The borders are planted with local native species in accordance with Bexley Council's commitment to biodiversity and Local Agenda 21. The garden looks back to the medieval hortus conclusus , a symmetrical structure of local materials, enclosed by hedges and trees, with straight paths and beds softened by an abundance of cottage-garden flowers. Many of the plants look like new exotics, but are actually some of the oldest inhabitants of this land. The cottage garden border is, in fact, an array of native foodplants. Both moths and butterflies need their specific foodplants, but several plants have many species which use them.
Fertile butterflies lay eggs only on a limited number of plant species, often only one.
If the foodplant disappears in an area, so will the butterfly. The garden highlights a new direction in English horticulture - growing England's ancient plants to bring new life into gardens. It combines ornamental gardening with the conservation of England's native plant heritage. No exotics or modern cultivars are used. The display emphasizes how even a relatively formal garden can be made entirely of plants that pre-dated the Roman invasion.