Firstly, we embarked on creating shelter from the North-East winds by planting Beech hedging on the East side of the house. Living only two miles from the North Sea, wind is our enemy not the frosts!

Then we cleared the mature Sitka spruce around the monument in the park. This then created a space for a new arboretum. A lime avenue and oak avenue were planted and many non-native species of trees with wonderful autumn colours.

Then a greenhouse was erected which prompted the clearing of trees and planting two long herbaceous borders. This part of the garden was then later finished in 2023 and designed by Francis Rasche, and has given a sense of formality.

From early Spring when sheets of snowdrops, then daffodils, bluebells, carmassia carpet the ground, to late summer when a crescendo of unusual planting explodes, the garden is constantly evolving.

A large collection of Hydrangea Paniculatas was planted over ten years ago which flower from June to October. A stone sculpture named Gaia, Goddess of the Woods by Viscountess Petersham was on loan to Fyvie Castle has now been placed at the end of the Sorbus walkway.

We hope you enjoy visiting and are transported into a magical and varied paradise.

Photography by Laurence Richardson and Viscountess Petersham,DL,