From Discovery To Legacy

This border honours Sir Harold Hillier's passion for plants and conservation, celebrating the creation of a world-class garden. Inspired by Once Upon a Time, it reflects his plant-hunting travels through vibrant colour and rich texture, with a bust symbolising the enduring strength of his legacy.

This Beautiful Border celebrates the remarkable journey of Sir Harold Hillier, whose passion for plants and plant conservation transformed his vision into a world-class, award-winning garden. Inspired by the theme "Once Upon a Time", this design tells a story of discovery & conservation - echoing Sir Harold's travels across continents to collect rare and unusual species and planted to represent chapters of his incredible story.

Vibrant colours symbolise his worldwide adventures, layered textures reflect the diversity of his plant collecting and the Bust of Sir Harold signifies the strength of his legacy. The dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) represents conservation, a species once thought extinct; Sir Harold planted one of the first in Britain and today it stands in the border as an emblem of the Gardens' continued commitment to conservation and horticultural excellence.

This border is more than a display - it's a living narrative of curiosity, creativity, and the enduring magic of plants.