A dynamic approach needed to produce a plan that was developed over 2 years. Landscape architects Gross Max were inspirational in creating a plan capable of dealing with the questions of diversity, identity and sensitivity as well as accommodating subsequent changes.

Local and international influences were considered for their relevance and merit to assess whether they could be an integral part of a cohesive scheme.“The project presents a valuable opportunity that will actively shape the perception and profile of the Isle of  Man in the global context of botany and bio-diversity and will set a benchmark for future sustainable development.

A series of narratives have been written by David Mitchell SHM. FCI Hort. FRGS, previously a curator at RBGE, to enable people to learn and engage with key aspects of the project. They include Pollination, Adaptation and Survival, Evolution and Islands. In time, the Ambassadorial Plants for each narrative will be planted through the landscape to form interpretation trails for all ages.

Natural stone terrace walls form sweeping lines which provide areas for people to appreciate the views through the surrounding areas and enjoy the edible crops including trees, shrubs, climbers and herbaceous plants. The planting design has been produced by Jo Barker of the Permaculture Association acknowledging some of the main permaculture principles and showcasing growing and cultural techniques as well as unusual edibles. Brogdale has produced a list of apples suitable for use in the orchard to tell various aspects of apple distribution and cultivation over the centuries.

The Orchard was designed to create a cultivated area of natural appearance that is able to relate to both the neighbouring residence and the surrounding countryside. It is a suitable project to start the site’s development because of its references to horticulture and botany, conservation, diversity, permaculture, history, interpretation and beauty.

A potager garden and edible flowers and seed garden are also situated in the orchard.

The Forest garden is a natural progression of the orchard and provides a seamless link to the adjoining shelter woodlands, Crataegus copse and meadows. The inclusion of this area in the design was inspired by the work of Robert Hart. It is a dynamic way of providing produce in a structured yet informal arrangement and therefore creates a unique atmosphere.

A wide range of trees, bushes and perennials are grown to provide fruit, nuts, vegetables and herbs.

3 acres

Bringing fossil plants to life on the Isle of Man. Cleve West produced the design inspiration for the Ancient Garden, aiming to achieve an other-worldly atmosphere in which you would imagine something prehistoric lurking inside the plant collection representing early plant evolution.

The Ancient garden will be the keystone within the Evolution and Ancient Plants narrative and will be the primary display of living genera, or related plant families, with fossil records demonstrating the weird and wonderful ancient plants of the world and includes a steep rock covered slope above a deep lake with rock ledges.

The garden will border the Japanese Garden on one side and will integrate with the Ancient Garden using trees common to both themes which will be sympathetic to respective views from either garden.

5 acres

Shunmyo Masuno has designed the formal Japanese gardens to include a Conifer and Moss garden, Dry garden, Stroll garden, water cascade and pools.

The key focal features for the project will be constructed by both Japanese and Estate gardeners.

The formal Japanese garden will showcase the unique landscape elements of Japanese garden design.

Japan is one of 36 biodiversity hotspots. 70% of Japan is forested, of which only 30% is not a monoculture planted for harvesting. An estimated 21% of its flora is threatened with extinction.

The formal gardens will merge into a mixed Japanese woodland to highlight the importance of conserving and promoting the restoration of these natural habitats and forests, celebrating the flora of temperate Japanese forest; connecting and extending the appreciation of Japanese garden design and culture, to the threatened flora of Japan.

5 acres

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The drystone retaining walls form grass terraces for spectators to enjoy a variety of performances. The terraces can comfortably accommodate 300 spectators with level easy access provided onto two of the lower terraces.

The Isle of Man Steam Railways will provide transport options to avoid unnecessary vehicle congestion during events.

A tall drystone retaining wall at the top of the amphitheatre provides space, power and data to support whatever type of event with professional standards of lighting and effects.

A modular performance stage and performers area will ensure superb facilities and avoid any unnecessary permanent structure in the landscape.

0.8 acres

The layout and themes were designed by Harry Holding Studio and include rocky channels and springs, erratic boulders, a large pond and marsh pools. Glades, clearings and scrubland add to the experiences and habitats.

Highlighting species diversity and plant survival, temperate Cornus is the focus of this landscape planted within zones representing the natural habitats and accompanied by their associated species into habitats including woodlands,  shrublands, wetlands and meadows to discover. This is one area where the relationships between the North American and Asian flora is being developed.

This area will be a hotspot for education and interactive experience with habitat types.

4 acres

Philip Smith of O2 Landscapes designed a range of environments to establish some of the fascinating plants of New Zealand, which will showcase the various floral distinctions from Moraines to Woodland and the transition between these areas. Approximately 80% of New Zealand’s plants are endemic having evolved into unique species during the past 55 million years when its land mass separated and evolved; isolated from other land mass influences and floral competition.

The New Zealand botanical landscape is dominated by woodland and forest plantings formed by earth and rock ridges, gulley paths and low lying wetland to suit a diverse group of plants and provide different atmospheres. The woodland gradually changes into a transitional shrub woodland around a pond before meandering through to the tussock and scrub land that will be created in a moraine landscape. As an island that has been significantly influenced by glacial action, the moraine is a landscape that conceptually defines the movement and residual influence of glaciers through the New Zealand landscapes and which are part of a global narrative regarding the formation and development of land forms, the adaptation and survival of plants that evolve in isolated ecosystems.

The scale of these landscapes will allow for a true appreciation and immersive experience with the unique flora of New Zealand.

5.4 acres

The Chilean Forest flora has latitude specific distinction between species richness and diversity, indicating a reliance on climatic conditions. Rapid change in climatic conditions is currently threatening the forest of Chile. Forest regions of Chile north of Concepción are under severe threat and failing already due to the reduced annual precipitation which have affected these areas.

Partnering with the University of Concepción Landscape Ecology Lab, this landscape will be developed to represent the Chilean temperate broadleaf and mixed forest and Magellanic landscapes through the introduction of species, using natural forest plant density and patterns; and successional planting. The Chilean Temperate forest establishment will be a parallel ex-situ planting of the Campus Naturaleza Project  rehabilitation project that the University of Concepcion is undertaking; in order to monitor plant adaptation to climate change.

A series of pools, streams and cascades along with a rock gulley will provide adventure and varied habitats for the mixed broadleaf forest, while the Magellanic Forest will be formed on gently undulating, exposed, rocky ground representing the extreme conditions of the most Southern forests. The main narrative of the landscape would be education of biodiversity and ecosystems, effects on plant evolution, adaptation and resilience of Chilean flora to climate change.

17 acres