Seasons at Glenwhan

Whatever the season there is a great variety of rare and first class plants.

Glenwhan Gardens & Arboretum is best seen in person, however we have endeavoured to capture images that reflect the wide variety of plants and wildlife that can be experienced. Some we have taken and others have kindly been contributed by visitors.

Spring

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 at Glenwhan Gardens

Explore the stunning gardens and grounds at Glenwhan. Layers and levels of beautiful gardens will leave you in awe when you visit Glenwhan.

Early Summer

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.

Summer

July is the month for the profusion of roses; Crinodendron hookerianum and the unusual white flowered C. patagua, both from Chile; Beauty Bush – Kolkwitzia amabilis and a host of clematis growing through various shrubs. I was particularly taken by 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.

Autumn

During the following 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, to be followed in September by 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 lilies -Tricyrtis especially T. formosana.

Winter

October brings the Nerine bowdenii, 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 we experience in Galloway.