Garden Open Day - 29th June 2014

Herbaceous border

Once a year the public get a fabulous opportunity to view the private terraced gardens of Dougarie Lodge, situated on the West side of the Isle of Arran.  From easily recognisable flowers to exotic rare plants there is something for everyone dotted around the terraces in nooks and crannies.  There is even a small woodland area to explore at the side of the formal top lawned area and a traditional kitchen garden.

Lily 

Black Iris

The terraces are castellated and provide shelter for more delicate plants and allow for beautiful herbaceous borders. Each terrace has a lovely lawn and a different display.

Mrs Gibbs is a very keen horticulturalist and does most of the work herself only having a few hours of help each week to maintain this massive garden.

Grevilia

Wandering around it is easy to miss some of the smaller blooms between huge displays of colour which have been trained up the stone walls and cascade over stairways. The position of the gulf stream allows for some more exotic plants to grow in this unique climate.

Steps with flower cascades

A few seats are placed to take in the view which stretches across the lawns in front of the lodge down to the river Iorsa and beyond.

Clematis & Sphaeralcea 

Marigold 

The plants bloom at different times of the year so there is always something of interest to view, although June sees some of the best displays of flowers.

Seats in little nooks

During the open afternoon cream teas are served in the Boathouse, which is a listed building not usually open to the public, and there is a small plant stall.

The gardens are open through Scotlands Open Garden scheme, between 2pm – 5pm, Sunday 29^th June.  Admission is £3.50 for adults and free for children.  Profits are divided between Pirnmill Village Association who receive 40% and the remainder goes to other beneficiaries.

Dicentra

Abutilon

 

Scabius

Aeorium

View down to the River Iorsa

 All photographs copyright of Arran in Focus