Water Gardens

The water gardens theme continues downstream along The Slips, where the first stretch of open water is the Black Pond, once known as Black Swan Pond, though none of those unusual birds are found there today - only ducks.

After Black Pond, the Ditch Beds are justifiably much-visited for their primulas, Himalayan blue poppies and giant Himalayan lilies which cannot be ignored, either when in June flower, or later in the year when they produce massive sculptural seed heads.

Following the water downstream past Iris Dell takes the interested visitor to the hidden charms of the Water Garden proper, with its mix of moisture-loving and woodland flowering plants.

Continue the tour

Back up to: Garden Zone

Carry on to: Iris Dell