Pitmedden Garden, National Trust for Scotland

Pitmedden, Ellon, AB41 7PD

The Great Garden dates back to 1675. Brilliant design and meticulous maintenance gives Pitmedden Garden its unique, highly formal charm. With almost 6 miles of clipped box hedging, the parterres at the heart of the garden are a masterpiece of intricate patterns that house 30,000 annual bedding plants to provide sparkling summer colours.

Centuries old trained apple trees line the walls and herbaceous borders add long seasonal charm. Originally owned by Sir Alexander Seton, the garden and estate had been passed on through the generations until the Keith’s bought it circa 1894.

In 1952 champion agriculturalist Major James Keith, CBE, bequeathed it to the National Trust for Scotland. Upon acceptance of the garden, the Trust began the daunting task of re-creating the garden to return it to its historic roots. Unfortunately, a house fire in 1818 meant all historic documents had been lost and so Dr. James Richardson, Lady Burnett of Leys and Dr John Cowan began the task of research and recreation, drawing inspiration from Gordon of Rothiemay’s parterre designs found in Holyroodhouse Palace archives.

George Barron (of Beechgrove Garden fame), head gardener at the time, led the team on the ground and brought the designs to life. Historic features such as the 24 faceted sundial and ancient yew trees stand aside newer features such as the orchard planted in 2014 to the South of the walled garden.

The museum of farming life containing historic machinery and tools of the farming trade as well as the smiddy, farmhouse and stables; all contribute to the ties that link this historic property of where agriculture has met horticulture. The herb garden, potager, pleached lime and hornbeam trees as well as sculptures by artist John Maine R.A all add to Pitmedden Garden’s rich tapestry.

Website: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/pitmedden-garden

Telephone: 01651 842352

Opening times: As of 2020-

April- September

Open Daily

October

Friday-Monday

Please see our website for current opening times

Admission costs: From £6.00

Please see our website for current prices

NTS members Free

RHS members Free admission on Wednesday during opening hours (Member one only)

Garden of the Week is in association with Discover Scottish Gardens. For more information, advice and day-out ideas, visit discoverscottishgardens.org