We've just come back from a wonderful trip to Scotland, and whilst my head is spinning with memories of lochs, glens, highland cows, puffins, castles, graves of ancestors and millenia of history, the gardens and plants I saw take a special precedence at the moment. It wasn't meant to be a 'garden tour', as such, but I was lucky enough to see nine gardens as well as observe many home gardens from the street, plus drive many, many kilometres through countryside that was often like a garden in itself. In no particular order, I will reflect on some of the interesting aspects I can remember from what I saw.
The standout memory is of exquisite, sumptuous perennials flourishing to perfection - the sort of thing I yearned to grow when I first became a gardener more than 40 years ago, when I believed that anything could be grown as long as one set one's mind to it. The billowing perennials that filled the pages of the English gardening books I consumed greedily were to me the pinnacle of the plant world. Very few of them ever did any good in my Sydney garden; those that did sort of survive looked nothing like the hearty specimens grown in the right climate. During my trip to Scotland, I saw species Geranium a metre tall and a metre across, and clumps of Hosta not much smaller. As an older, wiser gardener these days, I was able to simply admire and enjoy the plants rather than weep because I cannot grow them. I still think that cold-climate flowering perennials, especially those with spires of blooms, are the most beautiful plants in the world - maybe it's in my DNA because of my Scottish heritage!
I noticed lovely combinations of perennials in the gardens I saw. Colour schemes such as brilliant blue flowers with yellow and chartreuse blooms or leaves frequently caught my eye. It must have been peak season for Alchemilla mollis, as its froth of dainty lime-green blooms seemed to grow in every garden, and looked good with every other colour! Dark burgundy flowers or foliage with blue blooms was another pairing I enjoyed in some of the gardens. Even if we can't grow the plants used in Scotland for these effects, we can find substitutes of the same hues amongst plants we can succeed with here.
Stunning cold-climate shrubs were next on the list of drool-worthy sights during the trip. Again, I had tried many of these in my early gardening days, only to meet with failure because the poor plants were so out of their comfort zone. To see them growing properly and happily was a sheer delight: the deep blue flowers of Ceanothus, the large, pristine bracts of the dogwood (Cornus species), the most unusual crimson lanterns of Crinodendron hookerianum, the lacy pink blooms of a dark-leaved Sambucus species, and the sculptured, white flowers of Eucryphia. Again, I just took pleasure in seeing these shrubs in real life, thriving.
Walled gardens seem very common in Scotland, particularly in the north, as the walls provide protection from the cold winds that are so prevalent in this region. The walls are generally built of local stone, and are very attractive, giving superb structure to the gardens. These intensively planted walled gardens are like floral sanctuaries, sheltered from the elements, and a contrast to the flat green fields that usually surround them. Fat bumblebees potter amidst the blooms and birds sing - being in one felt like being in a secret garden and I wished I could have a walled garden!
Front gardens across the road from houses was a phenomenon I observed in several places we visited, firstly on the historic and charming island of Iona, just off the Isle of Mull, then in the picturesque village of Plockton on the west coast of Scotland. The front doors of the terrace houses along the main road in these places open directly onto the footpath. Across the road, opposite the house, are their small gardens, each divided from each other by a fence. Somehow this separation gave the front gardens a totally different identity than a small front garden attached to a house. It was a genuinely usable area rather than something just to be passed through on the way into the house, and could be made more private from the eyes of passersby if desired, by the judicious placement of shrubs on the boundary. They were clearly much used by the owners: true garden rooms for sitting, entertaining and playing. Because of the geographic location of the gardens I saw, they also had the bonus of stunning water views!
Wildflowers in the fields were everywhere in the countryside in Scotland. Instead of the Lantana and other horrors that grow beside the roads here, there were foxgloves, Queen Anne's lace, poppies, buttercups, Silene, daisies and what looked like a sort of honesty growing in profusion - no doubt regarded as weeds by the farmers! However, to me they were a romantic vision, all part of the wonderful dream that comprised my trip to Scotland! More memories to follow next week.
