2008-2020

The Gardens have evolved and changed throughout their history, and that trend has continued since the restoration and re-opening in 2008.

In November 2008, a stainless steel sculpture of a giant leaf cutter ant, created by sculptor Johnny White, was placed in the Marnock Garden.

In summer 2010 an elegant onion-shaped wooden shelter with seating was installed by Handspring Design, a company based at the sawmill in Ecclesall Woods. The lower section of the roof was planted up as a ‘green roof’.

In 2018 a section of the Marnock garden was cleared and a new scree bed created. A variety of beautiful alpine plants were planted, making this a most attractive centre-piece.

The ‘Prairie Style’ of planting trialled by Professor James Hitchmough contributed to the acclaimed ‘Fields Of Gold’ planting by James and Professor Nigel Dunnett in the London Olympic Park in 2012.

In 2019 parts of the original prairie planting were cleared and replaced by a display of plants from north-east America woodlands. Other parts are being re-developed with plants from north-west America and California

A trail was laid out and beds created to demonstrate the evolutionary journey from single cells, though bryophytes, clubmosses (represented by the fossil stump), ferns, cycads and conifers to the flowering plants. Information boards were installed.

In 2013 the Mediterranean Climate Garden was redesigned and replanted to a higher specification than during the original restoration.

The new Himalayan Garden was opened in June 2014. The plants were derived from seeds collected by the plant hunter Chris Chadwell from plants growing between 9,000 and 14,000 feet in the mountain range. The seeds were sown and raised by Mr Eric Lee.

As more hybrid varieties have been bred in nurseries, the collections have steadily increased.

The collection of diervillas was moved to the two beds just outside the Marnock Garden wall in 2015.

The weigela collection of hybrids growing at the southern end of the East Lawn (Area G) expanded across the path to another bed at the end of Area H. In 2018 a bed in Osborn’s Field (Area J) was cleared and specimens of the ten species of weigela were planted.

The Sarcococca collection set up in 2008 has met with mixed success. Well established plants across various sites in the Gardens continue to flourish. However, newer plants sited in and around the Marnock Garden have proved somewhat susceptible to damage and disease.

The Dorothy Fox Education Centre was completed and formally opened in March 2017 by the Duke of Devonshire.

In 2018 a new bed next to the wall along the lower part of Osborn’s Field was filled with South African plants grown from seed by Peter and Trish Kohn. Several succulents were donated by Dr Mike Thewles and many of the agapanthuses were bought by Mrs Brenda Zinober.

Inevitably the pandemic had an adverse effect on the Gardens with limitations meaning that the volunteers were not able to access the site to work. The Gardens’ staff did a great job maintaining the lawns and most popular areas, but the peripheral gardens suffered. However, once restrictions were lifted the volunteers have returned, determined to help to defeat the weeds and restore order.