Chimes Tower District

Aerial view of large grassy area with a small pond and stone tower surrounded by a forest

About This District

Originally designed as an arresting backdrop for the Main Fountain Garden, the Chimes Tower District is now a series of standout gardens and water features that warrant more than just a passing glance. The Hillside Garden features an enviable roster of rare and unique plants, thriving harmoniously throughout the sun-dappled slopes. At the crest of the hill, Oak and Conifer Knoll boasts an array of celebrated tree specimens, with some planted during founder Pierre S. du Pont’s time. The Eye of Water, Pear-Shaped Basin, and Waterfall—all originally part of the gravity-fed pump and reservoir system that once serviced the Main Fountain Garden—are three unique, and interconnected destinations for your exploration.

Gardens in this District

  • Hillside Garden
    a walkway lined with green trees and shrubs

    Hillside Garden

    Dappled sun flirts with open vistas and shady, intimate perspectives as you wander the paths past beds brimming with a who’s who of rare and unique plants from around the world, set to the occasional tones of the historic Chimes Tower.

  • Oak and Conifer Knoll
    A path winds through a walkway of green trees and bushes

    Oak and Conifer Knoll

    Towering, century-old trees and sun-dappled vistas await in this living gallery of champion specimens with four seasons of stunning highlights. In the early spring, sweeps of colorful geophytes bloom to create a stunning tapestry.

What’s in Bloom

  • Purple Beautyberry

    Callicarpa dichotoma
  • Small red shrub.

    Swamp-haw

    Viburnum nudum 'Longwood' 

    Viburnum nudum ‘Longwood’ is an essential, multi-season shrub that brings beauty to the garden year-round! A cultivated variety of the native smooth witherod viburnum, this deciduous shrub features glossy green leaves, clusters of creamy white flowers in late spring, and vibrant berries that ripen from pink to deep blue in fall, often showing both colors at once for a striking two-tone effect. In autumn, the foliage turns rich shades of burgundy and purple, adding even more seasonal interest. ‘Longwood’ is prized for its compact, upright habit and excellent berry production, especially when planted near another Viburnum nudum variety for cross-pollination. It thrives in moist, acidic soils and full sun to part shade, and it's a fantastic choice for native plant gardens, pollinator habitats, or low-maintenance landscapes. Plus, it’s a hit with birds and bees alike!  

  • Hairy Toad-lily

    Tricyrtis hirta ′Miyazaki′