Benmore Gardens

Visit Benmore Visit Benmore Botanic Garden Botanic Garden

Magnificent Mountainside Garden Magnificent Mountainside Garden & World Renowned Plant Collection & World Renowned Plant Collection

Surrounded by dramatic scenery, Benmore’s 120 acres are home to a superb Surrounded by dramatic scenery, Benmore’s 120 acres are home to a superb collection of plants from the Orient and the Himalaya to North and South America. collection of plants from the Orient and the Himalaya to North and South America. Its avenue of giant redwoods is arguably one of the finest entrances Its avenue of giant redwoods is arguably one of the finest entrances to any botanic garden. to any botanic garden. Victorian Fernery | Refreshments | Gift Shop | Plant sales Victorian Fernery | Refreshments | Gift Shop | Plant sales

Admission*: Adult £7.50 | Concession £6.75 | Under 16s go free Admission*: Adult £8 | Concession £7 | under 16s free go free Admission*: Adult £7.50 | Concession £6.75 | Under 16s go free

*Includes small voluntary donation to the Garden. *Includes small voluntary donation to the Garden.

On the A815, 7 miles north of Dunoon on the Cowal Peninsula, Argyll PA23 8QU On the A815, 7 miles north of Dunoon on the Cowal Peninsula, Argyll PA23 8QU Tel 01369 706261 Tel 01369 706261 || rbge.org.uk/benmore rbge.org.uk/benmore

Photograph: Rachel Keenan Photography

This time of year is perfect for an amble through the profusion of flowers, foliage and fragrance at Benmore Botanic Garden.

Located at the gateway to the Loch Lomond and the

Trossachs National Park,

Benmore’s renowned rhododendrons bloom all the way through August. But the star of July’s show is eucryphias, with splashes of white fountains among the lush greenery. Desfontainias also take centre stage in mid-summer due to the abundance of blooms against the backdrop of heather-covered mountains.

Summer flowering trees and shrubs burst into a riot of colour and fragrance. American snowdrop, Oriental snowbells and the striking epaulette tree, festooned in perfumed white bells.

With more than 3,000 plants of around 300 species, Benmore is famous for its rhododendron collection. However, its West Coast setting also makes the garden particularly suitable for collections from Bhutan, Chile, Japan and Tasmania. On sunny days in spring, magnolias are spectacular pink and white against blue sky between the Viewpoint and The Golden Gates. Colour is not just for blossom. Rhododendron barbatum produces plum-coloured flaking bark and Rhododendron thomsonii a striking gold and sea-green peeling bark and vivid red flowers. Young shoots bring sharp freshness to evergreens. Visit the Tasmanian Ridge and look out for a shock of brilliant new leaves of red and bronze produced by the myrtle beech, Nothofagus cunninghamii, fragrant with Pieris japonica at this time of year. The Fernery was built in the 1870s at a time when Britain was gripped by “fernmania”. With the restoration of the fernery, a part of Benmore’s history has been brought back to life. It gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the history and life-cycles of ferns and to admire their intricate and diverse beauty. Make sure you find the time to visit our magnificent grade-A listed Golden Gates.

Benmore is suitable for all ages and is a great day out for the family. Keep an eye out for the garden’s resident red squirrels who are likely to make an appearance. Admission costs Adult £8 | Concession £7 | Under 16s free go free. Prices include a small donation to the garden.