An Ceardach Garden

  • The Smiddy 1993

An Ceardach was an old croft, probably abandoned before 1950 so that it was completely covered in bracken and brambles when we bought it in 1989. Steep slopes, no shelter, deer, rabbits and advancing years….just some of the difficulties. Weedkiller, machines and optimism were needed. Today the garden has 3 acres of garden shewn below, 1 acre of wild flower meadow and 1 acre of woodland.

Many unusual trees and shrubs thrive in our mild climate

  • Betula jacquemontii
  • Pinus patula
  • Betula Albo-sinensis
  • Christine and Magnolia Wilsonii
  • Magnolia Wilsonii

Rhododendrons bloom from October till July, about 400 varieties in every colour from the largest, Sinogrande to some of the smallest like the Glendoik bird series.

  • Rh. Falconeri
  • Rh. Wardii
  • Rhs. Loderi, Grand pré,Gartendirektor glacier
  • Rh.Lindleyi
  • Rh. Sinogrande
  • Rh. Penheale’s Blue
  • Wee Bridge and hybrid rhododendrons

Water is always about, not just the rain. A spring fills the ponds and drainage from the fields spills over the rock face and makes a stream through the garden

  • Sunset through the fountain
  • Arare frost freezes the stream
  • Heavy rain on the rock face
  • The big pond in summer
  • Southern Hawker dragonfly emerging
  • A wee rest beside a wee pond
  • Water lilies are abundant
  • Stream

The Wild daffodils improve every year, but it is backbreaking work splitting them

Art in the Garden

  • Obelisk, slate and stainless steel
  • Golden Apple
  • Spiders Web, stainless steel wire

Features of interest round every corner and lots of seats to enjoy the lovely views

  • A productive vegetable garden
  • Wild flower meadow
  • 14 fairy doors
  • The deer didn’t reach these roses
  • Fritillaries in the meadow
  • Two of our Hebridean lambs. the sheep are the meadow lawnmowers
  • Seats to enjoy the view

As well as 4 Hebridean lambs, 3 new sheep have appeared in the orchard.