The view from the terrace is dominated by two fine specimens of the Himalayan cedar planted near the fountain. Distinguished by their fresh green needles on descending branches the seeds of these trees were given to the gardens in the 1840’s by James Watt the younger, then resident at Aston Hall, the son of James Watt the engineer who developed the steam power that drove the industrial revolution.

Described in the Gardeners’ Chronicle of 1885 as “this very noble fern which appears to be of hybrid origin, was raised by Mr W. B. Latham, Curator at Birmingham, after whom we have named it”. It is a hybrid between the familiar Dicksonia antarctica found in many gardens and the rare and difficult to cultivate Dicksonia arborescens from the Island of St. Helena. The original plant is unique as far as we know and still grows in our Palm House more than 100 years after the chance hybrid occurred.

Be sure to look up in the Lily House to catch sight of this plant! You’ll find the Dutchman’s Pipe vine cascading along the glasshouse beams, adorning the infrastructure with its distinctive appearance.

This eye-catching climber is known for its unusual, curved flowers that resemble tiny, old-fashioned smoking pipes. These greenish-yellow flowers, adorned with dark purple or brown patterns, stand out against the plant’s large, vibrant green, heart-shaped leaves. As the vine climbs and spreads, the dense foliage creates a lush, leafy curtain, adding a unique charm to the Lily House.

Britain is a nation of tea lovers, but have you ever seen the tea plant in real life? Meet Camellia sinensis, a plant with a rich history spanning thousands of years and many cultures worldwide. This versatile plant is not only the source of our beloved beverages but is also used in beauty products, Chinese medicine, and various cultural traditions.

Visit our Palm House to see Camellia sinensis up close. If you take sugar with your tea, don’t miss the sugar canes growing nearby!

Our gardens are home to two stunning Davidia involucrata trees, also known as the Handkerchief Tree. The tree on Wilson Walk is a real spectacle, especially when it blooms in late May and early June. This tree is best known for its large, white, petal-like bracts that surround a purplish-red flower head. The Latin name “involucrata” means “with a ring of bracts surrounding several flowers.”

On breezy days, these bracts flutter in the wind like waving handkerchiefs, giving the tree its charming common name. Be sure to visit and experience the enchanting display of the Handkerchief Tree in full bloom.

The remarkable Wollemia nobilis, a tree once thought extinct for over 2 million years. In 1994, a small population of this “living fossil” was found in a remote canyon north of Sydney, Australia, a discovery that amazed the botanical world. Named after Wollemi National Park, where it was found, fewer than 100 of these trees exist in the wild today. The wollemi pine is classified as critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

Now available commercially, proceeds from the sale of Wollemia nobilis help safeguard its wild populations. To commemorate our 175th anniversary in 2007, we planted a specimen on the West Lawn, a testament to the enduring legacy of this ancient species.

Explore our gardens to see other fascinating fossil trees, including the dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba), each with their own unique stories of survival and resilience.

The Nettlefold Alpine Garden is one of the most historically significant areas of our gardens, commemorating Hugh Nettlefold’s service to society and preserving an essential part of our heritage and the city’s history.

Constructed in 1894-95 by Messrs Backhouse and Sons of York, the leading rock garden builders of the late Victorian period, this garden spans half an acre and contains 250 tonnes of millstone grit from Yorkshire, a significant investment of £650 at the time. Renowned as nurserymen, Backhouse and Sons likely supplied many of the plants that grace the garden.

Rock gardens were immensely popular in this era, and Backhouse and Sons constructed them across the country. Today, few of these gardens survive, and even fewer are restored and open to the public.

Originally designed to showcase choice alpine plants from abroad, the Nettlefold Alpine Garden remains a vibrant and living testament to the era of plant exploration. Visit this beautifully preserved site and experience the legacy of Victorian horticulture.

In the Spring, you will also find the mesmerising Magnolia trees in bloom!

The Wisteria along the wall by the Alan King Alpine Garden is reportedly as old as the gardens.

The Alan King Alpine Garden (AKAG) is a recently introduced to the Gardens and was generously funded by the Alan King family.

The area was previously an Alpine ‘yard’ and before that a Rosary. The Rosary was removed in the mid 1900’s and you’ll now find it at bottom of the main lawn.

The AKAG is still in development, and is dedicated to the conservation of UK native alpine plants, particularly in the Alpine Meadow. Although the garden itself is new, it shares a border with the historic 1800s Wisteria planting on the original wall.

In collaboration with RSPB Haweswater, the AKAG aims to develop a sanctuary for alpine plant conservation. The garden features a diverse mix of alpine plants, including woody, herbaceous, and bulb species. The Hartley Glass House, with its sand plunge, showcases a wide variety of plants such as alpines, bulbs, and Cyclamen, offering a continuously changing display throughout the year using plants from our nursery.

The Churcher Glass House is home to two tufa walls, currently under development, designed to cultivate modern and unusual alpine varieties. The layout and construction of the AKAG reflects the natural habitat of these plants, with a special focus on European flora.

Visit the Alan King Alpine Garden from spring – autumn to experience the garden at it’s best and explore the beauty and diversity of alpine plants.

The bonsai tree is a traditional Japanese art form of growing miniature trees, requiring meticulous care and often practiced as a form of mindfulness. The word “bonsai” comes from the Japanese word “bonzai,” meaning “planted in a container.”

The first bonsai trees are believed to have been created over 2,000 years ago by Chinese monks. These monks sought to live in harmony with nature, using pots to create miniature trees that mirrored the characteristics of their larger counterparts.

Since 1993, Birmingham Botanical Gardens has proudly housed multiple bonsai trees in partnership with the Friends of the National Bonsai Collection (FNBC). The FNBC helps maintain and care for this stunning collection. Be sure to visit during our Bonsai Open Days, where you can get a closer look at the trees and learn more about the fascinating art of bonsai from FNBC experts.