Lovely Deirdre - looks like you had a wonderful trip! Thanks, Janna -- a long time in the planning but we finally got there! Deirdre
Maybe its my Scottish ( Stewart) & English heritage too that makes me think British gardens are little bits of Heaven on Earth too. Havent been to Scotland but have seen many UK & French gardens. And what is it that here in Australia were obsessed with filling our yards with lawn, hedges pools, fire pits & hardscapes with an occasional Magnolia Teddy? Australia definitely lacks the imagination & variety of European gardens. Yes there is a different heritage but a different lifestyle too. The Scottish growing season is also so relatively short compared to here! Deirdre
I was brought up in NZ and when i went to Scotland I noticed that some of the prominent introduced weeds in NZ (gorse, briars, broom etc) looked very attractive in their native wild setting in the Scottish countryside. In response to Kerrie's comment above: I agree! So often modern gardening 'concepts' promoted in Australia involve fewer plants and more ugly hardscape. Luckily we have some keen gardeners to produce some lovely gardens here though! Deirdre
Thank you, Deirdre, for your report on your trip to Scotland. Lots to interest. I saw a few gardens and plenty of 'wild' interesting areas on my trip there, many years ago. Thanks, Margaret. I hope my memories will stay with me for a long time to come! Deirdre
Lovely to hear about your trip, Deirdre. Sounds delightful, and as usual your prose just adds to the pleasure of reading your blog. Agree with Kerrie and Bren, a garden is for plants, greenery, softness and as a foil to the hard architecture of the built environment. No concrete 'conversation pits' or outdoor kitchens (WHY?) for me! Ha ha -- I personally wouldn't want to waste precious garden space on too many outdoor hard features. Deirdre
It is now 18 years since I was in Scotland and although I didnot see any gardens I still remember the majestic landscape. Loved Scotland. The landscapes were just so beautiful -- spacious, wild and green! Deirdre
Thankyou Deirdre, so many lovely memories for both of us!! janice 2069. Thanks so much, Janice. It is a beautiful country to visit. Deirdre
I think Mother Nature gives those cold countries such glorious flowers to console them for their very short growing season. Agreed! It is such a different gardening experience. I doubt I could survive the winters there with good cheer -- I find our winters dispiriting enough! My ancestors were from the far north! Deirdre
Welcome back and thank you for a peak into the lovely gardens and plants with your prose giving a taste of things on your trip. Do love those walled gardens -especially with that Crinodendron looking so gorgeous sprouting from the wall. Great memories for you and no doubt pics to enjoy. Hope there may be a little more to come? Thanks so much, Sue. More to follow this coming week! Deirdre
I love Margo's comment! Absolutely agree. A few years back we had a landscape design done and yes they wanted to build an outdoor kitchen. The first thing I thought of , is why would I want to do more cooking? and have to clean it up too! Needless to say we never built it. Your trip looks delightful Deirdre. I would love to go. So funny about the outdoor kitchen! Hope you can visit Scotland some day. It is a wonderful country. Deirdre
A lovely description of your trip Deirdre. I was also over that side of the world recently and was fortunate to visit a beautiful perennial garden. I felt I was in my 'happy place' wondering around there. However when returning home, I was also grateful for the many species of plants that we are able to grow here in our warmer climate. I am of the same mind as you! At least now in my more mature years I can appreciate and enjoy the cold-climate plants without feeling bitter and twisted about not being able to grow them here! Deirdre
Deirdre when I gave my talk at the club I hadnt read this blog. The way you describe Plockton is exactly how I remember it. You were lucky to visit 9 gardens. I travel with a none gardener and the number of gardens I visit is always less than I could wish for.! I enjoyed seeing all your photos in your talk. You have certainly seen a lot of UK gardens over the years! Deirdre
Tackling a corner
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Divide and conquer to get garden work done!
Salutation to clivias
25 Aug 24
Clivias herald spring to me!
Pretty in pink
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Pink seems to be the colour of the moment.
Multiplication by division
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This is a quick way to propagate plants.
On bare branches
04 Aug 24
A profusion of blooms on bare branches announces that spring is almost here.