Monteviot Gardens in the Scottish Borders provide a stunning foreground to the backdrop of the beautifully winding River Teviot and the rolling hills beyond. They consist of a number of distinct gardens, each leading to the next, designed to display interesting and special plants, extraordinary colour, and innovative ideas. They are open to the public every day from 1st April to 31st October 12pm to 5pm. There is a great variety of daffodils in the spring, striking displays of fretilaries, a large collection of interesting and specialist shrubs and trees, and a constant imaginative use of water features to complement the river below. We look forward to your visit!
The Arboretum
Originally an early Victorian Pinetum it later included interesting broadleaves as well. Over the years gales wrought their damage but it has recently been replanted with specialist species to create a genuinely interesting collection of trees in a peaceful part of the outside of the gardens. In the spring it provided consecutively great carpets of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells.
The River Garden
Structurally designed in 1960 by Percy Cane leading down to a landing stage on the River, it contains a collection of differing herbaceous borders which are a mixture of the conventional to unusual plantings all designed not only for their own interest but for the overall colour which they present as a foreground leading down to as well as presenting different aspects of the River. The impressive stretch of lawn leading down to the river is however its main feature.
The Laburnum Tunnel
After exiting the main river garden, the visitor passes through the Laburnum Tunnel especially created for the Millenium. Looking back, the stone turret of the main garden viewpoint is perfectly framed by the tunnel and gates. Another opening in the centre of the tunnel frames the river Teviot below. The route then continues through semi woodland filled with woody plants by way of a Victorian teahouse to the oriental style Water Garden.
The Winter Garden
Designed and planted in the last decade, the plants are selected to provide the most vivid colours in the winter but also a vibrant and lush private garden in the summer. In the spring, a dramatic Fretilary bank leads visitors towards the house. The garden is based on a careful selection of Cornus, Helibores, Witch Hazel and Korean Pines within a structure composed of Silver Birch, Tibetan Cherries and Poplars.
The Rose Garden
Within a Victorian walled area it provides in June and July an impressive selection of different types of roses. It is probably the warmest and most sheltered part of Monteviot gardens and in the summer the scents are almost intoxicating. It also provides varying views of the river.
The Garden of Persistent Imaginaton
The latest of the gardens using imaginative stone structures and specialist plant selections is designed to break out if the conventional into something more modern. It is intended to provide space for quiet meditation and contemplation of the combined effect of plants and stones. It will take a little time for the plants to develop and for it to come into its own.
The Sorbus Avenue
On the top side of the steps is a bed of Hydrangea Paniculata and on the lower side, a bed of Weigela Victoria which has three Prunus Pissardii Nigra trees planted in a chevron to replicate the three stars of the Lothian Family Crest. Below the Weigela bed the sloping grass bank has been planted with a selection of specialist trees, underplanted with Spring Fritillaries. In autumn the sorbus avenue is complemented by a hydrangea and spirea border fronted by any avenue of deep blue agapanthus.
The Water Garden
Based on an old fresh water spring and wet area including a now defunct Victorian ice house it is now a Japanese styled water garden with four curved bridges linking three islands and providing an arena for interesting wet are and water plants. It grows impressive Himalayan poppies and golden flag lilies, and the gentle sound of running water makes it the most peaceful area of the Gardens.
The Dene Garden
A series of four ponds, two bridges and a causeway built along the bed of a long-dried up stream it provides a location for a number of interesting planting schemes based on the reality of running water. It is very different to all the other gardens and is very seperate from them although at the top of them it is possible to see once again aspects of the River which remains the key to the gardens as a whole.
The Herb Garden
Situated between the two wings of the original part of the House, it is bordered with Lavender and grows within its Victorian designed box hedge lay-out herbs which are used by the House for cooking. In early June it is framed within a dramatic cascade of Albertine roses climbing the walls of the House.
The Compass Garden
Created to commemorate the wedding of The 13th Marquis of Lothian’s eldest daughter Lady Clare in 2010, the Compass Garden provides a space to sit and contemplate. For those visitors finding themselves momentarily lost amongst the meandering paths of the Arboretum, Dene and Water Gardens, the Compass Garden is the perfect place to reorientate oneself in peaceful meditation.
