Birch Hill

Birch Hill is the highest point in the Gardens, and protects areas lying to the south from strong north-westerly winds.

 

It is home to a collection of Himalayan birches Betula utilis  and other ornamental trees including a spectacular Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Caucasian wingnut) which carries remarkable strings of ‘fruit’ in late summer.

Fagus sylvatica ‘Asplenifolia’ the fern-leaved beech is also notable as is Parrotia persica ‘Pendula’  an unusual prostrate form of the Persian ironwood.

Towards the Rose garden there is a Pinus radiata (Monterey pine) introduced by David Douglas from Monterey Peninsula (California) in 1833

  • The Garden in Autumn 2011

  • Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) March 2015

  • Caucasian wingnut (Pterocarya fraxinifolia) July 2015

  • Daffodils in the Garden April 2016

  • Magnolia 2015

  • Magnolia ‘Lois’. April 2020

  • Magnolia and daffodils March 2022

  • Magnolia liliifolia ‘Nigra’. March 2022

Magnolia Triangle

The Magnolia collection lies next to the Rose Garden below Birch Hill. It contains older specimens and has been increased with several new plants in recent years.