Underwood Lodge’s secluded garden is set in surrounding farmland and woodland. The main structure of the garden has been in place for over 20 years with mature trees, shrubs, herbaceous and wall-grown plants. Recent changes to the garden include the development of a woodland, scree garden and installation of a summer house, pergola and glasshouse. Deer and rabbit fencing was added in autumn 2023 to give greater protection. We continue to enhance the planting in all areas.

The largest of Edinburgh's New Town gardens still in private ownership, it remains largely unchanged since its formation in 1830. The design consists of an upland lawn of seven acres planted with specimen trees. The flanking woodlands of five acres are planted with spring bulbs giving a carpet of colour. Sitting on the lower slope of Calton Hill, the garden has beautiful views of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside.

Like all good gardens, it has evolved over time. The garden is centred on a 250 foot lochan, a small waterfall and lily pond. The first trees and rhododendrons were planted in the 60s, with major additions in the 90s. A variety of cut leaf and flowering trees were added after the storms of 2011/12. As a result, the garden now has a wide range of specimen trees, camellias, hoheria, eucryphia, stewartia to name a few in addition to the azaleas and rhododendrons. January flowering is followed by spring flowers and bluebells and then into the autumn by spectacular colours. I am delighted to welcome visitors at any time, please let me know when you would like to visit.

This two-acre, organic, working walled garden is being lovingly restored back to full production with the development of the ‘no dig’ method to grow many heritage and new varieties of vegetables with impressive results. The maturing herbaceous borders have the space to encourage drifts of colour and interest throughout the seasons. An opportunity to follow the garden throughout the growing season from late spring to autumn harvest, and to discuss and learn about the benefits of ‘no dig’. Paul and Teri will also open their own private Therapy Garden which is a beautiful contemplative space with serene water features, statuary, stonework and unusual plants.

Redcroft is a mature walled garden surrounding an attractive Arts and Crafts house. It is a hidden haven off a busy road with a variety of different features and habitats: old shrubberies, an orchard, a rockery, a pond, and a large lawn with contrasting longer grass. It is well maintained with clipped shrubs - some of them quite unusual - and some cloud pruning. May is very colourful with rhododendrons and many other flowering shrubs and wall plants, and the greenhouse is full of tender plants. There will be tulips in pots and many other spring bulbs. Children and buggies are very welcome and there will be plenty of activities. We hope older children will enjoy our treehouse. Dogs on leads welcome.

Two acres of wild garden, with a wide variety of rhododendrons and azaleas, and an impressive collection of trees, including metasequoia, cryptomeria, Acer cappadocicum, Sequoia sempervirens, Quercus robur ‘Filicifolia’, liriodendron, several Japanese maples, magnificent beech and Scots pine trees, and extensive yew topiary; also an acre of walled garden with embothriums, Acer griseum, liquidambar, several sorbus varieties, parrotia and a large herbaceous border. Fine views of Strathearn from the front of the house. 

The garden surrounds the house which dates from the 17th century. Mature beech and lime trees shelter an abundance of rhododendrons and azaleas. Newer plantings of trees and shrubs add year-round colour and interest with underplantings of perennials and bulbs. Tubs of cheery spring flowers add colour around the garden. Raised beds have recently been added for vegetables, fruit trees and herbs. A colourful maple grove, a den for the youngsters and a rockery with alpines and small rhododendrons beside the burn all add interest. Cross the bridge to the main lawn which is framed with trees and shrubs chosen for different seasons. There are various seats in sheltered spots to enjoy, wildflowers and fruit trees.

Late 18th-century house sits on top of a hill surrounded by herbaceous beds and well-established shrubs, including rhododendrons and azaleas, overlooking the loch. Attractive walks through woods and around the loch. It was here that the first steamboat in Britain made its maiden voyage in 1788 and there is a life-size model beside the water to commemorate this. Over the past years, there has been much clearing and development work around the loch, which has opened up the views considerably. 

Discover two gardens, one at the farm and an upper garden further up the hill. The former is approximately one and a half acres and developed over the last 40 years. Its principal features include dwarf rhododendron, azaleas (evergreen and deciduous), large drifts of various primula and meconopsis and bluebells, and mixed herbaceous perennials/shrubs; there is also quite a serious kitchen garden. The second garden has been developed over the last 30 years out of a birch and sessile oak wood and is a traditional west coast glen garden intersected by two pretty burns with waterfalls. The garden has been extended over the last few years and now covers nearly ten acres with extensive new paths, and a suspension bridge over the ravine. Whilst the plants are important, many say that it is the topography with its differing vistas which make this garden such a peaceful and special place.

