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Garden Name: Glenarn
Last Modified: 09/02/2010
Garden ID: 0461

pic: 0461_Glenarn.jpg

Owner: Michael Thornley
Address:
Rhu
Helensburgh
Dunbartonshire
Postcode: G84 8LL
County: Scotland

tel: 01436 820493
fax: 0141 221 6834
website: www.gardens-of-argyll.co.uk
email: masthome {at} dsl.pipex.com

Features: 
Glenarn is a West Coast garden with a world famous collection of Rhododendrons, Magnolias and other ericaceous plants. Set in a steep sided glen, the garden has a Himalayan character, but also has a pond, rock garden and vegetable patch as well as bee hives. Re-construction of potting shed, cold frame and shade house to be completed shortly.

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
21st Mar - 21st Sept; Dawn to dusk.

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
March - June
April
August

To see: 
Rhododendrons
Tree magnolias
Eucryphias

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: Yes
Comments: Special Open day under Scotland's Garden Scheme on first Sunday in May.

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: Specialist

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Adult £4; Child (over 5 years) £1.50; Over 60s £1.50; Season £20 (by arrangement)

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: No
Disabled Access: No
Shop: No
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
All Catering by prior arrangement and Guided Tours on request. Partial access for the disabled.


Designer: The Gibson family
Description of Garden:
This sheltered woodland garden overlooks the Gareloch and is well-known for its collection of rhododendrons, many of them rare and difficult to grow in less well-protected locations. Its trees, shrubs and beautiful magnolias, with a carpet of snowdrops, daffodils, crocus and primulas below make for a delightful walk in Spring. Later on in May, the Magnolia wilsonii with its upside-down flowers and lily of the valley scent and magnolia globosa are not to be missed. Other magnolias, such as hypoleuca, flower in June.


History: 
The House at Glenarn was built in the late 1830's and soon after the garden received plants from Joseph Hooker's 1849-50 expedition to Sikkim, notably the Rhododendron falconeri at the side of the house. The garden was extended by the Gibson family over the following 50 years after they acquired the property in 1927. The plant hunting expeditions of Kingdom Ward and Ludlow & Sherriff provided a great many plants as did other major gardens in Scotland. The Thornley family arrived at Glenarn in 1983 to find much to be done to restore the gardens to their former glory and then to extend their scope still further, work which is continuing.

Local Inns: 
Clachan Inn, Drymen (20m. W. of Stirling)

Accomodation: 
Ardencaple Hotel, Rhu
Rosslee Hotel, Rhu
Commadore Hotel, Helensburgh

Restaurants: 
Le Jardin, Helensburgh

Village/Town/Sightseeing: