Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Secret Garden. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Mary Lennox and her cousin Colin restore the hidden garden, and Colin, who believed he was too sick to walk, grows strong. When his grieving father, Archibald Craven, returns to Misselthwaite Manor, he finds Colin running out of the garden to greet him.
Quick facts
– Book: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
– First published: 1911
– Type: A children's novel
– Tone of the ending: Joyful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Mary, an orphan from India, moves to her uncle's Yorkshire manor. She discovers a locked garden that belonged to Colin's late mother. With the help of Dickon, a local boy, she brings it back to life. She also finds Colin, a sickly, spoiled boy hidden in the house.
What Happens at the End of The Secret Garden
Mary and Dickon take Colin into the garden in his wheelchair. Over months, he begins to walk and grows stronger, keeping it secret from his father. Archibald, travelling in Europe, dreams of his wife calling him back to the garden. He returns home, and Colin runs out of the garden. They walk back to the house together.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Colin learns to walk.
- The garden heals everyone.
- Archibald returns home.
- Mary becomes kind and happy.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Mary Lennox | Grows kind and happy |
| Colin Craven | Becomes strong and healthy |
| Dickon Sowerby | Mary's friend |
| Archibald Craven | Reunited with Colin |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the healing power of nature and friendship.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers wish Mary had more focus at the end, while others love Colin's recovery.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Healing. The garden restores health and joy.
Friendship. Mary, Dickon and Colin grow close.
Nature. The garden symbolizes rebirth.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Secret Garden as joyful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Frances Hodgson Burnett to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are joyful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Frances Hodgson Burnett closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1993 and 2020 films follow the main ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Secret Garden with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about healing, and do you agree with Frances Hodgson Burnett's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as joyful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces healing and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Frances Hodgson Burnett leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Secret Garden often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Secret Garden earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After The Secret Garden
- A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Related: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Secret Garden You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Secret Garden?
Mary Lennox and her cousin Colin restore the hidden garden, and Colin, who believed he was too sick to walk, grows strong. When his grieving father, Archibald Craven, returns to Misselthwaite Manor, he finds Colin running out of the garden to greet him.
Is the ending of The Secret Garden happy or sad?
Most readers call it joyful.
What does the ending of The Secret Garden mean?
The ending shows the healing power of nature and friendship.
Is the ending of The Secret Garden the same in the adaptation?
The 1993 and 2020 films follow the main ending.
Who wrote The Secret Garden and when was it published?
The Secret Garden was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett and first published in 1911.
Is The Secret Garden worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Frances Hodgson Burnett prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Secret Garden before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.