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Rock and Water Garden (Area H)

The Rock and Water Garden has been magnificent this year. Swathes of Trollius, meadowsweet and Asiatic primulas clearly enjoy the damper conditions round the main pool. In fact, the primulas have seeded with abandon. In the smaller upper pools, Zantedeschia ethiopica has been planted in the water and has developed into huge, beautiful clumps; the water protects the plant roots from low temperatures and it has overwintered without trouble – so far. On the drier slopes are many alpines and it is a great pleasure to see these delicate plants growing and spreading their gorgeous colours over the whole area. Some favourites are the bright yellow Oenothera missouriensis trailing over rocks, the softest blue Lithodora oleifolia rambling about and the delicate, late-flowering Leucojum autumnale. It is a long time since such special – and vulnerable - plants have graced the Gardens in such profusion.