Monday 2 August 2010

FLOWERS, TREES AND ROCKS

We visited the beautiful Leckmelm Gardens near Ullapool during our holiday in June. The gardens are restored Victorian gardens set on the sloping shore of Loch Broom. Winding pathways meander through glades of Azalea and Rhododendrons. Many specimens of rare trees flourish and the ground supports an abundance of ferns, primula and wild flowers. The scent in spring is amazing.
Greg is enjoying his walk round the gardens.
Click on pictures for more detail
Sunshine on a tree.
Most of the trees and plants are labeled, but I couldn't find a name for this beauty .

Primulas and ferns compliment each other

One of the many little paths that invites exploration.


Death of a giant. I almost wept when I saw this great Weeping Beech that had become a victim of last winters terrible weather. Below is a photo of it in all it's glory when we visited two years ago. The gardeners have planted climbing plants around the old tree and planted ferns and other plants in nooks and crannies on the tree so that in a few years it will be a beautiful feature in the garden in a different way
The Weeping Birch in all it's former glory.

Azaleas above bluebells

These dead trees have been planted around with ivy and carved into the shape of chairs and still play a decorative and useful role in the garden

The "chair trees" seen from behind.


The day after visiting the gardens we headed north of Ullapool to visit Knockan Crag. This place is unusual because contrary to what is usual, the rocks here are older at the surface and younger further down. This was caused when continents collided and the rocks were crumpled and lifted. On and around Knockan Crag or numerous sculptures one of which Greg is going to roll down the mountain side. (I managed to stop him Phew!)

The, not very good, view from on the Crag, due to mist and drizzle.



13 comments:

happyone said...

The gardens look like a magical place. Too bad about the tree!
Wow, that giant rock ball is so cool!!

jabblog said...

Aww! Don't be sad - birches are relatively short-lived trees, around 60 years, and it's good that this one will provide support and background for other beauties.
What a lovely place to visit!

PurestGreen said...

That birch tree is stunning, and I love the sculpture. It looks like it is going to roll away at any moment. Great post.

George said...

These are beautiful gardens. I really like what they are planning to do with the dead and damaged trees. That should only add to the beauty and charm of this place. That sculpture looks as if it was made to roll down the hill.

Chris said...

I'm glad you all enjoyed the garden.
jabblog, the tree is actually a Weeping Beech, I don't know why on earth I called it a birch. Call it a senior moment.

Lindy said...

You and Greg always find the most beautiful and interesting places to visit! So sad about that Weeping Beech, but a grand idea of leaving it for climbing plants to embellish it. I'm glad you have a photo of the tree when it was full and hardy.

The colorful flower blossoms are amazing. The "sunshine on a tree" makes me think of forsythia or a yellow wisteria. Simply lovely!

Never saw a round rock sculpture like that before. Can you imagine assembling that piece? Give it a push, Greg! (Kidding!)

Thanks for another great tour ~
=)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Chris, Gorgeous gardens.... I love seeing so much color and the green is just gorgeous... Love the ferns...

The sculptures are interesting. We have a place not far from here called Craggy Gardens... The Rhododendrons are so thick that you can walk UNDER them. They have made a path... It's awesome.

Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

What a magical place. I am always amazed by the rhododendrons in Scotland. Here there are only bushes, there one can walk beneath them!

And I adore those tree chairs!!

Andrea said...

Hi Chris, that is a very lovely garden. I laughed out loud with the ball which Greg wants to roll downhill, hehe. That yellow flowers are so beautiful, we have a counterpart for that in the tropics, we call it golden shower, very similar to that. It is a tree legume, Casia alata (if i am not mistaken).

Ree said...

Beautiful garden, I love the 'round rock'!

happyone said...

Hi just stopping by to say hi. Hope all is well with you. It's been awhile since you posted.

D said...

Hello Chris, I have been thinking about you and missing your beautiful photos of my favourite place, Scotland. Hope all is well with you and your family.

happyone said...

Hi it's me again. I'm hoping all is well with you. Miss your pictures of Scotland.
A Happy New Year to you. :-)