Sissinghurst Castle Garden is reinstating the impressive Poplar Avenue, that was originally planted by former owners Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson in 1932. The Poplar Avenue is one of 70 National Trust tree planting initiatives for the Queen’s Green Canopy project, a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. It invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”, creating a legacy in her honour for the benefit of future generations.
The National Trust projects have been funded by £180,000 from the conservation charity and a generous legacy.
Head Gardner Troy Scott Smith invited local MP, and Sissinghurst Castle Garden fan Helen Grant, to help plant some of the Poplar trees.
Helen said, ‘It was an absolute pleasure to be invited to take part in efforts to re-energise Vita and Harold’s original vision for their extraordinary gardens. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is such a significant moment in our cultural history, I can’t think of a better way to mark the occasion than by planting young trees that will last at least another 70 years and quite probably more. Some of these trees are cuttings from the stump of one of the original trees planted in the 1930s so this really is sustainable historical gardening at its best’.
Troy Scott Smith, Head Gardener said, ‘This avenue is an important part of the Plain or the Front Field, as Vita and Harold referred to the area immediately outside the garden entrance. We know they both loved poplars thanks to the drawings and entries from their diaries. They particularly loved how it reminded them of Mediterranean landscapes.’