Inverewe Garden

Inverewe Gardens

A pond in Inverewe Garden

Inverewe Garden is a botanical garden in the Scottish Highlands. It is located just to the north of Poolewe in Wester Ross, and is noted for the breadth of its collection.

The garden was created in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie on the 850 hectares (2,100 acres) estate bought for him by his mother. The original Inverewe Lodge was destroyed by fire in 1914 and replaced in 1937 by the current Inverewe House. The Garden covers some 20 hectares (49 acres) and has over 2,500 exotic plants and flowers. There is a further 2,000 acres of land managed for recreation and conservation. The garden and estate has been the property of the National Trust for Scotland since it was given to the Trust along with a generous endowment for its future upkeep by Osgood's daughter Mairi Sawyer in 1952.

The garden continues to be developed by the small but dedicated garden team and is a riot of colour from April through to late Autumn. In the spring Inverewe is celebrated for its rhododendron collection which begin flowering in January and carry through most of the year. In summer the walled garden and borders come into their own with many exotic plants from all over the world which grow here thanks to the influence of the North Atlantic drift (Gulf Stream). Even in winter Inverewe is colourful as the bark of many rhododendrons is beautifully and delicately coloured and the collection of native and non-native trees add to the variety. Highlights include the most northerly planting of rare Wollemi trees.

External links

• Inverewe Garden information at the National Trust of Scotland