Plants of 17th and 18th centuries identified for Lydiard's Walled Garden

In 2003 John Sales, former Head of Gardens at The National Trust , identified all the plants which featured on the Lady Diana painted panels at Lydiard House, the majority of which could still be sourced. Some of these are included here, together with other historic plants he recommended. John's knowledge of historic plants informed planting in the 18th century Walled Garden at Lydiard Park during The Lydiard Park Restoration Project 2004-7.

Lady Diana (Spencer), Viscountess Bolingbroke (1734-1808), would have been familiar with the plants in her garden at Lydiard Park and although her panels were made later in her life, by which time she was living in Twickenham as Lady Diana Beauclerk, the association was compelling.

John Sales also drew on evidence in the letters of gardening enthusiast Lady Johanna St.John (1631-1705) in which she sent frequent instructions on the care of her plants to her Steward at Lydiard Park. John conjectured that Johanna's grandchildren would have rescued many of her precious plants from her extensive formal gardens when they were demolished and the new walled garden installed following the remodelling of Lydiard House in the 1740's.