Fodderty Lodge

13/06/2026

The rose.

Giving months of pleasure, this blush pink rose can bloom even into late November.

Long, healthy stems are trained to run horizontally and pruned so that small stubs are produced at each bud joint. These then produce vertical sprouts which end up with buds and then flowers.

Prune those stubs annually to about 2" and they will produce flowers all year long.

Don't forget to deadhead!

11/06/2026

The garden is singing!

I love these allium karativiense - they are a dwarf allium with huge white globes, and pop up amongst the greenery. Keep to the front of the bed or they'll get overwhelmed.

The peonies have started flowering, but got smashed in the rain, so will photograph the next batch.

I have a pretty pink iris popping up, contrasting with the purple spikes of lupins and yellow/burgundy bearded iris. The purple lupins stand out against the red campion (which shouldn't be there but the bees love it!).

Happy gardening 🪏

05/06/2026

Horse chestnut.

This year is the first year it has flowered. And its first chestnuts have appeared 🥰. The previous owners planted it as a sapling, so it must be at least 10 years old.

Did you know that horse chestnuts communicate to pollinating insects?

They exhibit a reverse traffic light system for bees: new flowers have yellow parts that turn pink or red after pollination. This is a signal for bees that the flower is empty and to move onto the next flower.

Amazing!

30/05/2026

After the bluebells we have another amazing, and rare, scene.

Under our ancient lime tree, there's a particular hardy wintergreen flower that tends to flower under lime trees in estates in The Netherlands. This is the naturalised Flore Pleno Granulata Saxifraga - a double meadow saxifrage or Fair Maids of France or Haarlem Chimes.

I know we have a fan of this plant overseas - hopefully he can visit us one day 🥰

28/05/2026

Bluebells ❤️

Each year we are gifted the beautiful sight of a mass of bluebells under the ancient sweet chestnut in our garden.

A mix of English and Spanish varieties, some have hybridised and created white and sometimes pink variants. Although we'd prefer just native species, the mass of colour and flowers attracts pollinators nevertheless.

More bluebells are now blooming on the sides of Knockfarril, visible from the garden (hard to photograph).

20/05/2026

Our anthemis is putting on an amazing display and is a gift that keeps on giving.

From a couple of stems given to me by a friend, it's multiplied and with more propagation, has turned into this wonderful sight.

It survives our chilly Highland winters and in May, it recovers and produces 100s of flowers from silver grey foliage. Keep deadheading and it will last until October/November.

Must remember to pot on a few stems for our next home ❤️

09/05/2026

Opening times for Castle Leod ❤️

As spring unfolds at Castle Leod, the bluebells are beginning to come into bloom across the grounds 🌿🏰

We next open to the public on **15 May**, and look forward to welcoming visitors once again for the 2026 season.

Our remaining open day dates for the year can be found below — we hope to see some of you at the castle over the months ahead!! ✨

26/04/2026

THE TULIPS ARE BACK!!!

We planted over 500 white tulips and about 60 reds under our cherry and apple trees 3 years ago.

Amazing display in first year, 2 tulips in their 2nd 🤔, and now about 200 in their third 😍

Please take photos and share if you are walking along the path from Fodderty Cemetery to the The Peffery Way, An t-Slighe Pheothair.

Enjoy!

05/01/2026

Happy New Year from Fodderty Lodge ❤️

A proper start to winter with about 3" snow so far. A Winter Wonderland out there.

Refreshing walk at Silverbridge too.