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Welcome to Glenwhan Gardens, 12 acres of beautiful gardens, lochs,
pathways and vistas. Open from March - September.
Visiting gardens is always an education and we should always come away
having increased our knowledge in some way. This is certainly the case
after visits to Glenwhan, for this is very much a garden of comparisons.
Comparisons of a garden created out of moorland and certainly comparing
the development of differrent habitats - one boggy ground, the other dry
rocky knolls. The transformation is quite amazing!
 Picture then a landscape of bracken and gorse, mixed through with large
rocky knolls and low lying boggy areas, where bog cotton, sundews,
sphagnum and heath spotted orchids grow in the deep peaty soil with a pH
of 4.5. It was hardly encouraging for farming, far less the development
of a garden. Yet, at 300', sloping to the south and with 40'' of rain but
little in the way of frost or snow, the uncompromising site has been
transformed.
From the bleak hillside, an oasis of peace and tranquility; a
garden of great beauty, variety and complexity, with stunning colour
throughout the year, has been made in just 20 years. It is complimented
with beautiful views over Luce Bay to the Mull of Galloway and the Isle of
Man, from the various rocky vantage points.
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Like so many of us, having holidayed here for many years, Tessa and
Bill Knott had fallen in love with this peaceful part of Scotland. In
1974, they bought a delapidated farmhouse and 103 acres of open hillside,
without seeing the property. Once the farmhouse was tenable in 1979,
twelve acres were fenced off and secured against cattle, rabbits and deer,
and the perimeter planting of pine, larch, rowan and oak commenced to
provide shelter, especially from the east wind. These trees are now being
thinned to provide shady planting areas.
The inspiration to develop the garden came initially from visits to Logan
Botanic Garden, some 15 miles to the southwest, where a vast range of
southern hemisphere plants thrive. This provided the challenge which Tessa
Knott needed. Without any formal training in horticulture and starting as
a complete amateur, support came in the form of Hollies from Lady Ann
Palmer; from Hugh McAllister with a large collection of Sorbus species;
from the Intenational Dendrology Society with Tasmanian seed and with the
supply of Eucalypts from Dick Law who holds the Eucalyptus collection for
the NCCPG nearby. Willows, which grow so quickly, thus providing almost
immediate shelter, came from Long Ashton Research Station.
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The Wet Areas
Willows are a feature round the two lochans which were made by excavating
and damning the boggy area. The lochans, replenished from a moorland
stream, are now planted with Water Lilies providing the focal point for
the centre of the garden and reflecting the views from the house. The
margin of the pond is clothed with plants to flower throughout the season.
Skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) provide early flower colour and is
followed by its bold architectural leaves to dominate the area in the
summer months. Even larger are the leaves of Gunnera manicata from Brazil,
planted as a massive group where one can walk beneath the canopy, as at
Logan Botanic Garden, and where shelter and refuge can be sought when it
rains.
Hostas, Irises, Phormium,Persicaria (Polygonum) campanulata and Ferns
provid a stunning display of leaf structure and flower from the pond edge.
But higher up the bank, broad plantings of Geranium pratense, G.
macrorrhizum, Kniphofia uvaria cultivars, Cortaderia selloana and
Crocosmia 'Lucifer' give dramatic flower colour in due season, while the
rim is softened by the lime green colour of Alchemilla mollis, here
growing in gay abandon, as it is wont to do, and its reflections certainly
lighten the still peaty waters. Nor are the native plants dismissed, for
the White Water Lily produces a considerable impact in one lochan and the
native Iris pseudacorus, Typha, and rushes, break up the pond edge and
grow into the shalllow water. Sea Buckthorn and Sallow grow on the
causeway and produce their interesting grey leaf effect. The lovely
mixture of native and exotic plants provide a very happy combination.
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The link to the moorland beyond, desolate,
bracken covered and the source of water, has been developed into a most
attractive stream and bog garden. Here in June, the Asiatic primulas vie
with native Orchids to produce a lovely tapestry of colour. Primula
pulverulenta and P. florindae seek the wet banks of the stream while P.
beesiana, P.bulleyana, P. sikkimensis and their plethora of hybrids give a
stunning display. Add to this the leaf displays from the large, blue-green
leaves of Hosta sieboldii, the palmate red tinged foliage of Rodgersia,
the scalloped edge on the round leaves of Darmera (Peltophyllum) peltata,
the dwarf variegated bamboo, Sasa veitchii, the architectural Veratrum and
such ferns as Struthiopterus and Onoclea sensibilis, the scene takes on
much more interest. Then to enhance the floral display, add the white
flowered Libetia grandiflora, a white flowered form of Iris kaempferi and
the dark purple-black flowers of Iris chrysographes 'Black Knight' here
planted in the water in association with the yellow Mimulus guttatus. The
graceful Carex pendula mimicked in its shape by Dierama adds texture and
interest, while foxgloves seed about, while the scent from the white
meadow sweet wafts in the breeze in high summer. The Fishtail Camellia (C.
japonica 'Kingyo Tsubaki') adds an evergreen permanency to the top end of
this valley.
