After leaving sunny
Cumbria, a couple of hours later we arrived in Northumberland via
Kelso where the softest of rain drops welcomed us, after so many
weeks of drought.
Specifically we came to
visit Kirky Cottage Garden, Mindrum.
www.mindrumestate.com
Ginny Fairfax is known
as the creator of the fabulous Mindrum Garden. Five years ago she
began creating a new garden at Kirky Cottage. This is a gravel garden
in cottage garden style, with her favourite plants from Mindrum and
many others, which have matured beautifully. It is an abundant
garden, full of interesting plants.
These gorgeous,
abundant blue plants are annuals – Echium Blue Bedder (available
from Sarah Raven)
Like all great works of
art, our responses to the garden varied. Comments ranged from
“warm and soft” to “distinctly untidy”.
We
then journeyed over the border to Sir Walter Scott's dramatic
Scottish baronial home at Abbotsford, Melrose. Here, as well
as enjoying the garden, we took a tour of the house when we
were entertained and informed by Hamish, the guide.
 |
| The ceiling plaster cabbage in the dining room! |
Our
next stop was just fifteen miles away to Carolside, a Georgian
House and Garden near Earlston on the A68.
www.carolside.com
I
am sure that for many of us Carolside was the jewel in Thursday's day
trip crown! It is the home of Rose & Anthony Foyle.
“The
late 18th century mansion is set in beautiful parkland, flanked by
wooded hills, nestling in a bend of the River Leader. Carolside
garden has been cultivated for over 200 years. Today it is best known
for its soft and delicate herbaceous planting, striking Delphinium
beds and subtle colour schemes, its design of rooms with a Secret
garden, Winter garden and Herb garden backed in espaliered pear trees
and yellow and white roses. Sweeping lawns lead to an oval walled
garden where an Historical Collection of ancient roses is housed
including a National Collection of pre-1900 Gallica roses. Kenneth
Cox in his book "Scotland for Gardeners" describes
Carolside as "one of Scotland's finest private gardens.”
Our
final stop was at the private garden of an extremely pleasant
gentleman retiree's home at the converted Stables of Maxton House,
St Boswell's.
Wonderful
herbaceous Clematis heraclefolia Cassandra was
just about to flower.
Euan, the gardener, recommended an online
visit to 'Taylors Clematis'.
Thank you Janice & Jude for all your hard work and inspiration for organising this day trip.
Written
by PMR
Various reference
sources used
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