Branklyn Garden, 116 Dundee Road, Perth PH2 7BB
Amongst the azaleas and primulas that thrive on this south-facing slope above the River Tay, the Himalayan poppies float like patches of sky that have fallen to earth.
These iconic blue flowers, long believed to be no more than a myth, were introduced to the west by Scottish explorer George Sherriff in 1933 on his return from a plant hunting expedition to Bhutan.
Amongst the sponsors of that trip were John and Dorothy Renton, who had established Branklyn in the 1920s on the site of an old orchard which they had identified as being suitable for growing the new plants that were arriving from Asia and North America.
Today Branklyn holds a National Collection of large, blue flowered Meconopsis and for a few short weeks at the end of May and into early June these fabled plants put on a showstopping display.
These are not the easiest of plants to cultivate, but here they thrive in semi-shade, in ground that is moist but not waterlogged and carefully placed so as to avoid competition from surrounding flowers.
At just two acres in size, Branklyn is one of the smallest gardens in the care of the National Trust for Scotland but it is also one of the most densely-planted, with rare snowdrops, species rhododendrons and acers that provide stunning autumn colour. A favourite autumn feature is the Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum), which takes on the smell of candyfloss as its leaves change colour.
Meanwhile, winding paths lead visitors past packed beds and shrubberies, adding to the sensation that the garden is much bigger than it really is, and these routes also offer a chance to enjoy the plants up close, while a wall, made from peat blocks from a sustainable source in Sweden is home to many unusual acid-loving plants.
As well as woodland plants, Branklyn also contains many alpine species, which are growing in gritty soil to prevent their roots from becoming waterlogged. Some of these and of the other plants grown at Branklyn, can be found on sale at the plant stall, providing the opportunity to buy species that are seldom available anywhere else.
When they’ve finished exploring every nook and cranny, visitors can take tea on the terrace overlooking the garden, with the River Tay beneath them and Kinnoull Hill forming a natural windbreak at the back.
Details
Branklyn Garden is on Dundee Road, on the eastern edge of Perth, The garden is open daily until October 31 - 10am - 5pm., Tickets: £11/£9/£6.50/£1 YoungScot, Tel: 01738 625535 Branklyngardens@nts.org.yk www.nts.org In association with Discover Scottish Gardens. www.discoverscottishgardens.org.
