GLENWHAN GARDENS
THE DRY AREAS
Rhododendrons were grown from the earliest times, in a bed near to the
house and when the drier areas were prepared, they were mixed with slow
growing conifers in vibrant forms and together with Pittosporums,
Olearias and Hollies, gave the first shape to the garden. Today,
Rhododendrons play a large part in Tessa's interest in gardening, for
she is a member of the RHS Rhododendron Society. Her enthusiasm is
infectious, (she admits to being a plantaholic) and she is increasing
the range of species to compliment the wide array of cultivars which
give so much pleasure from early Spring to late June. It is amazing to
see the large leaved species such as Rhododendron macabeanum,
sino-grande and hodgsonii growing so well. But it is equally exciting to
see dwarf species also growing so happily here. The fine plum coloured
form of R. campylogynum flowers profusely each year and the grey foliage
of R. lepidostylum is valuable throughout the year but does present its
yellow flowers in June.
The trees which dominate the skyline are Eucalypts from the early planting. Eucalyptus pauciflora and E. niphophylla with their snowy barks; E. dalrympliana with its patchy bark and E. coccifera from Tasmania with attractive bluish coloured leaves. Many trees were planted for their hardiness but also for their fast rate of growth. The evergreen Nothofagus dombeyi from Chile is also a fast growing tree, shelter to the understory of mixed shrubs. Fourteen rowans were planted at the outset and have done well.
The Scottish endemic - Sorbus
arranensis with its grey foliage, grows above a stream in a similar
situation to its native habitat on Arran. But of the thirty and more
rowans which Tessa enjoys most are S. 'Ethel's Gold' with its yellow
berries and named after Harold Hillier's mother; S. vilmorinii for its
abundance of berries becoming silvery with age; S. insignis whose
berries last until the Spring and the dwarf species S. reducta in its
two forms for its stunning Autumn colour and abundance of silvery red
berries.
But wherever you walk , there are fine plants at every turn. The unusual
golden form of Cedrus deodara is a rare plant growing prominently beside
the path near to Pinus radiata, the tallest tree in the garden at 15m;
the spectacular Ilex perado subspecies platyphylla with 12cm long oval
leaves and flourishing here as in its native Canary Islands; nearby
grows the spectacular Embothrium coccineum, a dominant tree of 10m
growing beside the waterfall with Rhododendron cinnabarinum
blandfordianum - an interesting combination - but it was a rare
pendulous form of E. coccineum which stopped me in my tracks in July,
its fiery red flowers festooning the branches.
In early July the
brilliant white explosion of flowers on Hoheria 'Glory of Amlych' is a
delight and because it flowers so well, it has been propagated and
planted in various parts of the garden to great effect. The added joy of
this garden is to explore the tiny paths and secluded areas near the
house. Suddenly a splendid form of Abies koreana with almost a thousand
cones comes into view, and then walking further on to find Brewer's
weeping spruce and the hardy Chusan Palm - Trachycarpus fortunei both
about 4m tall. It is a garden full of surprises. ~ Bob Mitchell. Former Curator, St Andrew's Botanic Garden.
Glenwhan Gardens, Dunragit, nr Stranraer, Wigtownshire, (DG9 8PH) are
open from March until October daily, 10.00am - 17.30pm. Visitors are
most welcome, but large parties are advised to book well in advance!
(Telephone: 01581 400222) Our licensed Tearoom is open and ready to
serve you a delicious range of hot and cold meals, snacks, drinks -
alchoholic and non-alchoholic, and seasonal produce. We hope you gain as
much enjoyment from visiting Glenwhan Gardens as we had creating them!
Back to the creating of the Wet Areas, click here