In 1946 the University purchased the estate of Plas Penglais. Within two years the house was extensively renovated and enlarged, while the wilderness around it was being tackled by the garden staff, who created the lovely garden, with lawns sweeping down to the little brook and beds of shrubby and perennial plants.

These beds became known as the Order Beds because each one was planted up with plants belonging to the same flowering family or natural order. On the other side of the brook, on the east side of Plas Penglais drive (across Penglais Road opposite the main campus entrance), a large wooden- framed glasshouse was erected, along with a single storey brick building which now constitutes our present potting- and storage-sheds.