Seeds sown for abundant future

Work on the Island's first botanical garden is progressing well - but it could be decades before the area is fully mature.

The Mallards is the brainchild of multimillionaire South African businessman and philanthropist Mark Shuttleworth, who is aiming to create a site of international importance.

He's funding the 200 acre garden in Santon himself, with the project overseen by former head gardener at Balmoral Andrew Inglis.

It will include a Japanese garden, water cascade, boglands, wetlands, a lake, a Manx glen and an orchard.

Heavy works are due to continue for another three years, with the garden taking up to 50 years to be fully established.

The Mallards will be open to the public by invitation, for interested parties and on set occasions each year.

Gardener Jim Callister says it's an amazing scheme: