Chimes Tower District

The Chimes Tower District provides guests with a thrilling and varied garden experience, including a stunning, four-season hillside of rare, expertly edited plants; a historic bell tower anchored on a 50-foot waterfall; sweeping lawns carpeted in early spring bulbs, and a celebrated collection of award-winning trees—all within view of our majestic Main Fountain Garden.

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

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

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.

District Highlights

A large stone Chimes Tower covered in green vines pops up amid green trees behind a small pond

Small yellow flower bloom up in green grass in front of small purple flowers

Water flows out of the middle of a circular blue ledge in a pool of water

Looking straight up at a blooming, flowering, pink tree

Flowering pink and white trees are seen among green grass

What’s in Bloom

Hardy Begonia

Begonia grandis ′Alba′

Hardy begonia, is a shade-loving perennial native to China and Japan, valued for its ability to thrive in temperate gardens, unusual for a begonia. A member of the Begoniaceae family, ‘Alba’ features elegant, heart-shaped green leaves with striking red veining on the undersides and delicate clusters of nodding white flowers that bloom from midsummer into fall. The flowers are edible, with a slightly tangy, citrus-like flavor, making them a charming garnish for salads or desserts. Unlike most begonias, this variety dies back in winter and re-emerges from bulb-like tubers in spring, adding graceful texture and late-season interest to shaded gardens or woodland borders. It can be a bit assertive in the garden, spreading readily—so watch out if you want to keep it contained! Check out the straight species Begonia grandis, with light pink flowers growing in the Peony Garden, and Hillside Garden & Chimes Tower.
- Chimes Tower
Aromatic Aster

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ′October Skies′

Asters, Latin for stars, bring the growing season to a close in spectacular fashion. These native perennials come in a dazzling variety of shapes and colors, and are one of the last major food sources for bees and other pollinators before the advent of winter.
Panicle Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata 'Renhy' (Vanilla Strawberry™)
- Hillside Garden