Brodick Castle Walled Garden

Published on by Catherine

This week’s Six on Saturday features Brodick Castle’s walled garden on the Isle of Arran, Scotland (not to be confused with the Aran Islands, Ireland – home of my favourite winter sweaters!). Last year we had promised our grandson a ferry trip to Arran, but last summer’s weather was so awful that we couldn’t risk going over and getting stuck .

This year…what a difference. The sun shone during every day of his visit and early one morning, off we went. We left the car behind, and when the ferry berthed in Brodick we caught the local bus to the castle (gone are the days when we would walk!). We had arranged for a taxi to pick us up for the return trip in time to catch the late afternoon ferry, but in hindsight we should also have taken a taxi on the outward trip. I hadn’t been on Arran since before the pandemic and had forgotten the long trek uphill to the castle (made so much harder with the heat that day). My knees are still in recovery.

This is the view of the bottom section of the walled garden, taken from the path in front of the Castle.

Lower section of the Walled Garden, Brodick Castle.

Brodick Castle. I left my husband to take our grandson round the castle as I’ve been inside numerous times in the past. I headed down to the walled garden to spend some time there. Just me and my camera.

Brodick Castle

Eucomis and Asters. This isn’t a combination that I would have thought of, but it works for me. I love the rust-coloured grasses in the background.

Eucomis (pineapple lily) and asters

One of the lawns with Eucomis, Asters, and a splash of red roses. The purple asters featured throughout the borders and it impresses upon me that I really must make an effort to add some to my own garden.

A vibrant walled garden at Brodick Castle featuring lush greenery, blooming purple asters, and tall Eucomis flowers in the foreground, with a gazebo visible in the background under blue skies.
The tall Eucomis flowers lead the eye to the little gazebo – a good place to find shade on a hot day.

Tall and impressive Cardoons. Several clumps of Cardoons were growing in the beds and borders. The second photo gives the impression of a jungle background that suits these impressive plants.

  • Exotic-looking Cardoons
  • with a jungle backdrop

Red Rose with a background of Asters. I always try to avoid photographing in full sun, it’s too harsh for most floral subjects, and even worse at midday. That day, there was no choice.

Roses with a soft purple background

Erigeron karvinskianus. Tumbling through the handrail on the steps, it was perfectly at home.

Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican fleabane)

Japanese Anemone. I found this lovely little combination of pink and white Japanese anemones in a part-shady corner next to a gate leading to one of the woodland walks.

Japanese Anemones blooming in soft pink and white shades, nestled in a shady corner of the walled garden.

The circular patio at the bottom of the gardens was a nice place to rest before hiking back up to the castle – then downhill to the cafe for a sweet treat and an ice cold drink!

Mixed planting on the walled patio, with benches for tired visitors.

Agapanthus. Finally, for me, the star attraction. Large clumps of Agapanthus were dotted around the grounds, looking heathy and perfectly at ease with their surroundings.

  • Agapanthus
  • with the warm hazy colours of tall grasses

Yes, I know. I’ve gone over the allowed Six photos. Perhaps I can claim that they will make up for the two weeks that I’ve missed? 🤔

Lately, I’ve had no free time to spend in my garden. We’ve enjoyed some nice warm/hot sunshine, but no rain for weeks. Some plants are hanging in there surprisingly well, but the roses and heleniums? Ohh, they’re really struggling. Finally, over the past few days, the rain has come pouring down like a waterfall, onto soil that was seriously in need of that soak. I can already see the garden bouncing back. More rain is on the way and that will hopefully fill up our reservoirs and rivers again.

Today I’m planning to take some rosemary cuttings, and must hurry before the rain arrives around lunchtime. I really hope you liked this little sneak peek at Brodick Castle and the gardens – I should be back next week to show some plants that have survived the hot, dry conditions in my garden!

If you’re new to Six on Saturday, perhaps you’d like to pop over to our host’s website at Garden Ruminations where you will find many other plants and flowers on show.

Have a lovely weekend, and enjoy your gardens!

Catherine x

18 thoughts on “Brodick Castle Walled Garden”

  2. Brodick Castle looks wonderful, such beautiful gardens and expertly photographed, despite the midday sun.
    It’s interesting you mention that your heleniums haven’t liked the drought, mine haven’t either and yet Monty Don last night was saying how well his had coped!

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    1. Thank you, Helen. I noticed the same as you last night – and wondered how that could happen. I’m sure that the weather in Monty’s area would have been hotter and drier than in my location, and yet his heleniums were looking great.

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  3. This castle looks magnificent! And in the sunshine please… Having good weather in Scotland may not be guaranteed every time. It is said that it rains often, but perhaps I’m wrong. The photos you took are superb and really highlight this lovely garden where I’m sure you must have spent some time.

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    1. You’re not wrong, Fred. Yes, it rains a lot, and often, especially here on the west coast. Visitors should always have rainwear with them – even in summer! This summer has been such a lovely surprise, but perhaps that’s the way it’s going to be… 🤔

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  4. Lovely garden visit, thank you for taking us with you! Lots of planting combinations to admire, everything looks very happy, I think they must have had plenty of rain, but not the day of your visit.

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    1. Thank you, Pauline. The soil in the castle garden was very dry, much like mine. It’s strange how well some plants were faring (perhaps the gardeners were doing some spot-watering!) Arran’s weather is almost identical to my area. I can see the island from my window and depending on the way the wind is blowing, I can see rain moving towards us. When the peaks of Goatfell are white with snow or frost in the morning I know to put on a heavy sweater and boots before going out! 🤣 It can be a great visual weather forecaster!

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  7. Oh, thanks for sharing some highlights from your trip to Brodick Castle and gardens. What a lovely setting! The tall Eucomis and the Cardoons are impressive. I think I remember the latter being referred to as Artichoke Thistles. They are fun plants, and the shape and lavender color are fabulous. Happy Six on Saturday. 🙂

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    1. I believe that cardoons are also edible and used mostly in Mediterranean cuisine, Beth though I haven’t ever come across them on a menu when abroad.

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  9. The gardens and castle grounds look lovely Catherine. I really love that romantic combination of asters and roses, and the grasses in the background too. I often wonder how these gardens that are open to the public manage to keep everything looking pristine – no signs of wind damage or singed leaves like in my garden! We finally got some rain – hope your garden has had a good soaking too.

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    1. Like most prominent gardens, they possibly have a team of willing volunteers to help the gardeners. And yes, the rain has arrived here in abundance! Good to hear that your garden soil is soaking up that much needed rain.

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