Scottish and Northern Borders Group of The Hardy Plant Society
Garden Visits 2026
Fife, June 2026
We visited two lovely and very different gardens in Fife and were lucky with the weather, considering there had been hailstones the day before!
Newburn House -
We were shown around the area of the garden devoted mainly to irises, laid out in a serpentine labyrinth by Head Gardener Pamela Ferns. She gave us a fascinating, entertaining and informative talk about the different types of iris and their characteristics, as well as the challenges of dealing with trespassing hares! Pamela also holds a National Collection of Siberian iris and has bred several new varieties.
Wemyss Castle -
We visited the six acre walled garden, which has been overhauled and redesigned since 1994 by Charlotte and Michael Wemyss, with completely new planting. There was much to admire, especially the roses and clematis and many different gardens rooms and vistas, with a huge variety of shrubs, ornamental trees and herbaceous perrenials.
Argyll, May 2026
Benmore Botanical Garden
Famous for its towering conifers and spectacular rhododendrons, with a renowned collection of plants from the Himalayas, China, Japan and the Americas covering 120 acres. Some of us enjoyed a guided tour of the garden with a volunteer, full of garden history and interesting snippets which added to the visit immensely.
Knock Newhouse
A mature garden centred on a lochan, small waterfall and lily pond. In spring, there are a wide range of specimen trees, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, flowers, and bulbs to be enjoyed. Planting has ranged over more than 60 years, with many cut leaf and flowering shrub and tree species added after the storms of 2011/12. The garden is well kept by its lady owner with only one day a month help from a paid gardener.
Port Ann
A half-acre tiered garden with an inspired use of a relatively small space created over 15 years. As Chris is now wheelchair bound, he and his wife have made a viewing platform at the top level. Lots of interesting plants, trees, shrubs, nooks and crannies to explore, with a water feature and a wilder area of hazel by a burnside smothered in bluebells in May. Also, many pieces of sculpture and ornament which were perfectly curated.
Crarae
A tranquil woodland garden full of all the usual spring shrubs and flowers. Owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Champion trees, gorges, burns, waterfalls and cliffs.
Lanarkshire, April 2026
Old Farm Cottage
Our recent visit to Old Farm Cottage was thoroughly enjoyable with our members receiving a very warm and generous welcome from its owners.
The garden was looking particularly beautiful in the glorious sunshine, with its delightful spring flowering shrubs and trees, narcissi, camassias, hellebores, primulas and trilliums. Those members who opted for a picnic lunch in the garden had a real treat.
The garden was brought to life by a detailed and very entertaining talk from its owner on the challenges of its transformation from an empty field over 25 years. It was interesting to hear how the garden had matured over time, shaped by experimentation, patience and tremendous enthusiasm.
A huge thanks to our hosts and to those who attended.
Beeches Cottage Nursery
We also received generous hospitality in the sunshine at Beeches Cottage Nursery. Members enjoyed some fabulous plant shopping along with exquisite cakes, teas and coffees. Members commented on how immaculate the garden beds were and on the great quality of the plants.
Saline, March 2026
The group were welcomed to Kirklands by the owners Peter and Gill Hart and as we were a large group, Peter kindly offered to provide two garden tours. The garden was looking at its best, well maintained with lots of hellebores and other early spring flowers.
Sloping woodland paths against banks with hellebore plantings provide easy viewing of the complex flower patterns. Additional paths have been constructed which makes it easy to view the flowers. The snowdrops were still looking good and very plentiful. The garden has a long season of interest with woodland planting, herbaceous borders and a south facing walled garden with strong structural elements; terraces, walls and raised beds for growing fruit and vegetables.
