Springtime in Scotland is one of the best times to visit us. The colours are blooming all over the country. Many special gardens are ablaze with rhododendron like these in the stunning Benmore Gardens just a few miles from Dunoon in the amazing Argyll area.
Benmore Gardens
These special gardens lie on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and are well worth a visit any time of the year. However, in Spring and early summer, they really come to life along the trail in this 120 acre site. The gardens are well known for their magnificent and dramatic Redwood Avenue at the entrance which was planted by the owner Ross Wilson in 1820. These were the first Scots Pine and other conifers planted in the Cowal Peninsula. This avenue of giant redwoods was under careful remedial management when we visited in May 2023 so we look forward to strolling beneath these giant trees on a future visit.
The Pond
This was a perfect place for a picnic lunch as we enjoyed the serenity of the pond and its plants and ducks. The bronze sculpture "A boy with two dolphins" dates back to 1875 when much of this huge estate was first planted.
Rhododendrons Galore
Benmore is home to 300 species of rhododendron and with the extensive space available on this wild mountainside the gardeners and botanists who create, and look after, this special place can let them achieve the size they would in the wild. They provide colour throughout most of the year. One of the most magnificent examples came from China in 1912.
The Fernery
The Ferns and Fernery Trail at Benmore Gardens has a collection of 142 species from all over the world. We enjoyed the climb through exotic ferns to the surprisingly lovely Victorian Fernery. Although it had fallen into disrepair in the 19th century, it was lovingly restored around 2008.
Originally, in the 1800's, the fernery would have been heated by a boiler, but today this Category B listed building has the Argyll sunlight streaming through the glass roof, creating a special atmosphere and home for a wide diversity of ferns.
Ferns
With everything from Fiddlehead Ferns (Ostrich Ferns) to the Doodia media Rasp Fern which was collected in Tasmania in 2009 sends out pink fronds in full sunlight, it is a complete delight.
No matter which part of this wonderful garden is your favourite, just like us, you will want to come back for more! We offer this wonderful visit on any of our tours in amazing Argyll.
