Explorers Garden, Pitlochry

[Matt T]

Our visit to The Explorers last week was a little earlier than when I popped in last year at the end of June (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11210.msg308266#msg308266). The swathes of Primula florindae and P. alpicola that will soon fill the drystone walled garden with their scent were barely in evidence yet. However, there were plenty of plants interest in the garden, Julia Corden's exhibition of photographs from the Falklands and Patagonia and as this was Patrick first visit plenty to learn about those great Scottish plant explorers. Here are a few impressions:

The unfurling leaves of Hydrangea quercifolia are dramatic and structural
Towering tree paeonies, we'll call it Paeoia ludlowii perhaps? The currently correct name is confusing me with all the synonyms (lutea, delavayi etc) at various taxonomic levels
Jeffersonia dubia on the peat bank
Primula auricula
Wonderful, large clumps of Trillium throughout the garden, such as this T. grandiflorum

[Matt T]

Rhododendron were of course in evidence, including this stunning R. saluenense R. lepidotum
Rhododendron (Ledum) groenlandicum
Primula chungensis were bright and abundant whilst Primula chionantha sinopurpurea had a musty, almost unpleasant scent.
Having just caught the last Meconopsis in flower last year, we were just in time to find the first unfurling this year. Perhaps next year well catch the full display?!

[Maggi Young]

Super picture of the meconopsis escaping from the bud - like an emerging butterfly 

"Rhododendron were of course in evidence, including this stunning R. saluenense" - I think that this is a Rhododendron lepidotum , Matt.

[Matt T]

I think that this is a Rhododendron lepidotum , Matt.

Thanks, Maggi. I looked at so many Rhodo's last week it's all a bit confuzzling! Is this the same as you have in the front garden, Maggi?

[Maggi Young]

No Matt, my favourite rebloomer in the front garden is R. saluenense chameunum 
I've got various coloured R. lepitdotum in the back garden but  only a hybrid is flowering so far.

[Matt T]

Thanks. I'd noted that one down correctly. Phew! 

Superficially they look similar, but some clear differences on closer inspection. Another plant genus to explore and learn so much more about.

[Matt T]

Super picture of the meconopsis escaping from the bud - like an emerging butterfly 

Thanks! I like the way that the light in this pic allows you to really appreciate the silken quality of the petals.

[Yann]

Nice photo, i love the sweet Jeffersonia.

[Maggi Young]

Explorers' Garden open this Sunday 7 June for Scotland's Garden Scheme
http://www.scotlandsgardens.org/gardens/garden/173b0b7c-649f-4b5a-a7ec-99a500d10e60



 Happily the Meconopsis are still standing after the recent srtorm - this is M. 'Slieve Donard'

[Maggi Young]

The other day the Explorers' Garden  posted this message in Facebook:

"Happy #InternationalVolunteersWeek!

We'd like to send a MASSIVE thank you to our incredible team of over 40 volunteers have logged an impressive 3,800 valued hours in the Garden in the last year!

If you have two to four hours a week to spare and you'd like to meet like-minded people, get some physical exercise or guide visitors around Explorers garden – we'd love to hear from you!"  Website  here.



What a great job the Explorers' Garden Team does - congratulations to them all!

[Maggi Young]

Spring has started at The Explorers Garden in Pitlochry.  Open every day until 31st October http://www.explorersgarden.com


This is a very dark form of Primula denticulata

'In Search of the Blue Poppy: Bhutan'
A photographic exhibition by Julia Corden, Explorers Garden Manager.
Sponsored by the Scottish Rock Garden Club - The exhibition opens in April 2016 in the David Douglas Pavilion in Explorers Garden.

[ian mcdonald]

I saw a sign for the garden from the main road and then there were no more signs.

[Maggi Young]

Head for the Pitlochry Festival Theatre Port Na Craig, Pitlochry,  PH16 5DR  - it shares a car park with the Explorers Garden.

 Also  http://www.explorersgarden.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=90

[Maggi Young]

The  Explorer's Garden  opens tomorrow for the new season - already the plants are growing well....
 pictures from garden manager Julia Corden




Modern day Plant hunter and garden manager Julia Corden  also  presents the photographic exhibition in the garden's David Douglas Pavilion this year - "The American Dream"

more plants from the garden

[Maggi Young]

 A  pic from the Perthshire Advertiser yesterday about Julia's exhibition at the Explorers' Garden - sponsored by the SRGC