A rare orchid, closely related to those that informed Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, has been restored to the scientist’s former garden at Down House in Kent by English Heritage. Following two years of careful conservation and management by the charity’s gardeners and volunteers, Down House’s violet helleborine orchid population has doubled in number and is currently enjoying its best flowering season in living memory.

Darwin spent many hours in the gardens at Down House making observations and conducting experiments that helped develop his ground-breaking theories - with the helleborine orchid and its relationship with insects playing a key role. The violet helleborine orchid is particularly interesting as it is pollinated entirely by wasps. The plant’s nectar is intoxicating to wasps, making them fall about as though drunk and unable to clean themselves of pollen. The wasps then travel from flower to flower, carrying the pollen and pollinating as they go. Without wasps, there would be no violet helleborine.

Antony O’Rourke, Head Gardener at Down House, said: "The gardens at Down House were Darwin’s 'outdoor laboratory' and are a living monument to some of the most important discoveries in the history of mankind. At English Heritage, our conservation work extends beyond ancient buildings. Down House is a great example of how the charity cares for many gardens and landscapes of national historic importance. Protecting and restoring the unique ecosystem that informed Darwin’s work is of vital importance, and we’re delighted to see our efforts rewarded with such an abundant display of violet helleborines this year."

The orchids are expected to flower throughout August. Other garden highlights include the mulberry tree that Darwin’s children played on, the great house meadow where he discovered that red clover depends on bumblebees to fertilise its flowers, the greenhouse where he kept his insectivorous plants and the quarter mile Sandwalk where he did his thinking.

For more information on Down House, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/home-of-charles-darwin-down-house