Synopsis
Crathes Castle Walled Garden in Spring
The four-acre walled garden as it appears today was designed by Sir James Burnett and his wife Lady Sybil members of the original family who've owned the castle for generations. Beginning in the 1920's they set about redesigning the garden which had been a kitchen garden until before WWI. They were serious plant people with Sir James particularly interested in trees and shrubs and Lady Sybil in herbaceous plants so they complimented each other well.
The walled garden consists of four acres divided into eight themed 'rooms' of different sizes and on different levels surrounded by elaborate topiary some of which was first planted in 1702. Adding to the romantic atmosphere of the garden is the backdrop of the Scottish turreted Scottish tower house that is Crathes Castle. The centrepiece of the lower gardens is the large dome shaped Prunus lusitanica Portuguese laurel which can been seen from different areas. Each 'room' has a theme, the White Garden, the Golden Garden, the Red Garden and the rose garden which is being re-designed.
Beginning in 2001 after much planning, a major renovation of the Yew topiary began because the hedges had become unwieldy and too large for the gardeners to maintain. Parts of them were drastically cut back but the hedge faces have now regrown. The gardeners have maintained the traditional and slightly irregular egg and cup shapes of the hedges.
This set of photographs was taken in May when the garden was shrouded in a beautiful early morning mist and looking fresh surrounded by new green spring foliage and cherry blossom. In the borders there are beautiful creamy white Trilliums and smaller vibrant burgundy coloured flowers. The Pond and Fountain Gardens have delightful decorative statues. There is a touch of wildlife with an Oyster Catcher nesting in one of the garden's containers.
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