The (real) Hobbit Garden

12 years ago

A couple of years ago I posted a message about my own 'hobbit' garden, a small bed near my back door that was inspired by Peter Jackson's movies. This past winter my DH and I had the good fortune to tour the Hobbiton movie site, newly refurbished for the filming of the two new Hobbit movies. Unfortunately we had to sign an agreement saying that we would not post any pictures, I am assuming until the first movie is released.

For those of you who share my passion for Tolkien's world, I thought I'd share some impressions. They used a wide palette of plants, lots of traditional English cottage garden flowers mixed with similar country plants that do well in New Zealand. Except for the village vegetable bed, it was all a mix of one's and two's, mostly ornamental but with the odd brassica here and there. Lots of lovely woven willow garden ornaments, mossy coatings on all the old looking new wood, and every kind of country touch you can imagine - even the clotheslines and mailboxes. The local invasive pest is the opossum foolishly imported from Australia (completely unrelated to the North American opossum). They would completely destroy all the plants overnight, so the plants are all frequently sprayed with something highly unpleasant that repels the opossums. Apparently it works. Behind the scenes there is a nursery that grows all the plants needed for the gardens, and plants are swapped out regularly to keep them fresh at all times.

It was a wonderful experience. If any of you get a chance to go to NZ, please do not pass up the opportunity to visit this remarkable setting and garden.

I have lots of photos. When it becomes legal for me to do so, I'll post them.

Rosefolly

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Comments (11)

Calamity_J
12 years ago
PUHLEEEZ DO!!!!
schoolhouse_gw
12 years ago
Sounds great. I'll be waiting too.
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lavender_lass
12 years ago
Me, too! Any pictures of your Hobbit garden?
scully931
12 years ago
What an interesting story. Can't wait to see the pics!
mytime
12 years ago
I hope I get to see Hobbiton soon, but in the meantime, I look forward to seeing your pictures.
mnwsgal
12 years ago
Thanks for sharing. It sounds like an interesting tour. I look forward to seeing your photos when they can be posted.
newbiehavinfun
12 years ago
Oh, please do share those pics! Can't wait!
ianna
12 years ago
In my fantasy world with huge large gardens, I have a rounded house half dug into the earth and topped with lush green grass - sprinkled with meadow flowers. The door would be made of wood and it would have a nice window to peep out of. under each window there would be plantings of colourful blooms that last all thru the season. Nearby a grape vine hangs over a trellis - dripping with ripe fruit.

of course there must be a brook bubbling nearby with a large tree growing by its banks. Japanese primulas covering the area. A little wooden bridge crosses over it.

Oh well -- that's my fairyland fantasy garden. Can't wait to see those pictures.
rosefolly
Original Author
12 years ago
And I can't wait to post them. The first movie comes out in December 2012, so we have a long time to be patient. The gardens are wilder than we think of cottage gardens being, but so perfect in every detail. I just loved that tour.

Rosefolly
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
12 years ago
Rosefolly, we are huge Tolkien fans. I have read the book at least 45 times (LOTR). We were there in 2003, but the crowds were daunting, so we just had lunch and got back in the car to travel to quieter places. I would love to see the set as it was/is in the movies.

Your post makes me want to fly over there now! I also would love to see pics of your very own hobbit garden!
rosefolly
Original Author
12 years ago
I'm not allowed to post pictures yet, but I did notice that the Hobbiton tour site has updated their pictures. You can get some glimpses of what it looks like newly refurbished.

No garden close-ups, but some bits and pieces.

Rosefolly