An innovative new visitor attraction, designed to celebrate our native wildflowers and champion efforts to conserve and restore threatened habitats in the UK, was opened on 17 July at Wakehurst Place by Keith Datchler OBE, a trustee of The Grasslands Trust and the High Weald Landscape Trust.
Ten giant flower sculptures by renowned sculptor Tom Hare now greet people as they visit the site – including a towering oxeye daisy and 3.5 metre tall red campion. The sculptures highlight some of the species being grown in 24 seed production beds.
Visitors can also see a newly restored meadow and an apiary with six hives highlighting the importance of bees in pollinating flowers; find out more about how experts at Wakehurst care for the rural landscape, including using a flock of Southdown sheep for grazing; and use an interactive display to find out about the project and its benefits to UK biodiversity. The seed theme continues with seats shaped like a seed husk and small seed play 'pods'.
Jo Wenham, Wakehurst's Plant Propagation and Conservation Manager, said: "This is an exciting project and a completely new landscape which celebrates the conservation work that goes on at Wakehurst.
"There will be something for all ages to enjoy and discover – visitors can follow the willow sculpture trail, see how our spring lambs are progressing and learn how sheep graze the pastures and wildflower meadows here; see the apiary and enjoy the beauty of the wildflowers."
Find out more about visiting Wakehurst Place.
Find out about wildflower meadows in the Weald and why it is important to protect them
Check our interactive map to find other places to visit near Wakehurst