Escape from the Granite City

This week I was working in Aberdeen, the Granite City, so called because every building is made in grey granite. It gives the city a distinctive look all its own, certainly, but it can be a little unrelenting, especially if you crave some colour. Just a short drive away, through some lovely countryside, I discovered a wonderful place to visit. It's called Pitmedden Garden, a National Trust property. The garden is laid out in formal parterre style, and looked after beautifully. The original design was made in 1675, and was re-created in the 1950's by the NT. It's about half a mile from the village of Pitmedden, so there's little passing traffic, meaning peace and quiet in which to really enjoy the garden, flowers,birds and insects.

This formal garden features over 5 miles of box hedging. I feel faint at the thought of cutting that lot into such impeccably neat and intricate patterns.

All around  were long avenues of grass paths, some plain like this one, light and springy to walk on

And some with long borders....this one is entirely planted with lupins

Tree lines surround each section of parterre

and dissect the garden too

 These lovely espalier apple trees were trained on the high surrounding walls. There are over 80 varieties of apple growing in the garden!

My highlights from the many wonderful flowers to be seen;

glowing red peony

                                                                                                  Meconopsis - blue poppy

And this gorgeous iris complete with sleeping bee

 

There are old statues 

and fountains

As I sat near this water feature, 2 little birds flew around near me, having a great time swooping around the hedges ( too fast to be captured in photo; I tried, but to no avail, I'm afraid).

The gardens have an 'Alice in Wonderland' quality about them,  such a tranquil and atmospheric place;  all one can hear is birdsong, insects buzzing, the sounds of a gardener working and teacups tinkling in the tearoom in the distance (no Mad Hatters thankfully). I had the gardens to myself almost all of the time I was there. Bliss!

At the gate, I noticed  this lovely paving

Made with love, as all gardens should be.

. 

Comments

[Jennyff]

What an immaculate garden, it must be so labour intensive I don't suppose you will be trying a paterre at home. I love the hearts, such a nice idea, wish we'd done that when we block paved our drive.