A man embarked on journeys across Bhutan, Mongolia, Japan, Tasmania, and New Zealand to collect the world's most magnificent magnolias and relocate them to Kent.
Blueprinting the Dream: A Farm Fostered by a Passionate Horticulturist
In the heart of Kent, England lies a haven for plant enthusiasts - White House Farm. A testament to the boundless passion of its curator, Maurice Foster, this expansive garden and arboretum is an amazing refuge teeming with alluring flora from around the globe.
Maurice Foster, a luminary in the horticultural world, has dedicated more than five decades to nurturing White House Farm. His wisdom and relentless pursuit of plant knowledge have earned him the admiration of everyone who crosses his path. Not only can he recall the provenance of each of the 6,000 plants in his collection, but he can also distinguish between their correct names and possible misnomers.
In 1971, Foster and his late wife, Rosemary, purchased White House Farm with the dream of creating an extensive garden teeming with trees and shrubs, such as magnolias. The property included five initial acres, to which they added a seven-acre apple orchard, now the location of their arboretum, and later three acres of woodland. Overlooking the valley, the garden sits atop a ridge, allowing it to withstand harsh winter frosts rolling down from the lower areas. Its thick plantings have created a shelter fostering the thriving of tender plants that would normally struggle in such conditions.
The soil at White House Farm is a light loam with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5, with parts featuring stony undertones and occasional veins of clay. The farm features extensive seams of Kentish ragstone, a permeable limestone once widely used as a damp course in local buildings. Apart from a century-old Bramley apple tree, both the trees and shrubs gracing the gardens were planted by the Fosters, who spent countless hours clearing the grounds by hand before introducing their first plantings.
After retiring from his publishing job in 1992, Foster embarked on a series of plant-hunting expeditions across Eastern Asia. He returned with an array of magnolia seeds, including Magnolia insignis and M. campbellii subsp. mollicomata from China's upper Salween valley and seed from the rare pink form of M. campbellii that occurs around Darjeeling, marking the "type" of the species and coveted by plant enthusiasts.
Magnolias are far from the only treasures found at White House Farm. Foster's collections boast over 220 hybrid magnolias, many of which are national champions for their height, girth, or both. In addition to these botanical marvels, the gardens and arboretum feature extensive collections of deutzias, philadelphus, sorbus, hornbeams, maples, birches, roses, woodland undergrowth from bluebells to anemones, and notable two hydrangea walks that span 400 yards.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a passionate amateur, a visit to White House Farm is a pilgrimage for those who worship at the altar of flora. Foster, with his unparalleled passion, energy, and charm, embraces you wholeheartedly in this verdant sanctuary dedicated to the beautiful world of plants.
Charles Quest-RitsonA historian and writer on plants and gardens, Charles Quest-Ritson is the mastermind behind The English Garden: A Social History, Gardens of Europe, Ninfa: The Most Romantic Garden in the World, and the collaborative Climbing Roses of the World. He has also written the one-and-only RHS Encyclopedia of Roses in partnership with his wife, Brigid. Food enthusiast and qualified as an olive oil taster, Quest-Ritson has lectured in five languages and on all six continents—except Antarctica. A close relative of Foster, he has often marveled at the transformations wrought by his superlative stewardship at White House Farm.
Charles Quest-Ritson, a historian and writer on plants and gardens, finds a kindred spirit in Maurice Foster's horticultural prowess at White House Farm. Echoing the grandeur of home-and-garden and adventure-travel experiences, Quest-Ritson often ponders the extraordinary transformations wrought by Foster's lifestyle and dedication, turning even ordinary acres into a lush, global oasis teeming with gardening delights.
