Since 2008, IBG has planted an extensive bed and numerous pots of non-hardy succulents and cacti where the old sheep wagon used to be. The concrete foundation, which once supported the Old Pen’s poultry barn, is now transformed into a large and colorful garden of aloe, echeveria, sedum, agave, and other interesting plants. While this succulent garden is seasonal, as with other annual plantings, it differs every year, giving visitors yet another area to look forward to come summer.

We also display the 13 alpine troughs donated by Francesca di Csipkay in 1997 in this area. During 1920s England, the use of stone sinks or ‘troughs’ became popular as containers for alpine plant collections. This tradition continues to this day, with troughs that are now made from a mix of perlite, peat moss, and cement, referred to as ‘hypertufa’. They provide both an interesting display and educational venue for teaching hypertufa trough construction and alpine plant culture at IBG.