Walk 34 Ventnor Botanic Gardens

With this slow start to summer I have not really got into long rambles but at least managed a wander round Ventnor Botanic Gardens last week. The gardens cover about 22 acres of land so a good walk around must account for a couple of miles. The Botanic Gardens are now in private hands so entrance fees apply. A restaurant and café, gift shop and plant sales area are also on offer.

On this site once stood the Royal National Hospital for Diseases of the Chest, founded by Queen Victoria's physician, Dr Arthur Hill. With tuberculosis controlled by the coming of antibiotics, the hospital was demolished in 1969, but tales of ghosts haunting the site continue to this day.

The gardens are divided into sections of plantings from different parts of the world and on entering from the car park we come first to the South African terrace and herb gardens.

 Unfortunately there is still much work to be done as regards labelling of plants so my notes are restricted to my own limited knowledge. I think this large shrub is some kind of aster.

We come next to a small cascade surrounded by Zantedeschia or calla lilies, which enjoy damp shady conditions.

This area was generously planted with Osteospermum also known as Cape Daisies. Usually described as half-hardy they thrive in the hot dry microclimate of the Ventnor Undercliff which rarely sees frost and they flower here almost throughout the year.

Next is the Australian Garden with its Eucalyptus, Bottle Brushes and Tea Trees.

In the centre of the gardens is the Palm Garden, one of the few areas to survive from the hospital. The centrepiece is a group of Chusan Palms, or Trachycarpus fortunei which were presented to Queen Victoria, the oldest palms in the country and tough enough to survive even the Great Storm of 1987. The sub-tropical style is enhanced with rings of agapanthus.

Adjacent is the New Zealand Garden, an open lawn backed by dense shrubs, including Hebe, Olearia and Phormium, which grow well because of the humidity from frequent sea-mists. In summer, the garden is transformed into an outdoor theatre for Shakespearean performances.

The Mediterranean Garden is the hottest part of the garden, a dry, rocky landscape planted with cistus, and aromatic herbs. Here too can be found an amazing collection of tall, triffid-like, spiky Echium pininana, native to the Canaries, but growing in abundance here in the mild, dry environment.

Seen up close the tall, hairy spikes are covered with tiny purple/blue flowers.

In the centre is the café and a fish pond, home to koi carp and a rare giant Amazonian water-lily.

Around the terrace are these purple allium globes, part of the onion/garlic family.

Towards the coastal path, ornamental lawns dotted with rare species of trees stretch uphill.
In the middle can be seen a tunnel behind a grill, usually closed. Its story is told on a sign; tramlines in the tunnel were used to transport rubbish from the hospital to be dumped in the sea. Occasionally open for tours, the tunnel leads out onto a small ledge in the middle of the cliff.

Alongside the lawns runs a mixed border; today irises caught my eye.

Heading back through the South African Terrace, this Carpobrotus edulis cascades down the rocky slope; also known as Hottentot Fig the yellow flower is less common but pink succulants can be seen streaming down the cliffs all over Ventnor.

Another frost-tender succulent that grows well in the area is this Lampranthus, covered in pink daisy like flowers.

Clumps of chives were in full flower in the herb garden.

The path leads back up to the entrance and car park, where more daisies made a splash of colour.

Bus 6 from Ventnor and Newport
Refreshments and WC in the garden cafe/shop area

Seaview Wildlife Encounter

Not really a walk, just a wander round Seaiew Wildlife Encounter with a camera. Bus 8 drops off at the end of Oakhill Rd; passing a picturesque Water Tower we come to one of island chainsaw artist Paul Sivell's Green Man carvings.

Seaview Wildlife Encounter was once known as Flamingo World and still is home to dozens of these flamboyant creatures, varying in colour from deep coral to palest pink.

One thing  l learned was that flamingoes don't actually stand on one leg at all;  what appears to be a knee bent backwards is in fact the ankle and heel, as its knee is much further up, hidden underneath its feathers. So the whole length from the ankle to the toes is actually a giant foot.  So half the flamingo’s legs are actually its feet, and it stands on tiptoes!

There are two Pink-backed Pelicans, which originate from Arabia, Madagascar and Africa.

Numerous ducks and geese follow you around hoping for a feed.

There were several peacocks, one of which permanently displayed his fine tail.

This was the first time I had seen a Laughing Kookaburra, surprisingly large and happy to chat to anyone who clucked at him.

Just about the only duck species I can recognise is this colourful Mandarin Duck.

I do like this shot of a flamingo hiding his head in his feathers. Apparently this is their sleep position so perhaps he is just about to doze off!

Two colourful parrots share a cage.

Just a handful of meerkats but still adorable.

The park is home to a mob of Bennett's Wallabies like this dozy albino. Visitors can go walkabout in their enclosure; they are very friendly and love to be stroked as this little one found out.

This is one a number of albinos in the park, though they are rare in the wild.

Members of the camel family, young alpacas like this one are called 'crias'.

Three otters scamper about an enclosure supplied with lake and otterhouse.

It was near feeding time and the otters huddled around the gate waiting for their food and miaowing....like this.

They were dry when I arrived but soon gave in to the temptation for a dip!

Penguins never fail to amuse and these Humboldt penguins were cute.

Enjoying the sun....

Off for a dip...clearly a group decision.