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"Dear Paradise"
Over 100 years ago, Queen Victoria was so
enchanted by the serenity and haunting loveliness of Deeside - her "Dear Paradise" - that after Balmoral Castle was built for her in 1855, she made it her holiday home. Set in 30,000 acres of mountains
the pine forests on the banks of the River Dee, it is still used as the summer residence of the Royal Family. They enjoy the seclusion of Balmoral and regularly attend the local parish church of
Crathie. |
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The Woodland Garden
The Woodland Garden consists of 6 acres
and features 100-200 year old Scots Pines, Douglas Firs, Yews, Beeches, etc. These and other trees form a dramatic background for a spring and early summer riot of mature Azaleas and Rhododendrons
which produce a splendour of colours and scents. These include excellent specimens of Rhododendron wightii, R sutchuenense, R hunnewellianum, R "moonstone", R Loderi, R "Elizabeth Lockhart", Azalea
lutea and many other spectacular Rhododendron and Azalea species and varieties. Numerous Late Victoriana Harry and Clara Mangles hybrids form spectacular, mature bushes and there are vast banks of the
ubiquitous R ponticum |
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Inchmarlo boasts many other mature and spectacular plants and trees such as Acer griseum with its cinnamon coloured bark. In the spring there
are carpets of Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) and snowflakes (Leucojum vernum), or early and late varieties of daffodils and wild wind flower (Anemone nemorosa). Later in the year Primulas, Himalayan and giant poppies
provide splashes of colour among the trees and shrubs. |
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Rare and unusual species have been collected over the years, especially by Colonel and Mrs A Bowhill, who owned the estate immediately
after the Second World War.The Keyhole Garden
The Keyhole Garden is bordered by a hedge of purple Prunus cerasifera and provides shelter for colourful herbaceous borders. |
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The Lawns
The Lawns provide a foil for a range of
interesting specimen trees such as Cercidiphyllum japonicum, a large mature copper beech, monkey puzzle trees, Douglas Firs, etc.The Oriental Garden The Oriental Garden designed by Peter Rogers,
a Chelsea Gold Medallist, is situated within the houses and flats of Queen Victoria Park and features a dry slate stream and interesting plantings introduced by David Hutton, Head Gardener at Inchmarlo from
1987 - 2000. |
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