Monument record 6811/5 - Menagerie Rockery, Flore House Park

The Rock Garden (later known as the Alpine Garden and Plantation) constructed in the late 19th century of Pulhamite stone.

{1}A fine rockery with most of the rocks actually buried beneath the ground so as to help the growing plants. Part of this specially constructed rockery remains near the churchyard. It is made of artificial stone called Pulhamite (cement on brick) and the brick is now showing through in places.

{3} Photographs of Pulhamite rocks from the menagerie rockery. They are about 30metres square in plan and 4 metres high. They disappear into a bank of soil towards the churchyard. Other examples are at Sandringham and Waddesden.

{4}The Rock Garden (later known as the Alpine Garden and Plantation). It would seem probable that the trees that now dominate the Alpine/Rock garden were originally parted to afford protection to tender plants although the trees were never mentioned in the gardener's chronicle.Most of the rocks are small moss covered but towards the western end where the sides of the mounds are steeper the supporting rocks are artificial Pulhamite. On the north side…this slab projects forward to form a small cave. In 1883 the Rock Garden contained many hardy orchids as well as rare and beautiful alpines.

<1> Smith J., 1999, Flore House Gardens, (checked) (Photographs). SNN108939.

<2> 1883, Gardener's Chronicle, p.330 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN58525.

<3> 1884, Gardener's Chronicle, p.587 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN54457.

<4> Smith, J., 1999, Flore House, Its People and Estate From 1610, (unchecked) (Extract). SNN40664.

Record last edited

Nov 20 2019 12:52PM