Having seen through my first full year in post it is something of a challenge to distil into words the full range of experiences and emotions encountered during the last 12 months. Certainly, one of the highlights has been meeting our friends and visitors who so clearly have a great fondness of Arduaine garden and its unique tranquillity and beauty, a huge thank you to all for being so welcoming.
I was recently interviewed by a journalist who was keen to know how we face up to the challenges of the weather, particularly the numerous storms we have encountered over the last year and the inevitable damage they cause. I think she was somewhat surprised by my stoicism, early in my career any form of complacency that nature is a benign fellow was shaken out of me by the Great storm of 1987 in the south of England. The devastation wrought upon the garden I was then working in was incredible, but it was a valuable lesson in how nothing is ever permanent, gardens inevitably change and will eventually heal after a catastrophe. Remaining calm in times of adversity isn’t easy but it certainly helps, the Argyll climate has always been unpredictable but the extremes of wind and rainfall events we are experiencing will foremost dictate what we do at Arduaine for its future development.
Last summer, after paying us a spot visit, SEPA regarded us as being free from phytophthora and removed the statutory plant health notice, in this respect we are all looking forward to closing that chapter and moving on. The legacy of the tree felling will remain for some time but during the last year we have been able to direct our full attention to the recovery of the plant collections and raising horticultural standards around the garden. The collections are being added to again, new trees and plants have been sourced from around the country and even further afield. Making the very most of the microclimate was always at the heart of Arthur Campbell’s aspirations for Arduaine and it is something I equally share.
During the autumn Logan Botanic Gardens shared with us new species raised from seed collected in North Vietnam. We have developed a collections policy which gives a clear sense of direction to the future development of the garden whilst retaining its unique character.
Bridge building has taken place in other areas, after a hiatus of some years it was a wonderful experience to participate and exhibit at the Scottish Rhododendron Society show which was held in Garelochhead last spring. Aside from the pleasure gained from winning prizes, Arduaine’s tender Rhododendrons were well received, it also gave a chance to demonstrate and remind everyone that Arduaine remains a garden of considerable note. Subsequently I was able to give an online talk to the SRS which was viewed around the world.
I was recently interviewed by a journalist who was keen to know how we face up to the challenges of the weather, particularly the numerous storms we have encountered over the last year and the inevitable damage they cause. I think she was somewhat surprised by my stoicism, early in my career any form of complacency that nature is a benign fellow was shaken out of me by the Great storm of 1987 in the south of England. The devastation wrought upon the garden I was then working in was incredible, but it was a valuable lesson in how nothing is ever permanent, gardens inevitably change and will eventually heal after a catastrophe. Remaining calm in times of adversity isn’t easy but it certainly helps, the Argyll climate has always been unpredictable but the extremes of wind and rainfall events we are experiencing will foremost dictate what we do at Arduaine for its future development.
Last summer, after paying us a spot visit, SEPA regarded us as being free from phytophthora and removed the statutory plant health notice, in this respect we are all looking forward to closing that chapter and moving on. The legacy of the tree felling will remain for some time but during the last year we have been able to direct our full attention to the recovery of the plant collections and raising horticultural standards around the garden. The collections are being added to again, new trees and plants have been sourced from around the country and even further afield. Making the very most of the microclimate was always at the heart of Arthur Campbell’s aspirations for Arduaine and it is something I equally share.
During the autumn Logan Botanic Gardens shared with us new species raised from seed collected in North Vietnam. We have developed a collections policy which gives a clear sense of direction to the future development of the garden whilst retaining its unique character.
Bridge building has taken place in other areas, after a hiatus of some years it was a wonderful experience to participate and exhibit at the Scottish Rhododendron Society show which was held in Garelochhead last spring. Aside from the pleasure gained from winning prizes, Arduaine’s tender Rhododendrons were well received, it also gave a chance to demonstrate and remind everyone that Arduaine remains a garden of considerable note. Subsequently I was able to give an online talk to the SRS which was viewed around the world.
Arduaine entry Rhododendron show, Class 16
The pride and positivity the garden team have for Arduaine is demonstrable. Tom, Cary and latterly Shona, who recently rejoined us, has been incredible. Cary celebrated 25 years in post last summer, one of the kindest and most hardworking people I have ever worked with Cary has borne the tribulations of the garden with great fortitude and is enjoying the opportunity to create rather than destroy in recent times. Early last summer we welcomed Trustees and members of the National Trust for Scotland’s Executive Committee to Arduaine who were able to view first-hand the garden’s recovery, they were suitably impressed by the work being carried out to ensure the garden’s regeneration.
If there is one thing that never fails to surprise are the plants themselves, the colour and scent of the Rhododendrons in spring is a joy. Every day is a learning day and we regularly continue to discover species quietly hiding in plain sight such as a lovely endemic orchid from Madeira, Dactylorrihza foliosa. Observing some of our wonderful plants coming into bloom you can but imagine the pleasure J Arthur Campbell must have felt in the early days of the garden when seed raised plants from India and China flowered for the first time. The warm spring also encouraged the blooming of some of our southern hemisphere species, Metrosideros umbellata flowered for only the third time since it was planted by Maurice Wilkins in the 1990’s in spectacular fashion. One small planting project we will be undertaking this spring is a small tea plantation in the centre of the old production garden which references the origins of the garden, who knows maybe in time we will enjoy a cup of tea from our own supply?
The Friends of Arduaine have also generously donated a sum of £1200 which has enabled the planting of new Sakura cherry trees to succeed those planted in the early 1960’s by the Campbell family along the approach path to the garden.
Some important infrastructure projects have been completed which not only make us compliant with legislation, such as new toilets but also gives our visitors the benefit of better facilities during their visit. Our blacksmith, Simon Horne who is based on Arran, has produced some lovely metal work which enables us to reopen some of the previously closed off steps and aid accessibility. The paths are also being worked on as part of a continuous program of improvement to their quality, enabling greater enjoyment of the garden is something we aspire to achieving now and in the future.
If I told you everything we have been doing in the garden it would spoil the surprise! so I look forward to welcoming you all back into the garden this spring and letting you see for yourselves the fruits of our labour. As ever thank you so much for your support and especially to Calum Ross for his continued help.
Mark Brent, Head Gardener, Arduaine.
Some important infrastructure projects have been completed which not only make us compliant with legislation, such as new toilets but also gives our visitors the benefit of better facilities during their visit. Our blacksmith, Simon Horne who is based on Arran, has produced some lovely metal work which enables us to reopen some of the previously closed off steps and aid accessibility. The paths are also being worked on as part of a continuous program of improvement to their quality, enabling greater enjoyment of the garden is something we aspire to achieving now and in the future.
If I told you everything we have been doing in the garden it would spoil the surprise! so I look forward to welcoming you all back into the garden this spring and letting you see for yourselves the fruits of our labour. As ever thank you so much for your support and especially to Calum Ross for his continued help.
Mark Brent, Head Gardener, Arduaine.
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