Summer Visit - 2015
Tom Smith's Garden + Cruickshank Botanical Gardens
Tom Smith's Garden, Rublislaw Den North, Aberdeen
Our annual outing took place on 22nd July.
The day started very well with a visit to Dr Tom Smith’s truly wonderful garden.
Tom, a physicist, has been a passionate gardener all his life and has designed gardens for other people/organisations. Unfortunately, he was unavailable to show us around on the day but had arranged for us to be guided by David Atkinson who talked about the history and evolution of the garden. He explained Tom’s vision for the garden which has evolved over the past 50+ years into what it is today. David was also on hand to answer our questions in a very interesting and knowledgeable manner.
The day started very well with a visit to Dr Tom Smith’s truly wonderful garden.
Tom, a physicist, has been a passionate gardener all his life and has designed gardens for other people/organisations. Unfortunately, he was unavailable to show us around on the day but had arranged for us to be guided by David Atkinson who talked about the history and evolution of the garden. He explained Tom’s vision for the garden which has evolved over the past 50+ years into what it is today. David was also on hand to answer our questions in a very interesting and knowledgeable manner.
The one acre garden is quite breathtaking and is delightfully split into various areas in the most natural way, following winding paths from a central lawned area. There was lots to keep us interested as we wandered through the woodland garden amongst cloud-pruned trees to a restive shady grove planted with bamboos sitting next to a secluded pool. The curved perennial border adjoining the lawn had a great selection of colourful and unusual plants.
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Amongst the lovely elements of the garden was a ‘sky telescope’ circle of poplars and we were asked to look to the sky when standing in the centre of it. You can see the effect here. A border tracked the evolution of primitive plants from mare’s tail to flowers and we were delighted by an unusual box plant serpent which meandered around the paths and plants. We strolled happily through the evolution garden, the science garden and a Japanese inspired area
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A border tracked the evolution of primitive plants from mare’s tail to flowers and we were delighted by an unusual box plant serpent which meandered around the paths and plants. We strolled happily through the evolution garden, the science garden and a Japanese inspired area. There were surprises along the way, not least of which were the various stones inscribed with equations and latin words. Although there were 22 of us exploring the garden, by it’s very design, it was easy to hide away from one another.
Lunch at Gordon Highlanders Museum
We then adjourned to the Gordon Highlanders Museum for a delicious, beautifully presented lunch as well as a meander around its lovely, tranquil garden which Tom Smith played an instrumental part in both its design and development.
We then adjourned to the Gordon Highlanders Museum for a delicious, beautifully presented lunch as well as a meander around its lovely, tranquil garden which Tom Smith played an instrumental part in both its design and development.
Cruickshank Botanical Gardens
Then it was off to the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens, sometimes known as The Secret Garden of Old Aberdeen where the Curator, a very enthusiastic and committed Mark Paterson, guided us around this beautiful and peaceful four acre Garden. The garden is a partnership between the University of Aberdeen and the Cruickshank Charitable Trust. |
The ‘Botanics’ had no curator for 25 years and Mark has been instrumental in regenerating the gardens since he joined the team in January 2012. Ongoing changes to the gardens include opening up new vistas, research beds becoming accessible by the public and increasing public events |
The garden comprises shrub borders, a rock and water garden, sunken garden, a rose garden which is gradually being reinstated, herbaceous border and an arboretum.
It also houses a nationally important collection of over 2500 labelled plants.
Fortunately the weather was kind to us and a good day was had by all.
All our thanks go to Jane for her seamless organisation which contributed to making our day such a wonderful affair.
We know she’s already working hard to plan the outing for next year.
Cheers!
All our thanks go to Jane for her seamless organisation which contributed to making our day such a wonderful affair.
We know she’s already working hard to plan the outing for next year.
Cheers!