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Main Lawns (Areas F&G)

The historic heart of the Gardens is planted to emulate the Gardenesque design style, where scattered plantings have been given enough space to develop their full beauty. The Botanical Gardens are considered to be one of the best examples in the country of the Gardenesque style and it was Robert Marnock, their designer and first curator, who perfected the style when he laid them out in 1836.

Along the central Broadwalk between the East and West Lawns substantial 80m long herbaceous borders were developed in the 1930s, under the curatorship of Mr Charles Curtis. As part of the Restoration Project they were re-designed as mixed herbaceous/shrub borders, and planted by the FOBS and the Gardens' staff in 2002. Waves of colour develop all through the season, shown to advantage by the solid green of the backing holly hedges; the use of many ornamental grasses gives softer tones in the winter.

The National Collections of Weigela and Diervilla have been established on the East Lawn and are managed and recorded by a volunteer member of FOBS.

West Lawn in the Autumn

Main Borders

Main Lawns Evening

Main Lawns and Pavilions Evening

Weigela (Florida Variegata)

Weigela (Rumba)