Killearn Village Gardens
Killearn
Stirlingshire
G63 9NL
Beautiful Plots
Killearn is one of Scotland’s prettiest villages and tomorrow, many of its garden owners will be opening their gates in aid of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS).
Visitors will be able to enjoy classic cottage gardens, edible plots, raised beds and newly-created green spaces.
Some of the gardens have fine collections of Acers, others have water features and raised beds, and all of them are cultivated by knowledgeable gardeners who are keen to share their efforts with others and to raise money for a selection of charities.
Every year, hundreds of gardens across the country participate in SGS openings, giving visitors the chance to explore a huge variety of layouts and garden styles, from tiny city centre courtyards to suburban plots, rural idylls and country estates.
Some of the gardens contain important plant collections or notable trees, others have meadows and ponds while many of the allotments that also take part offer a wealth of knowledge on growing fruit and vegetables.
Village openings, where a number of gardens in the one location open on the same date, are particularly popular as they offer the opportunity to discover how different gardeners have responded to similar growing conditions.
On the same day Killearn is staging its Gardens Open Day, many plots in the village of Edzell in Brechin will also be opening – including 12 Union Street, which is a walled garden with roses and ancient apple trees; North Lodge in Church Street, with woodland, shrubs and Japanese elements; and Westwater on Dunlappie Road, which is a large town garden.
Another garden to catch at the moment is Bradystone House, left, at Murthly in Perthshire, which is open every Thursday afternoon until Thursday, August 10.
This densely-cultivated garden surrounds a restored steading and contains unusual perennials, shrubs, a collection of clematis and roses, as well as a pond, orchard and woodland walks.
These openings, and others like them, are a great chance to talk to knowledgeable gardeners, find inspiration, share ideas and on many occasions to buy home grown plants.
Charity Openings
Scotland’s Gardens Scheme was launched in 1931 to raise money for the Queen’s Nursing Institute in Scotland. Money raised by garden openings still supports this cause as well as Perennial (Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society) and Maggies Cancer Care Centre, while 60% of ticket receipts are distributed amongst charities chosen by garden owners.
Last year 500 openings, which were assisted by 1200 volunteers, attracted 70,000 visitors and raised £375,000.
SGS provides training and support for garden openers and it is constantly on the look-out for more gardeners willing to participate in aid of good causes.
Current gardens are spread from the Borders to Shetland and the Western Isles and openings take place throughout the year, beginning with snowdrops in February and continuing right through until the last of the autumn leaves has fallen.
Details
The gardens of Killearn will be open tomorrow from 11am-5pm. Tickets £6 (children free.)
Tickets, maps, teas and plant sales will be available from Killearn Village Hall.
The gardens of Edzell will be open tomorrow from 2pm-5pm.
Tickets £7 (children free.)
Bradystone House, Murthly: the garden is open on Thursdays, 11am-4pm, until August 10. Tickets £5 (children free.)
Details of these and other openings are available from www.scotlandsgardens.org
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