The flower garden is sheltered by magnificent beeches, limes, ancient yews and Japanese maples. There are herbaceous borders, a burnside rhododendron and azalea walk, rockery, tulips and spring bulbs. Enjoy the old woodland of Strachur Park, laid out in 1782, and the wildlife rich lochan.

The formal walled garden combines the lawn, sculpture and yew hedges, an Apple Walk, extensive herbaceous planting including roses and peonies with an informal arboretum. Splendid 17th century sandstone Scottish baronial house, remodelled in 1829 by William Burn. The gardens include herbaceous border, formal rose garden, Lady Haddington’s Secret Garden with old fashioned roses and an extensive Wilderness spring garden with rhododendrons, azalea, flowering trees and bulbs. Grounds include a one mile beech avenue to the sea. The Romanesque ruin of St Baldred’s Church commands views across the Tyne Estuary and Lammermuir Hills. Tyninghame has been awarded ‘Outstanding’ for every category in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Scotland.

This is a cottage garden with perennial and fruit tree borders, along with raised beds for vegetables. Extensive use is made of pots and tubs planted with spring bulbs, herbaceous plants, annuals as well as shrubs and vegetables making them more accessible. The owners are well known for showing prize winning vegetables and flowers at flower shows in Stirlingshire. Visit in May and you can see the start of this process and then come back to the second open day in July to see the results of the TLC this garden has had.

Arbigland House is an Adam-style 18th-century mansion surrounded by 24 acres of woodland gardens running down to a beach on the Solway Firth. The gardens date from the 18th century but the more formal areas were developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and are currently undergoing a programme of restoration and development. There are 200 year-old trees lining the Broad Walk which runs down to the Solway and a huge variety of rhododendrons and azaleas. Within the woodland are a range of features including a stream-fed lake and a Japanese garden, with a more formal sundial garden and sunken rose garden, all in the process of renewal. Amongst these are a diverse collection of mature trees and shrubs.

Well-stocked and beautifully designed, mature, medium-sized town garden comprising herbaceous and shrub beds, lawn, fruit and some vegetables, water features, seating areas, trees and an example of cloud pruning. This is a wildlife-friendly garden that has been transformed from a wilderness 40 years ago and continues to evolve. In 2017 two raised beds were added to the front garden. This hidden treasure of a garden was featured on Beechgrove in June 2015 and on The Instant Gardener in June 2016.

A beautiful woodland walk around 50 acres of native bluebells, primroses and wild garlic in a delightful setting bordering the Green Water river with tumbling waterfalls. Great outdoor space for children to run and explore and splash in the burn (under supervision). A haven of tranquillity only three miles from the centre of Kilmacolm. This opening is raising funds for Buildher (buildher.org) a social enterprise owned by Orkidstudio.

An extensive, long-established country garden at 800 feet, undergoing renewal. There are ducks and hens, stream and ponds as well as areas of wild garden and borders including roses, vegetables, lawns and woodlands. Stunning views over the Forth.

A change of venue for our ever popular annual plant sale. By kind permission of Ruaraidh and Jeanette Ogilvie we are moving to Pitmuies (see separate garden entry for description). Coffee and cakes will be available. There will be a good selection of plants sourced from private gardens and some local nurseries. Please bring boxes and trays if you can. Donations of plants in advance or on the day will be welcome.

Developed over the last 36 years, this one-acre plantsman's garden is home to an eclectic mix of truly hardy perennials, trees and shrubs. Planted for year-round colour and interest and to provide habitats for wildlife, there is something new to see each month. There is a woodland garden, rockery, bog garden, herbaceous borders and much more. Meconopsis grow well here and more are being planted out every year. In addition to the garden, there is a small orchard, wildlife ponds and mown paths through the wildflower meadows and, if you're lucky, you may spot red squirrels.
National Plant Collection: Scilla (Chionodoxa)

A quirky coastal garden hidden behind a walled plot. Scatterings of California poppies, bluebells and a varied mix of annuals and perennials with a small clear pond. Different themes blend in the garden, all overseen by a majestic dragon sculpture perched on a tree.

