opening trips enabled me to improve my plant husbandry back home in Kent by observing the habitats of wild populations. And despite 9 months captivity as a hostage during the Millennium Year whilst on an orchid hunting expedition in the depths of the Colombian rainforest, I still have a crystal-clear mission in life: creating and further developing the World Garden (modelled on maps sketched in my diary during my death-defying captivity) which has a reputation for botanical excellence and will ultimately keep my family home at Lullingstone Castle financially afloat.’
