Branklyn

http://portal.historic-scotland.gov.uk/hes/web/f?p=PORTAL:DESIGNATIONS:0

Type of Site

This small garden of unique quality, redolent of the 1920s gardening trends, hosts a diverse, rare and unusual tapestry of plant material housed within terraces, trough gardens, rock and scree gardens and includes a dwarf rhododendron collection based on the seeds of the Forrest, Rock, Kingdon-Ward, Ludlow & Sherriff expeditions of 1923- 24.

Location and Setting

Branklyn Garden is situated on the outskirts of Perth, some 1.25 miles (2.1km) from the city centre. The A85(T) to Dundee runs along the western boundary, parallel with the River Tay beyond. The site adjoins an area of 19th century villas beyond which, to the east, Kinnoull Hill rises to a height of 728' (222m).

The garden itself stands at a height of 200' (61m) on a west and south-west facing slope which originally afforded good views to the River Tay and Ochil Hills beyond. In the last 50 years, the urban development of the city of Perth has become more dominant within this view. An overgrown hedge along the western boundary served to screen off these industrial and residential developments, as well as the noise of the traffic; this has been cutback recently. Soil conditions within the garden are medium loam over rock; this, along with the sloping aspect of the site, causes the soil to dry out quickly. Annual rainfall averages 30" and the area is susceptible to late frosts. The garden blends in well with the surrounding area.

The garden was originally established on 0.5 acres (0.2ha) of ground in 1922. Within the following few years, it was extended to its present size of 1.7 acres (0.6ha).

Landscape Components

Architectural Features

Branklyn House was built in 1922. It is a two-storey house with a terrace to the south which overlooks the garden. Several stone troughs stand on the terrace and ornamentation such as a sundial is incorporated within the design of the garden.

The Gardens

The garden was created in three stages following the construction of the house. Initially, a low wall and paved terrace was constructed around the house. Troughs on this terrace were planted with many interesting plants, most notably Cassiope wardii. The garden now hosts the National Collection of Cassiope for the National Council for the Conservation and Preservation of Plants and Gardens (N.C.C.P.G.). A rock garden was developed on the steepest slopes with running water incorporated to create a small stream with various pools. In this area were many specimens of Cupressus pisifera, C. leptoclada, and C. tetragona minima, as well as Abies balsamea var. 'Hudsonia', Picea excelsa pendula and many other dwarf varieties. Small deciduous shrubs were incorporated, including dwarf lilacs, Betula nana, Salix boydii and Daphne cinearum.

Screes of various types were also constructed, originally to the prescription of Reginald Farrer but experience later caused them to alter the make-up. Paraquilegia anemenoides was thought to be one of the best scree plants. Lewisias were well established and seeded themselves, thus creating many hybrids including L. Howellii, L. Finchii, L. cotyledon and L. columbiana.

In all, however, only around one quarter of the garden was given over to rock garden and scree, and the remainder was developed informally with grass paths meandering through the shrub beds. Peat blocks were built to edge borders and create walls.

The garden was once described as a 'tapestry' of plant material, each plant being interwoven to blend subtly into one another. Species incorporated were numerous; initially a framework of Pyrus, Prunus, Acer, Laburnum, Syringa and other shrubs was established. Thereafter, a collection of dwarf rhododendrons was begun, based on the seeds of the Forrest, Rock, Kingdon-Ward, Ludlow & Sherriff expeditions of 1923- 24. A detailed account of dwarf Rhododendrons at Branklyn was written by Dorothy Renton for the Rhododendron & Camellia Year Book in 1959.

Meconopsis was considered another outstanding genus at Branklyn. Numerous varieties were established, but of note is M. grandis var. Branklyn which was awarded a First Class Certificate in 1963 by the Royal Horticultural Society. Over 100 different Primulas were established, many of which were detailed in a paper to the National Primula & Auricula Society in 1980 by Head Gardener, Andrew Duncan.

All these plants were incorporated with the numerous other species since 1968, and the species range has further diversified. Trees of particular note in the garden were measured by Alan Mitchell in 1980 and 1983.