Logan Botanic Garden lies at the south-western tip of Scotland, unrivalled as ‘Scotland’s Most Exotic Garden’. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, a remarkable collection of southern hemisphere plants flourish, making this a plantsman’s paradise. Logan enjoys an almost subtropical climate where the garden's avenues and borders feature a spectacular and colourful array of half-hardy perennials. The garden is warmed by the Gulf Stream which enables plants from Australia, New Zealand, South and Central America and Southern Africa to thrive. Voted ‘Best Garden in the UK’ 2021, Logan promises a delightful day out for all.
National Plant Collection: Gunnera, Leptospermum, Griselinia, Clianthus and Sutherlandia
Champion Trees: Polylepis and Eucalyptus

This lovely, three-acre, 18th-century triple walled garden has been thoughtfully restored to provide year-round interest. It contains many mature trees and shrubs, including some less common species, herbaceous borders and shrub roses which surround the foundations of original greenhouses, grass borders, a parterre, extensive beds of fruit and vegetables, a herb garden and a small woodland walk. This unusual garden is well worth a visit. 

A constantly evolving artist’s garden that never stands still, with lots of surprises including a shell house built in 2014, rose parterres, a rill and fountains. At its heart are the plants filling every border, spilling over arches and lining paths, which are the inspiration for Ann’s paintings. The season starts with the snowdrop collection of over 70 cultivars, moves on through hellebores, tulips, irises and roses. One of the garden's features is a mirror steel diamond sculpture to commemorate the Frasers' diamond wedding anniversary and 60 years in this garden. 

“Broadwoodside is a remarkable achievement. It is a country house that is both memorable and noteworthy, without ever falling into the trap of architectural pretension. That is perhaps because the humble origins of the steading still shine through the transformation to lend texture and interest to the buildings. No less remarkable is the way that the house graduates into the garden and the garden into the landscape. This is a house that feels not merely at home in its setting, but born from it. Finally, there is the delight of the place, enlivened with colour, inscriptions and beautiful things. If Arcadia possessed a country house, surely this would be it.” Country Life, 2023.

Bridge of Allan gardens will again feature a selection of larger and smaller gardens. They will highlight various species of rhododendrons and azaleas and many varieties of spring blossoms, plants and flowers. Some have water features showing an interesting variety of plants. One of the gardens features a variety of sculpture, with quirky quotations placed around the garden, while another is divided into ‘rooms’, each having a different theme. The Gardens of Bridge of Allan were featured on Beechgrove last year.

Beautiful five-acre woodland garden filled with azaleas and rhododendrons beneath ancient Scots pines, Douglas firs and silver firs (some over 140 feet tall). Also beeches, rare and unusual trees including pindrow firs, Pere David’s maple, Erman’s birch and a mountain snowdrop tree. The Oriental Garden features a Karesansui, a dry slate stream designed by Peter Roger, a RHS Chelsea gold medal winner. The keyhole-shaped garden houses a purple Prunus cerasifera hedge and a herbaceous border, and has been designed by Billy Carruthers of Binny Plants, an eight-times gold medal winner at Gardening Scotland and a regular at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Large old walled garden with a wide selection of plants, including some interesting shrubs and climbers and a kitchen garden. Mature woodland with many established rhododendrons and azaleas, and carpeted with snowdrops in February.

A well-stocked, connoisseur’s garden of about ⅓ acre situated at the end of a short cul-de-sac. There are many less common plants like varieties of trilliums, meconopsis (blue poppies), tree peonies (descendants of ones collected by George Sherriff and grown at Ascreavie), dactylorhiza and codonopsis. There is a scree garden and collection of ferns. The vigorous climbing rose, Paul’s Himalayan Musk, grows over a pergola. Interconnected ponds encourage wildlife.

Mansion house with glorious views over Loch Lomond with adjoining garden. Wonderful rhododendrons and azaleas are the principal plants in the garden, with a varied selection of trees and shrubs throughout. Spectacular spring bulbs, border plantings of herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees. Extensive walled garden with glasshouses, pergola and ornamental plantings. Children’s play area and putting green beside the house.

This one-and-a-quarter acre plantswoman’s garden has a variety of different plant habitats: woodland, dry sunny gravel beds, rock garden, crevice garden and mixed perennial and shrub borders. There is also a large productive vegetable garden. The McHales like to grow most of their plants from seed obtained through various international seed exchanges. You can expect to see a large number of unusual and exciting plants. The garden is full of colour with an abundance of spring flowers in March, and in late May and early June the meconopsis should be at their best. The gravel garden comes into its own in July and continues through until winter. Hardy cyclamen are a big favourite and one species or another is in flower in almost every month of the year. Winter is a good time to admire their varied leaf forms.