Special Collections
Aloaceae
There is
a lot more to this family than Aloe vera.
This is a favoured succulent plant in the garden and a significant
collection endemic to Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula has
been acquired. Nearly all plants need to be cultivated in pots, as they
would not thrive outdoors. The collection now numbers approximately one
hundred and notable examples include A. polyphylla,
A. thraskii, A. helenae,A.eminens, A. ortolopha,
A. macroclada, A. sabaea, to name a few. In time a more permanent
residence will be required for their continued cultivation.
Cactus and Succulent Collection
This is
to be found in one of the Glasshouses. Many of the larger Cacti are
more than thirty years old. The drought tolerant Aloaceae
of South Africa/Madagascar and Aeonium of the
Canary Islands are also featured. The beautiful flowering Azorina vidalli from the
Azores is gaining in size. Miniature South African succulents
camouflaged as stones can be found among the stone dressing.
Alpine
Collection
The Alpine collection is mainly displayed in two areas of the garden. These are, a long feeding trough - a remnant of the old farmyard - and a much larger, specifically constructed rock garden utilising 40 tonnes of local rock and scree. The plants in these two locations are suited to sunny, well-drained Alpine regions around the world, including Europe, New Zealand, North America and elsewhere. Both species and cultivars/varieties are cultivated. Some examples include Sedum, Androsace, Lewisia, Saxifraga, Celmisia, Phlox, Auricula and many more. Planting continues in these areas with new species being acquired from South America and elsewhere. No Winter protection is provided. Many of the plants are labelled.
Important note
It
is not intended to provide information on every single plant species
found growing in the garden. This would be almost impossible such are
the numbers involved! Instead, a small selection has been chosen to
give a flavour of the diversity and quality of the plant collection
which can be further discovered upon visiting the garden. |