Tag: Benmore Botanic GardenPage 2 of 3

What the label tells you

Here Alan Bennell explains the information on the plant labels.

Benmore arboretum trail

Explore Benmore’s Arboretum and find out more about the trees and the native wildlife you might see and hear during your visit.

The Pond

The pond was created by Piers Patrick (1861-1870), with the bronze fountain of the Boy with Two Dolphins being added by James Duncan (1870-1889).

Hillside Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons form an integral part of Benmore’s history. They were one of the main drivers for finding a West Coast garden, as the conditions and space at Inverleith were not suited to the numerous new species that were being bought back by Forrest, Wilson and Rock.

Bhutanese Glade

Staff on an RBGE seed collecting expedition to Bhutan in 1984 were inspired to create a microcosm of the Bhutanese mountains at Benmore.

The Fernery

The fernery was built in 1874 by James Duncan, at a time when Victorian Britain was gripped by fern fever.

Hilltop Viewpoint (and William Wright Smith memorial shelter)

The hilltop view point is sited at the highest point of Benmore (137m above sea level) and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Holy Loch.

Courtyard Gallery

The Courtyard gallery offers a diverse range of activities throughout the year.

Pucks Hut

Pucks hut was designed by the Scottish architect Robert Lorimer as a memorial to Isaac Bayley Balfour – the man who first thought of creating a West coast botanic garden.

Garden Features – Benmore Botanic Garden

In a magnificent mountainside setting on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll lies Benmore, an enchanting Garden steeped in history and surrounded by dramatic scenery.

Alerce

Here Peter Baxter introduces you to Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides).

Swamp Cypress

Here Alan Bennell introduces you to the Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum).

Silver Fir

Here Alan Bennell introduces you the Silver Fir (Abies alba).

Bishop Pine

Here Alan Bennell introduces you the Bishop Pine (Pinus muricata).

Coastal Redwood

Here Alan Bennell introduces you to the Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), the tallest trees on the planet.

Japanese Cedar

Here Alan Bennell introduces you to the Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica).

Glen Massan

Here Alan Bennell introduces you to Glen Massan, between the foot of the Bhutanese Glade and Chilean Rainforest Glade you will find some of the largest trees in the garden.

Scots Pine

Here Alan Bennell introduces you to the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), Scotland’s native conifer.

Hiba Cedar

Here Alan Bennell introduces you to a conservation planting of the Hiba Cedar (Thujopsis dolabrata).

Oriental Spruce

Here Alan Bennell introduces you to the Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis).