Dame Judi Dench finds solace in an orchard dedicated to those she has lost
In short: Host Jo Whiley joins Dame Judi Dench in her private garden to discuss her lifelong connection to plants. From wartime vegetable patches to her personal arboretum, Dench reveals how she maintains a deep bond with nature despite her failing eyesight.
In this episode of Roots, Dame Judi Dench reflects on her gardening journey, beginning with the vegetables she grew during the war. Her current garden serves as a living memorial; she plants a new tree in her orchard for every loved one who has passed away. This practice remains central to her life, even as her vision deteriorates, allowing her to feel the presence of her garden even when she cannot see it.
The conversation also touches on the practical and poetic sides of horticulture. Dench shares her personal fear of worms and recites Shakespearean sonnets centered on nature. She is joined by Tony Kirkham, an RHS Council Member, who provides expert gardening advice and contributes a new tree to her collection.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Worms, First Memories, Trees and Fizz with Dame Judi Dench | Roots S1 E3 | The RHS
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