To the north of the green house a steep bank is gradually being converted into rock terraces with scree areas and paths traversing the bank. Much of the planting is experimental and on the verges of the limit of what even the Ventnor microclimate will allow. Factors of hardiness beyond temperature have been reckoned with, planting into sharp, rocky substrates reduces winter damp.
Many plants usually only seen in a dry collection under glass, flower freely out of doors such as Prickly Pear cacti, Agaves, Aloes and Puya. Several groups of Washingtonia Palm have been successful, as have giant Eucalyptus, but a few years old.
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