Herstmonceux Castle’s Water Lilies Win National Recognition

Herstmonceux Castle’s Water Lilies Win National Recognition

Herstmonceux Castle Estate has long drawn visitors with its brick battlements and sweeping grounds. Now, there’s another reason to make the trip: its much-loved collection of water lilies has been officially named a National Plant Collection in the “Historical” category by Plant Heritage, the UK’s leading garden plant conservation charity.

This recognition is no small accolade. It secures the collection’s place as part of the nation’s living heritage and shines a spotlight on a story that stretches back decades, rooted in one man’s devotion.

The Warner Legacy

At the heart of this story is Ken Warner. His son, Graham, describes the award as “securing his legacy,” adding that his father would have been immensely proud. Ken’s fascination with water lilies began in earnest in the 1970s, after a childhood spent playing among the grounds of Herstmonceux when the castle itself was still a ruin. He went on to build a successful aquatic plant wholesale business and, through that work, crossed paths with fellow enthusiast Ray Davies.

Davies’ own path eventually led him to become the owner of Latour-Marliac in France—the nursery that, back in the 19th century, transformed water lilies from simple whites and yellows into the dazzling range of colours we know today. The nursery’s creations famously inspired Claude Monet, who filled his Giverny garden ponds with them and in turn gave the world those unforgettable paintings.

Bringing History Home

In the late 1980s, Warner brought many of the Latour-Marliac varieties back to the UK. With the support of estate manager Keith Newman, he identified Herstmonceux Castle Estate as the perfect home for them. Over the years, the collection spread through the formal gardens, the castle moat, and even the ponds at the nearby Observatory Science Centre. Visitors in summer are rewarded with ponds alive with blooms—peach, red, yellow, and white—each plant carrying a piece of botanical history.

International recognition came as early as 1994, when the International Water Lily Society held its symposium at the castle, drawing experts and enthusiasts from across the globe.

National Plant Collection Status

The new National Plant Collection status formalises what visitors and gardeners have long sensed: that this isn’t just a pretty display but a cultural and horticultural treasure. The Plant Collections Committee of Plant Heritage awarded the designation based on the historical value and careful stewardship of the collection.

Carl Welch, the estate’s Head of Gardens and Grounds, says the award “confirms the national importance of these plants we look after and provides a fantastic platform for us to enhance the collection further.” For visitors, it means the lilies won’t just be admired for their beauty but interpreted as part of the estate’s wider story—linking Sussex ponds to French hybridisers and even to Monet’s canvases.

A Living Attraction

For garden lovers, the Herstmonceux lilies are now firmly on the map. They offer a living connection between art, history, and horticulture. For locals, they’re a reminder that global stories can take root close to home. And for the estate itself, they’re a point of pride that carries the legacy of Ken Warner forward, ensuring his passion project will be nurtured for generations to come.

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