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Another pond has been excavated and here native plants inhabit its
waters - Potamogeton, the marsh cinquefoil Potentilla anserina and Typha
are conspicuous. The wet margin is planted with Persicaria (Polygonum)
campanulata, striking reds and pink plumes of Astilbe, the dense yellow
spikes of Lysimachia punctata, Osmunda regalis, variegated hostas to
lighten the view and a host of primulas including the claret-coloured P.
poissonii and the rose-carmine candelabra P. beesiana.
Adjacent to this area is a relatively new developement, again utilising
another damp depression. Here in a shady glade with large leaved species
Rhododendrons to give impact, candelabra primulas have been given free
range and hybridise freely to produce a hauntingly beautiful scene in
June, displaying as a wide range of colours, as you will see.
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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.
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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.
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SEASONAL INTEREST
Whatever the season, there is a great variety of rare and first class
plants. Add to the array of colour and form the wind-borne scents of the
plants and flowers and the result is a delight for the senses. With our
close proximity to Luce Bay and Loch Ryan, the hues and colours of the sky
are also constantly shifting and changing with the rise and fall of the
sun and the ebb and flow of the tides - this is a great area for the
artist and photographer.
March and April - is a perfect time for the early Rhododendrons, setting
off the Daffodils, and the Erythroniums and Trilliums in the new woodland
garden. Skunk cabbage and Caltha grow close to the waters edge, while
Magnolia stellata is the first of several species which will flourish till
July.
May and June - is the time for the blue Meconopsis and the Asiatic
Primulas and the stunning display of Olearia x scilloniensis and O.
cheesemanii. June brings the many forms of Cistus, x Halimiocistus,
Abutilon vitifolium and Irises in great diversity and including the dwarf
I. innominata and I. setosa in various colour forms.
July - is the month for the profusion of Roses; Crinodendron hookerianum
and the unusual white-floweres C. patagua, both from Chile; 'Beauty Bush'
- Kolkwitzia amabilis and a host of clematis growing through various
shrubs. In particular a large white-flowered Clematis growing through
Magnolia stellata giving an extension of white flowers well into the
summer. Hoheria is best during this month, as is Escallonia iveyi and
beloved of a host of butterflies.
August - is the month for Hydrangeas which came from Michael Haworth-Booth
and do produce a stunning display when the Rhododendrons have finished.
The tall H. sargentiana with its large almost leathery leaves and purple
flowers, grows to 3m high while the shorter H. quercifolia with its white
flower heads set amid oak-like leaves is equally impressive. During the
month H. aspera Villosa Group comes into its own , as does H. paniculata
'White Moth' and 'Burgandy Lace' with burgandy coloured stems and more
compact panicles of white flowers to offer colour variations. But in
August H. macrophylla 'Madame Emile Mouillere', a striking white cultivar,
contrasts well with the very dark blue of H. macrophylla 'Marechal Foch'
in the acid soil. This is also the time for Crocosmia to produce its
display and the blue Agapanthus.
September - is the month for the white flowers of several species of
Eucryphia; the vanilla-scented Clethra barbinervis; the honey scent from a
host of colourful cultivars of Buddleia davidii, the hybrid B.x weyeriana
attracting a great fluttering of peacock butterflies; and the toad lillies
- Tricyrtis especially T. fomonsana.
October - is for the Nerine bowendii, carpets of Polygonum vacciniifolium,
autumn colours and berries to attract the winter migrants and the lovely
reflections on the ponds on these crisp sunny days that are experienced in
Galloway. This is certainly a garden for all seasons with an incredible diversity of
plants. It has taken 20 years of hard work by Tessa and Bill to produce
this garden of outstanding character and it is a joy to visit. Perhaps the
statue of the Florentine Medici Boar - it is a symbol of fertility - in
the centre of the garden has helped. The landscape has certainly been
transformed; just look over the boundary fence to see what they have
already achieved! ~ 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!
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