April is one of the busiest months for the gardeners at Cambo and possibly one of the most satisfying as they prepare for the coming season, planting seeds, taking cuttings, mulching and planting. As you will see, the greenhouses and frames are full of seedlings and plants – you are welcome to go in and have a closer look.
Opposite the potting shed in the woodland garden there are many interesting spring flowers – hellebores, pulmonarias and primulas weave their way between shrubs such as mahonia and ribes (flowering currant). Drifts of assorted narcissus help to lighten the scene and across the path towards the burn the colchicum meadow provides a lush green carpet of contrasting textures.
Within the walled garden the nepeta (catmint) walk is awash with bulbs – narcissus, anemones and erythroniums surrounding the fresh purplish leaves of peonies. The pale blue starshaped flowers are chionodoxa which selfseed freely and are one of the first bulbs to flower. The bulbs are used to add interest and extend the season before being covered by the pale blue of the nepeta later in the season. Also look out for the stunning trilliums in the far right hand corner.
Just over the bridge near the single glasshouse is Penny’s garden (Penny was Peter’s aunt and used to live in the house). This is currently under renovation but along with the glasshouse will form our alpine area. This year we have constructed a central raised bed area and a wide range of small treasures, which we are currently growing from seed, will be planted here next spring. This year we may plant it temporarily with annuals.
Across the burn from the summerhouse, which was renovated by a volunteer last year, we have the cut flower area which was completely redesigned last spring. We grew most of these plants from seed - it should be establishing itself this year and the gardeners will then evaluate it and make any necessary changes.
Adjacent to the cut flower area is our North American Woodland Project where we are currently planting the first phase of trees, shrubs and ferns and further planting will be completed next spring.
In the main greenhouse, a wonderful splash of colour is created by 26 varieties of tulips in pots with the magnificent centrepiece of Cestrum, a tender shrub with large red flowers.
The border at right angles to the greenhouses has always been a spectacular autumn border but this is being redesigned this year to have a traditional emphasis. It will include well-loved and familiar plants such as delphiniums and peonies and should peak in July and August.
Behind the long hedge of Prunus cerisifera, facing you as you go into the walled garden, is the main vegetable garden for the house which means that our wonderful vegetable potager can remain unscathed. All the seeds are currently in modules in the greenhouses.
We deliberately do not label every plant in an effort to retain an informal atmosphere but if there is something which particularly interests you and there is a gardener around please feel free to ask him about it. Alternatively if you email a digital photograph or description and rough position in the garden we shall happily reply.
Plants for Sale at the Potting Shed
We have a wide selection of interesting and unusual plants and shrubs for sale at the Potting Shed and also down at the main house in the courtyard round the back. There is always someone around in the afternoon Sunday to Friday inclusive to help you with your purchases, but if there is no-one on duty, please put money, or cheque, into the honesty box or come down to the office (Monday to Friday 10-4). We have also taken delivery of a supply of ‘Wee Green Pokes’, environmentally friendly bags, which you may wish to purchase (£1.00) to carry your plants home
Tea Room
Our ultimate aim is to have a tearoom and gift shop up at the stables, but in the meantime we have decided to try a self-service tea room off the courtyard at the back of the house where you can help yourself to tea, coffee or a soft drink and a biscuit, paying in the piggy bank on the table.
The sheep in the park are Jacob sheep working hard demolishing our thistles and they have also provided wool for the ‘odd’ garment.
Volunteers
Our pigs work for their keep by clearing the ivy smothering the snowdrops. Helen and Emma, the ginger Tamworths, had 12 piglets between them in January. We are about to take delivery of a limited edition of 12 Wemyss Ware plates with twelve pigs dancing round them from Griselda Hill in Ceres and these will be on sale in our Snowdrop Gift Shop.
Snowdrop Gift Shop
The Snowdrop Gift Shop with our interesting selection of snowdrop and pig merchandise and cards is open Monday to Friday 2 – 4 pm, although we are happy to open it up during office hours if required and it will be open on Sunday, 29 April, when we are holding a Spring Plant and Craft Fair in conjunction with Scotland’s Gardens Scheme. Visiting nurseries and craftspeople will be joining us between 12 and 4 when soup and rolls will also be available. The chosen charity for the day is Diabetes UK.
Scottish Snowdrop Festival
VisitScotland launched the Scottish Snowdrop Festival at Cambo on 31 January, which saw over 60 venues throughout Scotland coming together to market their snowdrops, allowing visitors to plan tours and visit small private gardens as well as extensive woodlands. At Cambo, the star attraction of our annual art exhibition was a wonderful snowdrop patchwork quilt which we have now purchased and can be viewed in the tearoom. Renowned garden photographer, Andrea Jones, joined us for a day to take a most enjoyable and instructive Photography Workshop, we had a photography competition, and RHS snowdrop walk and of course our usual Snowdrop Fair and Study Day when participants got the opportunity to purchase our more unusual snowdrops before they went on sale to the public at large.
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