National Botanic Garden of Wales

Head Gardener's Comment

The Great Glasshouse – poised in the landscape like a giant raindrop - is home to some of the most endangered plants on the planet from six Mediterranean climate regions – Western Australia, Chile, the Canaries, California, southern Africa, and the Mediterranean basin. It helps protect and conserve what is considered to be the best collection of its kind in the world. For those with more exotic tastes, the Tropical House – which opened in the summer of 2007 – is bursting with palms and pineapples, coconuts cardamom and scores of orchids.

There is a unique and historic double-walled garden; lakes, ponds and walks; a theatre; licensed restaurant; shop; gallery; bog garden and bee garden; Physicians of Myddfai Exhibition and Apothecaries’ Garden; children’s play area,discovery centre and much more.

History

The Garden lies on land that was once a magnificent Regency water park and many of the original features have been restored. Many new features have been created and care has been taken that these not only harmonise with the historic landscape but add a sense of awe.

Plants of Note

A plethora of plants will be found throughout this magnificent Garden.

The Grevillea macutcheoni plant can be seen in the Great Glasshouse. It was discovered by a farmer about 10 years ago on a spoil heap at a property in Perth. He did not recognise the plant and sent a sample to King's Park & Botanic Garden in Perth for identification. Cuttings were distributed to Botanic Gardens throughout the world and have not been seen outside a protected environment since.