The buildings in which plant collections are displayed and the structures
used to support plants are themselves design features, though not part of
this conference. Many have been restored or won awards. The geodesic
biomes of Eden are the biggest indoor habitats in the world 16. With its
plastic-membrane cells, it is also one of the first non-glass glasshouses.
Such an iconic building is the latest of buildings representing a status
symbol of the plants within.
On occasions, single plants have been responsible for the construction of
buildings. The introduction of certain tropical plants in the seventeenth
and eighteenth centuries caused minor flurries of excitement. Probably
the greatest inspiration was the Victoria waterlily. The remarkable 6-
foot leaves caused a spate of purpose-built Victoria-houses to be built at
Kew, Oxford, Dublin and Staunton, following Joseph Paxtonís initial
success at Chatsworth in flowering the plant in the 1850s.
There are numerous spectacular and historic display glasshouses (the
theme of a PlantNet conference at Sheffield in 2003), from the
Curvilinear Turner House at Glasnevin, the Palm House at Kew, the
Kibble Palace at Glasgow Botanic Gardens, to the Pavilions at Sheffield
Botanical Gardens, the Palm House at the Royal Botanic Garden
Edinburgh, the Turner House at Belfast Botanic Gardens, and many
more. Working estate glasshouses have been beautifully restored at
West Dean 10, Audley End and elsewhere. The biomes at Eden as well
as the Great Glasshouse at Middleton National Botanic Garden of
Wales, the Sheffield Winter Gardens and the Princess of Wales
Conservatory at Kew are examples of great modern garden buildings. A
vast biome for butterflies is planned near St Albans. A glasshouse bridge
spanning the A167 has been proposed for Newcastle Botanic Garden.
Structures such as pagodas, temples and fountains are distinct features in
historic gardens, giving them a sense of place. Kew is recognised as a
World Heritage Site not only for its historic landscape and buildings, but
also for its plant collections and scientific research. Such recognition
brings with it special responsibility for maintaining the site, entailing
difficult decisions on priorities for management and funding of the
component parts.
21
At Glasnevin an unusual chain tent still supports a collection of
wisterias; originally, the central pole was a weeping ash tree. At
Brodsworth Hall 12, A restored curved iron rose pergola runs through a
box-edged rose garden planted with nineteenth-century roses.
Rock gardens, once so popular in domestic gardens, are again attracting
interest. The recently restored rock garden at Chelsea Physic Garden is
the oldest planted rock garden in Europe still on view to the public and
is an early example of ecological planting. Dating from 1773, it was
constructed for the cultivation of plants that thrive in stony soils, from
stonework demolished from the Tower of London; donated chalk, flints
and gravels; and lava from an Icelandic volcano brought back as ballast
by Sir Joseph Banksís ship the St Lawrence. It was later embellished
with tufa and corals and a giant clam shell from voyage of The
Endeavour in 1768ñ71. The University of Bristol Botanic Garden at
Bracken Hill has a good example of a Pulhamite rock garden. The
dramatic rock garden and cascades at Cragside are undergoing
restoration. The limestone rock garden at Cambridge University Botanic
Garden is planted geographically and includes a doline, a natural feature
of limestone country.
A grass maze at Cambridge Botanic Garden composed of Oryzopsis
lessoniana, a species from New Zealand, is an unusual feature popular
with children. Based on a classical design related to the Cretan
Minotaur, it is replanted every 3ñ4 years. A new yew maze was planted
at Staunton Country Park to mark the Queenís Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Willow or hazel support structures for climbers, as seen in the fruit and
vegetable garden at RHS Rosemoor 17, are both practical and decorative,
and can be promoted as examples of recycling and sustainable practices.
Walled gardens are major features in historic gardens. Several have been
restored in recent years. Those at Heligan 16 and Tatton Park show
traditional cultivation techniques. The structures of the walled gardens at
Osborne House 2
and West Dean 10 have been authentically restored, but
the planting is modern. At West Dean, though some plants are grown to
be eaten, they also provide visual delight and inspiration for classes at
the college.
22
Notes on the C