Locked behind black steel doors Alnwick Castle grows the world’s deadliest garden. Home to around 100 infamous killers, from deadly nightshade to hemlock, this is one garden where you won’t want to stop and smell the flowers.
Every plant within the Poison Garden at Alnwick Castle could kill a human, though the way they go about it varies. They have plants that look ominous, flowers that look harmless and fruits that look ripe for eating. Thankfully, all of them are marked with big, unmissable signs: deadly.
Trevor Jones is the head gardener at Alnwick, and it is his job to look after these various poisonous plants. From dealing with plants that burn and give seven-year blisters, to classic poisonous berries, to a big laurel hedge (the plant that produces cyanide), Jones’ job is more fraught than typical gardening, and he has to prepare accordingly, covering his face and skin when monitoring the roughly 100 plants now found within Alnwick’s walls.
The garden is hidden behind thick black gates in Northumberland, England. It was the brainchild of the Duchess of Northumberland, who opted to go for something a little bit more exciting than standard herb gardens.
Despite the collection of potentially deadly flora already around three figures, Jones explains that they are always looking to grow the garden, and that doing so is easier than some might think. While they do have some exotic, more obviously dangerous plants, many of the species are “cottage garden plants”. This means they are found in lots of peoples’ homes and backyard gardens, yet most are oblivious to their potential danger.
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Jones loves working in Alnwick’s poison garden. On top of everything else, he jokes: “It’s a good way to get rid of your wife.”
If you are ever in the area, you can go on a tour of Alnwick Castle’s deadly garden. Just be sure not to touch anything. Or eat the berries.
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