Orchid tunnel at heart of aquarium's urban jungle

A spectacular tunnel of orchids is the latest horticultural attraction at Bristol Aquarium.

In addition to its aquatic residents, the Harbourside attraction is also home to dozens of exotic plants, flowers and trees from around the world - all housed within a giant glasshouse.

The new tunnel of moth orchids has been put up alongside the aquarium's giant waterfall, allowing visitors to walk amongst the beautiful flowers en route to the open-top Amazon river display.

Bristol Aquarium's David Waines said: "We're extremely fortunate to have the expertise of the highly-experienced horticulturist Wendy Desyllas who has been hard at work transforming the glasshouse in to our version of an urban jungle.

"As well as the new orchid tunnel, Wendy had designed a 'Jurassic Corner' based around our collection of tree ferns which are one of the planet's oldest plants dating back to the time of the dinosaurs.

"During the summer the botanical displays really come in to their own and we have an amazing display of flowering bougainvillea, Spanish flags, papaya plants and the Madagascan jasmine.

"The giant brugmansia plants are coming in to flower again, and always give us a great display with their spectacular white trumpet flowers, and if you look out you will spot our exciting lobster claw flower which is flowering for the first time at the moment," he added.

Among the other horticultural highlights are the giant bamboos which have just been introduced and grow at an extraordinary rate of up to 20 centimetres a day and the aquarium's own crop of chillis and tamarillos.

As part of the ongoing development of the botanic house there are also plans to introduce a mini beast safari for younger visitors which will including a wormery and a spotters guide to take home.