Many of our garden plants and ideas come from Asia especially Japan and China and Ardmarnoch has many species of that region, from the tree Cryptomeria Japonica, to stately Japanese Anemones and Paeonias. There are many more of course and they can be seen when walking around the grounds. We would be happy to answer queries and point out plants of interest. With a population of over 1500 species of plants from all over the world there are bound to be some queries?

This year we are expanding our vegetable production with the aim of achieving a level of self-sufficiency in vegetable supplies. Throughout the height of the season there will be vegetables for sale to guests staying at the holiday cottages.

As well as the woodlands, described elsewhere, Ardmarnoch has an exquisite area of garden; the walled garden, shrubberies and various borders. 10 years ago these areas were derelict; the walled garden was a rubbish tip and a bog! The gardens had been developed in the 19th century and we have benefited from the remaining walls, tracks and trees; but the last gardener had left by the 1960's.

We have largely restored the walled garden incorporating 100 yards of herbacious borders, shrubs, climbing roses, a new greenhouse with grapes and peaches, vegetables and soft and tip fruit. Various mixed borders have been developed around the walled garden and the visitor houses. We have planted over 200 roses, over 100 varieties of daffodils (including many ancient varieties), hydrangeas, azaleas, camellias, rhododendrens, and over 50 varieties of peonies- amongst many other plants.

Our approach to planting is to raise as much from seed as possible, to propogate what grows well and then plant in large numbers which is required by the scale in which we are working.

Visitors will find flowers, in season, in the houses but please ask for more. Vegetables can be purchased depending on the season and availability.