rowallane garden

The impressive range of plants in this fifty-acre garden, notably its rhododendrons for which it is famous, have been skilfully grouped in the handsomely undulating site to create a charming, uncluttered effect that is as much a joy to the plantsman as to the artist. The groundwork of the garden was laid down by Reverend John Moore following the completion of the house in 1861. The avenue leading up to the house passes through much fine woodland, with arboreal rhododendrons and mossy rocks on either side and a series of idiosyncratic stone seats, cairns and ornaments built by Reverend Moore in the nineteenth century. The Walled Garden beside the house contains a splendid collection of flowering herbaceous plants and some excellent shrub roses. The outer Walled Garden, formerly a nursery area, provides shelter for a variety of hostas and a collection of hydrangeas. Passing through the Haggard area where the bursting seed capsules of a populus maximowiczii resemble snow in July and August, the visitor arrives in the Spring Ground. Wildflowers are encouraged and the area has a high content of devilbit scabious producing a beautiful blue haze in summer. The Pleasure Grounds - a lovely parkland that extends behind the house - are well worth a visit before leaving.