The garden covers sixteen acres, of which, around two acres are formal lawns and flowerbeds, the remainder being park and woodland.
The climate in Argyll, with its yearly average rainfall of 230cms (90 inches), is ideally suited to Rhododendrons and Azaleas, which flower in the gardens from April until June. Conifers also grow well in the poor acidic soil of a high rainfall area, as can be seen by the fine specimens such as Cedrus Deodars, Sequoiadendron Wellingtonia, Cryptomeria Japonica and Taxus Baccata.
The borders on each side of the main drive, beyond the lawns, are known as the 'Flag-Borders' - the paths having been laid out in the shape of Scotland's National flag, the St. Andrew's Cross. These borders, outstanding in the spring with beautiful Prunus 'Ukon' and Prunus subhirtella, are underplanted with an interesting mixture of Rhododendrons, Eucrypyias, various shrubs and herbaceous plants, giving interest all year round. |