The couple intends to preserve the site's unique history by salvaging remnants of the past – including the original stones, bricks and metal gutters – and rejuvenating soil that hasn't been touched in decades.
Mr Wheeler, affectionately known as “The Plant Hunter” for his expertise in rare horticulture, explains: “It’s a place that feels alive again.”
“Besides the history, it’s also about the future – about teaching people to grow in nature, to socialize and to find inspiration.”
“If there is one thing we have learned, it is that gardens and old buildings have a spirit of their own.
“You’re not just restoring them, you’re building a relationship,” he added.