LIP NA CLOICHE GARDEN & NURSERY
Ballygown, nr. Ulva Ferry, Isle of Mull PA73 6LU
Lip na Cloiche is a densely-planted garden on a steeply-sloping coastal site on the north west of Mull, with stunning views over Loch Tuath to the Isle of Ulva.
Driving along a road bordered with rocky hillsides, clothed with bracken and gorse, the garden comes as a surprise with its luxuriant tapestry of plants. At the entrance are well stocked sales tables of herbaceous plants and shrubs, all home-propagated.
From here, the walk follows a lushly-planted burn decorated with rogerisas, rheums, sanguisorbas and astilboides. An intricately-paved path then leads you between colourful borders of nepeta, geraniums and Agastache, before winding up the hill, past banks of wind-resistant shrubs including ozothamnus, drimys lanceolata, callistemon (bottlebrush) and various types of olearias, to an elevated view point.
Benches set among rambling roses, Agapanthus Loch Hope and Kniphopia rooperi allow you to enjoy the sweeping views from Ben More in the east to the Treshnish Isles to the west. The path winds down again past more beds of colourful planting, including many exotic species such as dramatic echium pininana, which thrive in the mild coastal conditions.
Colourful beds of herbaceous plants surround the cottage and potager, with aeoniums, amicia zygomeris, salvias and other tender species in pots.
Reclaimed materials, old ironwork and driftwood have been incorporated into the garden, adding interest and helping blend it into the environment. These, together with the winding paths, lush planting and many unusual and exotic species, make this garden fascinating for all ages and levels of horticultural interest.
Website: www.lipnacloiche.co.uk
Telephone: 01688 500257
Opening Times: Always open dawn to dusk
Admission costs: a donation of £2.50pp is requested, 25% of which is donated to local charities
Garden of the Week is in association with Discover Scottish Gardens. For more information, advice and day-out ideas, visit discoverscottishgardens.org
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