Biddulph - Biddulph Grange Garden

Thanks to Elaine for the above photographs of Redwoods in Biddulph Grange Garden. Elaine says that there are " a group of 7 Sequoiadendron giganteum in the Pinetum and a further 44 in part of the garden called Wellingtonia Avenue (Long Walk) where they alternate with Cedrus deodara either side of an avenue. There are also 3 Sequoia sempervirens, one of which consists of 3 trunks which have grown from the base of a large one which has been cut down. " Elaine also sent a description of the garden: " The garden is one of Britain�s most exciting and unusual gardens with a series of connected �compartments� designed by James Bateman to display specimens from his world-wide plant collection. There are many unusual features, many of which are unique, including rockwork, a formal Italian terrace, Egyptian Court , tranquil Chinese garden and geological gallery. " The avenue of young Giant Redwood Sequoiadendron giganteum (alternated with Cedar Cedrus deodara ) is the first to be noted in Staffordshire on the Redwood World site. A visit was arranged in May 2010 with Head Gardener Peter Clarke. He had organised a tour with Derek Wheelhouse and gardener Robert Hudson who started to work in the garden in 1978. Derek is a fount of knowledge about the history of Biddulph and kindly sent the very interesting photographs below showing the progression of the Wellingtonias in the avenue at Biddulph. It is quite astonishing how such a tiny seed, no larger than an oat flake, can grow to be an immense tree weighing hundreds of tons.

Redwood species here