Fresh from winning a 65th consecutive gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show, Andrew McIndoe, Managing Director of Hillier Nurseries & Garden Centres, officially opened Marwell Wildlife’s new Formal Garden today (Friday 9 July).

Andrew launched the garden by cutting a ceremonial lavender ribbon and completed the historical garden by planting the final rose bush.

Andrew McIndoe commented that he was honoured to be asked to open the Formal Garden: “It’s a great privilege to open Marwell’s Formal Garden and enjoy history in the making. Considering the terrible weather earlier this year plus the recent heat waves, what Marwell has achieved is remarkable. The appropriateness of a garden is very important, and the formal style of this historical garden is absolutely fitting for Marwell. I am very proud to be part of it, and look forward to seeing it develop over time.”

The Formal Garden includes a representation of three garden styles - the ‘knot’, ‘parterre’ and ‘kitchen’ gardens - from the 16th and 17th centuries, each giving an insight into both the garden styles and plants of this era, as well as some of their culinary and medicinal uses.

The garden is located behind the grade 1 listed Marwell Hall, where Henry VIII is said to have become a frequent visitor when its ownership passed to the Seymour family during the 16th century. Local legend implies that he and his third wife, Jane Seymour were married in the hall.

James Cretney, Marwell’s Chief Executive added: “The garden will help visitors to the zoological park uncover a piece of Marwell’s heritage, and experience the sights and smells of herbs and flowers that would have been popular centuries ago and remain so today.”

The opening follows months of digging, pruning and planting of: 113 roses, 96 lavenders, 64 regale lilies, 104 irises, 280 dianthuses and 940 box plants. Marwell’s team of gardeners also laid over 60 tonnes of topsoil and 6.4 tonnes of sleepers.

As a conservation charity, Marwell Wildlife’s work includes much more than conserving endangered animal species. Today’s opening marks the beginning of a plan to raise the standards of horticulture and create gardens in keeping with Marwell’s heritage.

Gardens provide an accessible and engaging way of inspiring interest and care for the natural world. The gardens highlights some of the contributions that plants make to the quality of our lives; from their aesthetic and sensory appeal to their uses for food and medicine, as well as their importance for wildlife.

By making these simple connections, Marwell’s garden can also act as a stepping stone for people to develop further interests – whether it’s the conservation of local wild flowers and their habitats or more global issues highlighted by many of the species found in the park. All of this supports Marwell’s mission which is to conserve biological diversity – the wealth of life on earth.

The Formal Garden was built by Marwell’s Plants & Landscape Management team, horticulture students from Sparsholt College as well as the Community Payback team. Andy McIndoe and his team at Hilliers supplied the plants, and also provided advice and inspiration on the selection of plants.