A Garden Walk . . .

Given over largely to the cultivation of Hydrangea species and cultivars this area is known as the Hydrangea Dell. The mop-headed 'Hortensia' hydrangeas are largely derived from the species Hydrangea macrophylla. Many hundreds of varieties have been raised but most are unsuitable for outdoor cultivation.

The majority being grown for forcing as flowering pot plants. In Britain plants that have flowers more closely associated with the wild species are distinguished from the mop-heads under the term 'Lacecaps'. It is very probable that many of the 'Hortensias' and 'Lacecaps' are in fact hybrids between Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea serrata. Planted amongst the hydrangeas are numerous plants mostly of Asiatic or Himalayan origin. Several specimens of the "Foxglove Tree" Paulownia tomentosa are planted here and to the rear of the south facing bank a number of Magnolia campbellii varieties are planted. A survivor of the storms to be found here is the rare Chinese tree Cinnamomum glanduliferum, this evergreen is a member of the Laurel Family (Lauraceae), and has strongly aromatic leaves particularly when they are crushed.

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