NESS Botanic Gardens is celebrating its 125th anniversary, as well as its 75th year as part of the University of Liverpool. 

In 1898 plantsman Arthur Kilpin Bulley founded the 64 acres of land, located in Little Neston.

Arthur had a passion for plants, in particular rare alpines and hardier plants. He was a socialist and ran as a women's suffrage candidate, but was also an astute businessman.

He lived in a brick house, called Mickwell Brow, located in the gardens, which you can still see today. You can also still see Arthur's rock garden and the building where he established his plant nursery.

In 1942 Arthur passed away and in 1948 his daughter, Lois Agnes Bulley, gifted the gardens to the University of Liverpool following her father's death. The Declaration of Trust between Lois and the University of Liverpool required that the University “maintain and keep Ness forever as a public park and flower garden.” An agreement that has been honoured to this day.

The university uses the gardens frequently for archeology and biological science, where they have their own space to work.

Nick Lightfoot, Garden & Collections Manager at Ness Botanic Gardens, said: "We have azaleas that are looked after in the gardens, which are named after local areas on the Wirral.

"Their botanical name is a rhododendron and so we have rhododendron Neston and rhododendron Pensby."

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Anniversary celebrations

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Ness Botanic Gardens are offering a programme of events throughout the year.

Events include free anniversary tours, which last one hour from 11am on the second and third Saturday of every month and a flower bed which will be filled with plants that link to Arthur and the gardens in some way.

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Arthur sponsored lots of plant collectors in the early 20th century, including George Forrest and Frank Kingdon-Ward, known as some of the very best plant hunters in the country.

The gardens are also hosting a flower show in August.

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Nick added: "It's a great place to work and there is lots of exciting projects in the pipeline.

"We're lucky to work here. It's a good day out, but also you can learn all about our history and heritage.

"It hopefully can inspire people as well."

Today, the commitment to maintain and develop the beauty of the Gardens remains, but there is an increasing emphasis on research, conservation and education of the public areas reflecting Arthur's original interests.