On entering the garden via the driveway, the Koi pool can be seen over the waterfall. The pool is surrounded by various Chusan palms, Trachycarpus Fortunei and Chamaerops Humilis. In the rock face itself, at one end of the pool, Abelia Floribunda shows off its long narrow cerise bells in due season and Erigeron Mucronatus flowers throughout the year. From the lawn a path flanked by a bank of rhododendrons on both sides leads to the terrace passing Rh. Countess of Haddington which never fails to flower each year covering itself with white-flushed pink scented trumpets.

A dozen Citrus trees in vases give a clue to the warmth of the terrace where also to be found are Lagestroemia Indica in several forms -Punica Granatum the small pomegranate three with vermillion flowers - Wistiria Sinensis and several interesting palm trees including a large specimen of Butia Capitata a fern leafed palm from South Brazil and Uruguay. The first of the many Phoenix Canariensis and further examples of Butia species planted amid the azaleas (flowering from February to late June), give a sub-tropical feel to this area adjacent to the house. One example of Butia Yatay, given as a present to mark the birth of Ottavia, one of the Dudley-Cooke's daughters, and brought from Italy has now outgrown her and came through the cold winter of 1987 unscathed despite scorching to some of the leaves of Trachycarpus Fortunei generally considered a much hardier palm.

Myrtus Luma (now named Luma Apiculata) flowers throughout the garden covering each tree or bush with a myriad of white flowers in July through to November contrasting with the small dark green leaves and the wonderful cinnamon coloured bark on the mature trees. Leaving the upper garden, a small stream is glimpsed through the banks of Satsuki Azaleas flowering in may and Jun with their bicoloured flowers, no two flowers ever seeming the same on a bush. The path to the left leads to a small woodland where the source of the stream coming from a small grotto is found. Here are banks of Camellias, a fine specimen of Rh. Yakushimanum abutting a large granite stepping stone. The large leaves of Rh.Macabeanum contrast well with the delicate leaves of Acer Senkaki and the dark green leaves of Rh Arboreum 'Sir Charles Lemon' with white flowers.

Once over the bridge the path leads down steps to the Cupola where the visitor can look over the lower garden to the sea. Planted close-by are three Olea Europaea in close proximity to a group of Yucca Elephantipes, the three-growing Yucca. The woodland walk, dominated by a large group of Dicksonia Antartica the Australian tree fern. Here too amid rhododendrons and azaleas, Embothrium flourishes Past a small grotto the garden is laid out in Japanese style, underpalnted with many rare varieties of evergreen azaleas and protected at one end by a large grouping of palms. The acers too show off their delicacy of leaf and shape, the varieties of Acer Palmatum Dissectum, 'Viridis' and Atropurpeum to the fore. Close by the scented evergreen Azalea Mucronatum 'Bulstrode' white with a speckled maroon centre delights both in flower and perfume in due season.


Proceeding down the garden through the steps over which stand sentry two large neo-classical urns, we come to Flavia's pond overhung by a large Acacia Dealbata


Taking the path to the upper succulent bank we pass over the stream feeding Flavia's pond, and pass under the Cupola. The stream here is overhung by Podocarpus Salignus resembling a weeping willow more than a conifer and Eucalyptus Nicholii a dainty leafed eucalyptus with white flowers. Agaves and Aloes in variety also thrive here with the silver leafed form of the palm Chamaerops Humilis 'Cerifera' having been located and brought to the garden from Menorca. Turning down the garden after the upper succulent bank. Tere are exclusive plantings of Callistemmon , Sophora, and other Australasian plants. The pathways continuously divide giving a choice of routes down the garden. To the right a statue of the Rose Lady over which two musical cherubs stand sentry looks down a flight of steps to the archway opening onto the lower garden. The steps are flanked by Rhododendrons and camellias and in early spring the heady scent of Skimmia Japonica Fragrans fills the area. Taking the path to the left leads past tree ferns and another good evergreen of similar habit to the Skimmias, Rhaphiolepis Indica and Delacourii with their small pink and white flowers respectively.


Continuing along the pathway we come to one of the most spectacular views in the garden, through the archway over the lower garden and sea to St Anthony's Head. The flight of steps through the archway, the only straight line in the garden, finishes at the Cyperus pool. Massed plantings of Osteospermum edge the steps as elsewhere in the garden with palms standing as sentinels down the flight of steps.

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To the right of the archway Casaurina Exquisetifolia has now established itself. Cistus, in great variety, are to be found in this part of the garden. Cistus Salvifolius makes a splendid free flowing low mound. Slightly larger is Cistus Obtusifolia and larger still Cistus Monspelensis make dense ground colour. A Particular favourite of the garden is Cistus Albidus with its pale lilac colouring. A curving pathway, under a rustic arch, flanked by tall growing bamboos of the Phyllostachys species leads to the bottom dell. Dicksonia Antartica dominate this area with its dry stream bed where slowly plantings of agapanthus are taking hold.

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Retracting our steps, and taking the central pathway from the Cyperus Pond, we pass the succulent bank through which runs a small stream over large cobbled stones. Its source a small stone grotto over which a statue stands sentinel. Here are large agaves and aloes principally Agave Americana and Celsii. Aloe Stricta flowers in early summer with its yellow red hot poker type flower preceded by Aloe Arborescens with orange flowers. Puya Chilensis and Puya Alpestris colonise the left bank of the stream. The stream is crossed by a small Venetian styled bridge from which the visitor has an uninterrupted view out to sea leaning over the balustrade.

Massed plantings of orange gazanias, particularly Gazania Rigens swarm over the rock face together with Arctotis 'Apricot' a most unusual coloured flower. A tree-lined path leads gently upwards under an archway of Viburnum , Fuchsia Splendens here enjoys its shady setting with its long pinnacles of Chinese red. In July and August the evergreen Hoheria Populnea covers itself with white flowers. Banksii Marginata is the easiest banksias to flower here although many, as yet young plants, of banksias are to be found in the garden. Proteas, of which Protea Cynaroides has flowered in the garden, have their home on a dry gravely bank with other Australian and South African plants. Wagner's Ring derives its name from a circle of palms of the small leafed tighter growing Trachycarpus Wagneranius which are slowly forming themselves into pillars. From the circle, the visitor is invited to sit down and look across the bay before continuing the upward climb back though the garden.