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Evolution Garden (Area P)

Based on the beautiful Cedar Lawn, this area is designed to show how plants have evolved over millions of years. Our starting point is a fossilised stump of one of the giant Lycopods which flourished some 300 million years ago, and which contributed – eventually – to the Coal Measures. Blocks of coal were placed near a small pool to show what such plants finally became. However, the pool has been filled in because it was viewed as potentially dangerous. The area is now a bog garden, planted with Gunnera, Meadow Sweet and other moisture-demanding plants.

Primitive plants, such as mosses and ferns, are all represented and established plantings already show a good range of conifers, such as Gingko, Dawn Redwood, Giant Redwood and Golden Larch. Smaller beds surrounding the central lawn are planted with selections from the main plant families to demonstrate plant diversity.

Fossil tree

Cedrus deodara