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

  • Small, rounded, mophead flowers are borne in a profusion of soft shades of pale-lavender, blue or pink. As the season progresses, the colors of the flowers intensify to rich rose, royal purple, and shades of burgundy.

    Hydrangea

    Hydrangea 'Preziosa'
  • Giant-hyssop

    Agastache ′Blue Fortune′

    Agastache is a genus of about 20 species, native to eastern Asia and North America, and grows in dry woodland and prairies, old fields, dry scrub and hills. ‘Blue Fortune’ is a hybrid cross between Agastache rugosa and Agastache foeniculum. It grows up to 36 inches tall and spreads up to 24 inches wide and produces a mass of soft purple, upright tubular flowers in spikes to five inches long from June to October, attracting a plethora of pollinators.  Giant-hyssop prefers full sun and grows well in average to dry soil conditions.

  • Wild Bergamot

    Monarda fistulosa

    This native plant, like its garden counterpart, bee-balm (Monarda didyma), has tubular shaped fragrant flowers, ranging from pinkish purple to pale lilac, that are a favorite of hummingbirds and bees as well as a wide variety of butterflies. It is also grown for its showy flowers and for mint tea made from its aromatic leaves. It grow 2-4 feet tall in full sun or part shade and well-drained soils. In winter, the round, honeycomb heads of bergamot pods are one of the longest lasting seedpods in the Meadow.

  • Small, orange puffs in groups of three on long, thin stem

    Tassel-flower

    Emilia coccinea