In the middle of the nursery area
is a small, yew enclosed formal area - providing an element of formality in a generally informal garden. Designed in 1986, the planting
reflects various historic periods from Tudor times to the present day. A traditional box
knot, clipped topiary and medicinal herb garden complete the picture whose centrepiece is the serene statue entitled 'Lamp of Wisdom' by Nathan David.
The Wisteria arch with both purple and white cultivars is a spectacular place to sit at the end of May. Other plants of note in this area are Vitis purpurea, Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile', Chosiya ternata, Rosa gallica 'Officinalis' and Rosa mundi.