Dame Judi Dench's Bittersweet Garden: A Tribute to Lost Loved Ones

Dame Judi Dench's garden in Surrey spans 2.4 hectares (six acres) and serves as a poignant tribute to her late loved ones. The garden features approximately 100 trees, each representing someone she has lost, creating a personal arboretum. As Dench's eyesight has diminished, she navigates the garden through memories and scents, sharing her stories in a recent episode of the Royal Horticultural Society's podcast, *Roots*.

The Guardian

Among the notable features of Dench's garden is a young oak tree dedicated to her late husband, Michael Williams, who passed away from lung cancer in 2001. This tree, gifted by her daughter Finty and grandson Sammy, symbolizes their wedding anniversary. Dench reflects on the significance of the tree, stating, “It was just a little kind of stick when it arrived. And now it’s full of buds at the top.”

The Guardian

Additionally, a section of the garden is devoted to white flowering plants, a choice made by Williams during his lifetime. Dench describes this area as a way to keep his memory alive, saying, “He’s present in the garden.”

The Guardian

The garden is also home to a wildlife pond, which attracts various animals including ducks, deer, and rabbits. Dench expresses her enjoyment of the wildlife, noting, “We see a lot of it in this garden.” The pond, alongside a carpet of wild garlic that blooms into white flowers, adds to the garden's natural beauty. Dench appreciates the wild garlic, humorously recalling her surprise at its price at a local farm shop, stating, “I thought: oh, hello, I’ve got a business!”

The Guardian

Among the garden's unique features is a statue of Queen Victoria, which Dench acquired as a souvenir from the set of the 2017 film *Victoria & Abdul*, where she portrayed the monarch. She describes the statue as “very private,” as it is positioned in a way that keeps it hidden from view.

The Guardian

Despite her deep connection to the garden, Dench admits to having a phobia of worms, stemming from a childhood incident. Consequently, she employs a gardener named Joe to maintain the space, allowing her to enjoy its beauty without the stress of gardening.

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At 91 years old, Dench reflects on the many trees in her garden, stating, “I have over 100. That’s a lot of people to have lost, but that’s what happens when you get to 91, I guess.” Her garden serves not only as a sanctuary of memories but also as a testament to the enduring connections she maintains with those who have passed.

The Guardian

• “It was just a little kind of stick when it arrived. And now it’s full of buds at the top,” — Dame Judi Dench

The Guardian

• “He’s present in the garden.” — Dame Judi Dench

The Guardian

• “We see a lot of it in this garden,” — Dame Judi Dench

The Guardian

• “In a few weeks, it’s just one mass of white flowers. It’s very, very beautiful. I went out to our local farm shop last year and saw a packet of it for quite a price. And I thought: oh, hello, I’ve got a business!” — Dame Judi Dench

The Guardian

• “There are so many people here. I have over 100. That’s a lot of people to have lost, but that’s what happens when you get to 91, I guess.” — Dame Judi Dench

The Guardian