Poison Garden opens
2005-02-28 17:31
London - A groundbreaking - and deadly - Poison Garden threw open its doors on Monday in northeast England with a much talked about collection of dagga plants, opium poppies and the coca plant that is the source of cocaine.
Mind-bending magic mushrooms, poisonous foxgloves, deadly nightshades, tobacco plants and wild lettuce tranquillisers are also among the 50 dangerous plants cultivated in the garden at Alnwick Castle, designed by Belgian landscape artist Peter Virtz.
To highlight its hazardous nature, the Poison Garden's beds are laid in the shape of flickering flames.
Visitors will also be escorted through the grounds, where the most deadly plants are being kept behind security bars.
The £400 000 garden is the brainchild of Jane, Duchess of Northumberland, who is turning Alnwick Castle - a backdrop to Harry Potter movies - into a major draw for Britain's legion of horticultural enthusiasts.
"The garden's appeal of danger presents teachers and parents with a new avenue to tackle drug awareness with young people," said the duchess, who had to get home office permission to create the garden.
"After all, young people are more fascinated by what plants can kill you than what plants are good for you.