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Autumn colours along the Tay in Perth
2 November 2019
Cold and wet at the start of November, but Perthsire Amber still shines along the banks of the Tay in Perth.
Autumn crocus
20 September 2019
Beningbrough Hall is one of those gardens that can be visited at different times of year to get a different garden delight. In Autumn the highlights were the dahlias in the herbaceous beds, and these autumn crocus scattered across the grass in the American garden, which has been left wilder than the rest of the grounds.
Formal garden, Cragside
14 July 2019
The formal gardens at Cragside are across the valley from the house, a pleasant walk across the iron bridge and by the pinetum. A glasshouse, fernery, geometric planting, herbaceous Italian gardens and clipped hollies and yew are all present.
Allotments, Berwick on Tweed
13 July 2019
A peek over the walls from the headland walk around Berwick upon Tweed. A vast expanse of colourful allotments tended by industrious enthusiasts can just be glimpsed beyond the high wall.
Newton Point, Northumberland
12 July 2019
Burnet moths (5-spot I think), on the birds foot trefoil in the extensive coastal meadowland at Newton Point, Northumberland. Between Bamburgh and Craster, this beautiful area is protected by the National Trust, and swathes of grasses, wildflowers and insects can be seen in a pleasant stroll along the path.
Mellerstein, Scottish Borders
13 July 2019
The gardens at the Robert Adam classic Mellerstein house,home of the Earl of Haddington, are set out for the grand view down the symmetrical formal gardens, extensive lawn and lake. There are more subtle corners as well, such as the simple planting around the thatched cottage.
Mount Grace Priory
11 July 2019
A visit to Mount Grace Priory near Osmotherley on the A19, on the way up to Northumberland for a short break. The garden has recently been revistalised with freash planting and design by Chris Beardshaw. Very sympathetically done. Also a new cafe!
Drummond Castle, Crieff
30 May 2019
A very wet afternoon visit to the splendid gardens at Drummond Castle curtailed a close inspection of the wonderful specimen tree planting - all labelled on the detailed garden plan we were given. Box blight a problem, but being battled with monthly feeding and fungicide treatment.
Bolfracks, Perthsire
28 May 2019
A visit to Bolfracks garden at the end of May saw the azaleas and rhododendron at their best. The rose buds were forming for the next flowering display, and the lawns were beiing trimmed - by an obedient Husqvarna robot lawnmower, quietly traversing the slopes.
Cluny House Garden, Perthshire
28 May 2019
A delightful walk around the woodland garden maintained by John and Wendy Mattingley, who we spoke to as they were out in the garden. 20 minutes watching a family of squirrels next to the giant redwood, and more delights on the paths. More in the tree section.
Gertrude Jekyll's garden, Lindisfarne
24 May 2019
A return to Holy Island after some years. The castle still not fully recovered after its major restoration project. The small square garden, once used as a vegetable garden for the troops, remains an austere treat, resolute against the elements.
Chillingham, Northumberland
23 May 2019
Chillingham Castle in Northumberland is a little off the beaten track, but worth finding. A treasure house of antiques and curiosities collected by Sir Humphrey Wakefield since his purchase of the castle in 1984. The gardens are gradually being restored - a fine Italian garden pictured here.
Lowther Castle, Lake District
20 April 2019
Long swathes of white daffodils lead the eye down from the Shap Priory steps to a view of the ruined castle in Lowther Park. Hundreds of thousands of bulbs have been planted over the last few years as part of the park's regeneration into a worthy visitor attraction.
Corkscrew hazel, Roxby Garden
25 February 2019
The hazel in our garden seems to have excelled itself this year, both in terms of the number of catkins and their length. A fine day in the unseasonal heat wave that we enjoyed this February allowed this almost summer-like photo to be taken.
Garth End Cottage garden
The top end of the garden is mainly grass, shrubs and trees, with a little topiary in beech, box, lonicera and golden privet.
There is a gallery of views of the garden available.
Many projects have been undertaken in my garden over the years. Here are some links to garden projects in recent years.
Summerhouse
I have done many illustrated talks on gardens over the years. Here are links to four garden talks I have given
Talk 1: A Garden in Thornton le Dale
The development of my own garden over 30 years, from a dumping ground for tarmac mainly down to grass, asbestos garage and tin shed, to its present state. Always changing, always some new development underway.
Talk 2: Yorkshire Gardens
Any gardener serious about developing their own garden will want to visit as many other gardens as possible, for enjoyment but also for inspiration and ideas.
This talk takes you on a virtual tour of thirty gardens across the 3 ridings of Yorkshire, from relatively small plots to grand stately homes.
Talk 3: National Trust Gardens
The National Trust cares for 200 gardens in England and Wales, of which I have visited and photographed around 80 to date, plus others managed by the National Trust for Scotland and the equivalent in Ireland.
This talk covers up to 80 gardens (some fleetingly) and offers a personal view of the delights to be found in locations across the country.
Talk 4: Maintaining the garden
It is great fun establishing a garden over the years: you get to buy new plants and objects, design and build, turn dull areas into something interesting. But then it all has to be kept to plan and in good condition. Weeding, mulching, composting, clipping, pruning, building and landscaping ....