Tim explains the history and management problems of the habitat displays.
The limestone mound is probably the earliest ecological display of the British flora in any botanic garden

Established in the 1960s on spoil removed for path construction, the soil fertility is too high, and managment of perennial weeds is a problem

Small children running on the mound paths made the exhibit more of an adventure playground.
The problem of accession numbers on plants that tended to move around each year was discussed

The north side of the mound has become seriously overgrown

The recently reconstructed fen display is lined with butyl rubber and then lined with several inches of concrete to prevent both puncturing from tools, but also from the sharply pointed reed rhizomes. Fen peat was imported from Kingfisher's Bridge

The reed fencing provides a decorative safety feature

The board walk is supported on concrete walls with openings to allow water flow

Experiments on the fen orchid, Liparis loeselii, are conducted on site

Annual cornfield weeds