We are excited to launch a new Evergreen Gardens Trail in our Gardens this spring. Visitors can journey through our Gardens, using a specially designed map, to locate and identify a variety of evergreen trees and plants based on their unique appearance and leaves. Our trail commences 12 February 2024.
The below trees and plants all form part of our trail:
Bamboo: Used in our animal enclosures, especially for birds, tall bushy bamboo provides excellent climbing, perching, and hiding spots. Spot our resident cockatoo in the leafy enclosure at our mini zoo.
Palm: Palms, found worldwide, have diverse shapes and sizes. Dating back over 5,000 years, they were used for tools, shelter and shade.
Yew: Yews, living for over 3,000 years, have a remarkable history. Used in ancient times for tools, yew wood’s durability was crucial in making English Longbows during the Middle Ages.
Fern: Amidst the trees by the bridge, feathery fern leaves add a touch of greenery. Ferns are ancient plants whose ancestors first appeared on Earth over 300 million years ago. They thrive in cooler, shaded areas and are excellent air purifiers.
Cypress: Tall and thin Cypress trees stand out for their size, beauty and hardiness. Commonly found in Mediterranean countries they are popular for their ornamental charm.
Olive: Thriving in the Mediterranean, olive trees are known for their fruits and oil. While less likely to produce fruit in the UK, they make hardy ornamental plants, surviving both hot summers and sub-zero temperatures.
Magnolia: The Southern Magnolia, with evergreen waxy leaves and large white flowers, traces back over 100 million years. Existing before bees, magnolias rely on beetles for pollination.
Juniper: Twisting Juniper trees near the Café are slow-growing. Juniper fruits find uses in gin, essential oils and condiments.
Ivy: Climbing tree trunks and branches, ivy uses bricks and trees to reach sunlight. It has a separate root system, absorbing nutrients independently.
Brachyglottis: Also known as a daisy bush, this shrub’s silver-green leaves spread out across the outside path of the Temple Lake. Its silvery leaves sparkle in the sunlight and are popular in flower arrangements and wreaths.
Eucalyptus: Common in Australia, eucalyptus trees in our Australian Garden are known for their unique leaf shape. Eucalyptus essential oil has medicinal uses and the wood is used for making didgeridoos.
Scots Pine: Scots Pine, Scotland’s national tree, lines the path by the Historical Gardens, taking 100 years to reach maturity. In autumn, they bear cones. Renowned for their ‘red deal’ timber, they are prized for strength and ease in construction and furniture-making.
Holly: Found throughout the Woodland Walk, holly trees can be left to grow naturally or maintained as hedging. Female trees bear berries, making them a festive decoration during Christmas. Make sure to visit our Holly Maze today!
Blue Atlas Cedar: Greeting visitors in the Fairy Forest, Blue Atlas Cedars, native to the Atlas Mountains, showcase changing shapes with age. Their cones take up to two years to mature.
Click here to download your map or ask for a copy at Reception. The correct answer can be found here (no peeking in advance!).
