The GreenHouse is an exciting new development of the former Temperate House at Ventnor Botanic Garden. It has been designed as an educational project to show how plant life regenerates around former mine workings. It features a waterfall, a giant lily and a stream.

Unfortunately, light levels have diminished through the years. Despite trying a range of plants, by 2000 a fresh start was needed. The building was completely cleared. An ambitious scheme, including a plunge pool and rill surrounded by exotic plants, was devised as an educational project to show how nature would re-establish itself in the landscape around a disused mine. Head Gardener Chris Kidd obtained materials to recycle to form the disused mine shaft and develop the area. The growth of plant material was outstanding. The Friends provided considerable funds to establish the pool with its pumps and the transformation was amazing.

Sadly, after a couple of seasons, the Dicksonias in particular succumbed to an infection and everything had to be cleared. Chris, determined not to be beaten, thought that he would like to try once again to grow the largest water lily - Victoria amazonica - having already been entered in the Guinness Book of Records for growing the largest one recorded at the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew. Once again the Friends gave funds to help purchase the pool for this purpose and although not yet reaching the enormous size required, the leaves can support the weight of a small child - as recorded in July this year - and has produced a number of heavenly scented flowers.