Hanging basket Hoisin safely in the water

18:22 16th June 2010

A mother duck who made her nest in a hanging basket at a popular garden and greenhouse attraction has successfully led her brood to water.

Hoisin, as she was named by staff at the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Garden Wisley, had chosen a nest that was eight feet above the ground.

This had led workers at the site to fear for the safety of her ducklings, so they erected a table full of dense foliage below the nest to cushion the fall.

They had planned to keep a watch on the family of birds and escort them to the lake when they were ready, but Hoisin managed to get her brood to the water all by herself by leaving early in the morning.

Prior to this, she had come and gone as she pleased, even flying home in front of 120 guests at a book signing.

Garden Wisley Plant Centre manager Nigel Eaton said that it was the strangest place he had ever seen a duck nest.

Meanwhile, the RHS is playing a major role in the BBC Gardeners' World Live show, which begins today (June 16th) in Birmingham.