Scottish Plant Hunters Part 2

We left the first part of the tour at the top of the hill in the Himalayas at the Moon Gate (7).

 This a garden of verticals steps and slopes and views glimpsed through trees. The design of the garden makes for amazing vistas and  it is also able to borrow views from the surrounding highland landscape. Many of the trees in the garden were there long before this garden was conceived and this gives it a maturity and a settled feel.

From the Moon Gate the path turns quite steeply downhill by the stream. I think it was suggested at this point that the path is not suitable for wheelchairs. That's disappointing.

The view from the top of the hill looking down towards the George Forrest pavilion.

 Drifts of candelabra primulas, large rhododendrons and ferns cover the slope.

This is the view looking back up the hill towards the Davis Douglas Pavillion. The cardiocrinum giganteum were still not out, whereas ours at home had finished flowering. As a matter of interest I researched who discovered the cardiocrinum expecting that it would be one of the Plant Hunters from this garden. But it seems to have been "discovered" by Nathanial Wallich, a Danish born surgeon in 1821.

I often think that "discovered " is a strange term to use. It's the same as Hiram Bingham "discovering" Macchu Picchu. The locals knew it was there all the time....

Primula capitata mooreana is one of the most beautiful primulas with clusters of violet blue flowers on long powdery silver stems and rosettes of grey green foliage.

The George Forrest pavilion has a restful, tranquil setting and feels like a place of contemplation. The glass wind chimes tinkle in the breeze. 

George Forrest (1873 - 1932) Among his many plant discoveries were Hypericum forrestii, Primula vialli and Acer davidii.

On leaving the George Forrest Pavilion the path crossed a bridge into the Japanese garden and back up the hill towards the entrance.

Robert Fortune (1813-1880) Many plants that he discovered were named after him such as Camellia "Robert Fortune" and Rhododendron fortunei. We also have him to thank for the introduction from Japan of Anemone japonica and Primula japonica  in addition to many chrysanthemums.

This garden has a feeling of harmony and balance. Thanks to the setting, mature trees and planting there is constant interest. The detailed information boards placed along the paths highlight the connection between that part of the world, the plant hunter and the plants he discovered.

There were however bare patches in some of the planting areas especially at the beginning. I wonder if this was down to planting constraints ie trying to stick exactly to what was discovered in any given region by the person featured. It may also be difficult with only one Gardener even if there are an army of keen volunteers to help.

As with so many gardens it is worth visiting at different times of year. A trip when the mecanopsis are in bloom would be worthwhile.

If you want to find out more about the garden and the Plant Hunters (there were a lot more featured in the garden) please go to their web site.

Before we left after our second trip I bought myself a momento of the visit... saxifraga fortunei

You didn't really expect me to leave empty handed, did you?