Scottish garden in spring

Spring Scottish garden

The bright flowers of a new season light up this Scottish garden hilltop, with views of countryside and spring colour as far as the eye can see

Scottish garden  and Scottish plants

It’s not hard to see why Chris Comben decided to leave the south of England for the wilds of Perthshire. The hillside home that he shares with his partner Linda Templeman looks out over uninterrupted views of the Carse of Gowrie and the waters of the Firth of Tay. The nearest town, Dundee, appears as just a sprinkling of white some nine miles in the distance.

Local people have various ideas as to the meaning behind his enchantingly named home, Tinkletop. Some
believe it’s the name of the hill on which the 1780s red sandstone cottage is situated; others say it comes
from the Scotch Gael word for ‘assembly hill’. Most agree, however, that Tinkletop’s garden is one of the
most beautiful for miles around.

Come spring, it is awash with colour. Rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias thrive in the slightly acid soil, and yellow and white daffodils gently nod in drifts. ‘Daffodils seem to do particularly well around here,’ says Chris. ‘People have grown them in the area commercially for years. I think it has a lot to do with the soil being particularly suited to them,’ says Chris. ‘Some naturalise really easily. Every 10 or so years, we divide big clumps of them, and find up to 300 bulbs growing together, which causes the plants to get smaller and smaller, and unable to flower. This is soon rectified by splitting them.’ Recently, he has started growing smaller ones and he particularly likes a variety called ‘Hawera’.

Scottish garden  and Scottish plants

 Scottish plants

Spring is the time of year when magnolias are in their prime, with Chris’ collection of 50 or so providing an
assortment of vibrant hues and delicious perfumes for several weeks. His favourite specimen, a 12m (40ft) tall Magnolia campbellii, starts off the spectacle, followed by species such as stellata and liliiflora. ‘I am obsessed with magnolias,’ Chris admits. ‘They have superb flowers in spring, and afterwards their foliage gives full value throughout the seasons. Cold weather is no problem at all - though last winter I had to take action against rabbits eating bark by putting tubes around their trunks.’

Closer to ground level, flowers such as hellebores, leucojums (snowflakes) and primulas hold their heads
high in a collection of island beds, and purple-hued aubrieta creeps along walls and through old staddle stones. The garden in full flower is certainly a wonderful sight for eyes accustomed to long dark Scottish winters, though Chris says Perthshire is not as susceptible to such extremes of weather as other parts of the country. ‘I lived in Gloucestershire for many years, but got a job in London, and then an opportunity came up to move to Scotland.

Scottish garden  and Scottish plants

I liked it so much that I stayed here. The views are spectacular. Perthshire is the nicest part of Scotland: it’s
not too populated, and where we are has a much nicer climate due to the water of the firth not being too far away. The garden is on a south-facing slope, which means we don’t get so much frost damage.’ Today’s garden is far removed from the scene that greeted Chris when he bought Tinkletop in the 1970s.

The house had not been lived in for 50 years and was encircled by a band of oak, ash, sycamore and elm, with grassland stretching up to the back door. Shortly after his arrival, the woodland changed dramatically with the tragedy of Dutch elm disease, which led to the destruction of some 250 trees here. For Chris, it was a sad loss, albeit with the silver lining that the demise of the elms opened up the views from the house
considerably, particularly to the west.

Scottish garden  and Scottish plants

He set about establishing his new patch by fencing off the 2.5 acres surrounding his home, to protect it from
farm animals. Chris then dug island beds, laying the areas surrounding them to grass, and planting scores of trees and shrubs. He has been particularly careful to select species that offer a little bit extra, such as red oaks and the striking Himalayan birch, Betula ermanii. A pond was dug around 10 years ago, and is now populated by water lilies and wildlife such as frogs and toads. As well as planting shrubs, trees and bulbs, Chris is an avid propagator, regularly striking cuttings and growing a number of annuals from seed.

Over the years, he has watched his garden develop and mature, continually experimenting with unusual varieties, and moving around various specimens if they don’t appear to be performing well. He is especially ruthless if he believes a particular plant is taking up space that could be inhabited by something that could give greater value.

Scottish garden  and Scottish plants

‘People told me that things like acers, lilies and magnolia wouldn’t grow here, but I’ve had no problems. I’ve even planted tree ferns in an old quarry at the side of the house: they were fine for several years, although the last winter was particularly cold and I lost some.’

Chris’ love of gardening stretches back to his youth, when he regularly assisted his father. Now retired from
his career in engineering, he devotes more than 20 hours a week to his plot, and is often joined outside by Linda. ‘I’m not a perfectionist,’ he says. ‘Mine is not a manicured garden. I just like gardening for its own sake - everyday, I am out here doing something.’

CHRIS COMBEN’S TOP GARDENING TIPS

• Don’t be a slave to what television shows tell you to do. Plant what you want, where you want, and don’t be afraid to experiment. All plants can be moved if they’re in the wrong place, as long as they’re not too big.
• Be adventurous: don’t just settle for the selection of plants at your local garden centre. Seek out nurseries offering a greater choice.

• The shapes of trees are very important. Make sure trees aren’t growing too closely together, or they won’t be able to grow into their own individual shape.
• Spare the spade and top dress island beds with mulch and manure that can be dragged down by worms. I think this makes the soil structure much better in the end.
• Experiment with magnolias. There are so many varieties and they are great value, whatever the season.

CONTACTS GARDEN TO VISIT

Branklyn Garden, Dundee Road, Perth PH2 7BB. Tel: 0844 4932193. www.nts.org.uk
Caerhays Castle, Gorran, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 6LY. Tel: +44 (0)1872 501310. www.caerhays.co.uk
Inverewe Gardens, Poolewe, Echnasheen, Ross-shire IV22 2LG. Tel: 0844 4932225.
www.nts.org.uk

RECOMMENDED NURSERIES

Bridgemere Garden Centre, Bridgemere, near Nantwich CW5 7QB. Tel: +44 (0)1270521100. www.bridgemere.co.uk
Glendoick Gardens and Garden Centre, Glencarse, Perth PH2 7NS. Tel +44 (0)1738860260. www.glendoick.com
Trewithen Nurseries, Grampound, near Truro, Cornwall TR2 4DD. Tel +44 (0)1726 883647.
www.trewithengardens.co.uk

Scottish garden  and Scottish plants

Tinkletop, Inchture, Perth PH14 9QS. Tel +44 (0)1828686561. The garden is open by appointment only - please call for visiting information.


PHOTOGRAPHS RAY COX WORDS SUE BRADLEY