Throughout the May half-term, the Botanical Gardens are being transported back through time to prehistory, as dinosaurs stalk the grounds for Jurrassic Gardens! This exciting family event is only availible over half term. However, you do not need time travel to see some ancient plants. Resiliant as they are, some species of plants have managed to adapt and survive over 95 million years, and they are growing strong today. You may even have some in your own garden!

Here at the Gardens we want to celebrate this increadible feat of nature each year, with a special trail that can be booked with your visit to the Gardens that celebrates ancient plants. This year, the trails focus is on the leaves of said plants. This self guided trail will take you on a journey all across the Gardens glasshouses and grounds, allowing you to see some of this amazing greenery growing proudly to this day.

One of these distinct and outstanding trees can be found in our Subtropical House. Often mistaken for Palm trees, these trees grow cones like a pine tree, only much bigger.

The cycad has a long history, indeed fossils for types of Cycad have been dated as far back as the Permian period, that is up to 280 million years ago. In fact, cycads were so common in prehistoric times, some people call the Jurrassic the “Age of Cycads”. We have found fossils of these plants on every continant in the world, and that includes places you might not expect like Antarctica. However, modern cycads have only been around for a little less time, with a study in 2011 stating that the current type of cycad having deviated enough its historical form around 12 million years ago. Adaptation is often nessisary for the species to survive and the Cycad is testiment to this.

The beautiful magnolia dates back as far as the Cretaceous period. This means that they would have been around at the same time as the fearsome Tyrannosaurus. In fact, the magnolia predates many modern pollinators such as the bee, so in ancient times would have relied on beetles to reproduce. This is why the Magnolia flower is so tough, to protect itself from the mandibles of the beetles.

Whilst they once grew all around Europe and Asia, today they are found in the wild only in the southern areas of the USA and China. However, probably due to the beauty of the flower and its distinctive scent, Magnolias are popular in gardens all around the world including the Botanical Gardens.

The fern may be the most resiliant of all the trees mentioned here. Fossil records show them being around as far back as the Carboniferous Period, which started 358.9 million years ago. Similar to the Cycad however, the modern fern probably evolved relatively closer to the modern age, around 70 million years ago.Ferns are iconic in the distinctive way they grow, unfurling as they grow bigger.

Pictured above is a tree fern in the Botanical Gardens. Despite the name, tree ferns are in fact not trees, their “trunks” are instead made up of packed roots and rhizomes. Enjoying both sun and damp conditoins, the tree fern is perfect for growing in Britain.

It all goes to show that life finds a way. These are just some of the plants covered on the Prehistoric Plant Trail, availible to purchase online alongside any tickets to the Gardens this half term. A perfect addition to your families visit to the Gardens. You can find out more about the trail by clicking here.