December 11, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
529 
FLOWER GARDEN. 
Much as I had heard of the beauties of this garden it came upon me as 
a great surprise. The view from the terrace is a most impressive one, and 
is fairly pourtrayed in the accompanying woodcut (fig. 80), but both the 
photographer’s and the engraver’s arts are inadequate to the exact repro¬ 
duction of its beauties. The one feature which immediately takes the 
attention is the bold patches of colours, not in diminutive and complicated 
geometrical patterns, but in oblong or diagonal blocks of considerable size, 
but so arranged that the whole constitutes a most symmetrical and har¬ 
monious design. It is only, however, from the upper terrace or from the 
tower near the entrance to the Castle that the attractions of the gardens 
can be fully perceived and appreciated, for in descending to the level we 
lose the general symmetry. The flower garden comprises about 10 acres, 
of an oblong form, protected on the north side by terraces which rise 
some 40 or 60 feet above it, and on the south by a dense hedge of Portugal 
Laurels and Bays, and beyond this the Park rises to a good height, 
through which facing the terrace a handsome vista has been cut, as is seen in 
the centre of the figure. The general plan of the garden is a combination of 
the French, Dutch, and Italian styles, and was laid out early in the ITth 
century und.er the direction of John the second Earl of Perth, who is reported 
contrast with this were some broad marginal bands of Dactylis glcmerata 
elegantissima, the prettily variegated foliage of which contrasted most 
effectively with the Dahlia. Ageratum Lady Jane, a very bright blue, 
freely flowering, and dwarf variety, is similarly employed in large quanti¬ 
ties, Myosotis azurea, Mimulus Harrisoni, and the bright clear yellow 
Calceolaria amplexicaulis constitute the principal of the other plants, 
which are grown by thousands for massing in the situation named. 
Nearer the terrace were mixed beds of Galtonias and single Dahlias, 
which had a beautiful effect, the white flowers of the former, which grew 
very strongly, rising above and contrasting with the rich dark scarlet 
Dahlia blooms. Tuberous Begonias thrive admirably, and are so highly 
appreciated that they will be more largely grown in future seasons. 
Some fine beds of Gladioli were very attractive, and similarly beautiful 
were the beds of Anemone japonica alba. It will thus be seen that the 
beauty of the garden rests upon the massing of effective colours, and the 
result is perfectly satisfactory and unique. 
A large portion of the space between the walks is occupied with ex¬ 
tensive groups of variegated shrubs of all kinds, golden and silver Conifers 
being numerously represented. These are very beautiful and appear to 
colour admirably, some of the golden Yews being especially notable in 
Fig. 8'J.—Flower garden at drummond castle. 
to have been an extremely learned and accomplished gentleman, and who 
spent most of his younger days in France. Two broad grass paths extend 
across the garden diagonally from opposite corners, intersecting in the 
centre where an old and remarkable sundial with fifty faces is placed. 
Alono^’each side of these turf paths, which are kept as neat as the closest 
attention can render them, and which look at a distance more like rich 
green velvet than grass, are the principal flowerbeds, oblong in form, and 
in some cases 10 or 12 feet long, occupied with bold masses of herbaceous 
plants, such as Aconitums, Phloxes, Golden Rod, Lythrums, and others of 
similar character, each bed being devoted to one kind only. Then near 
the central walk and at opposite corners of the garden are corresponding 
borders of ordinary bedding plants, mostly of simple form—oblongs, 
squares, diamonds, or circles, and these furnish a wealth of rich 
colours, which at the time of my visit were at their best. Very remark¬ 
able were some grand beds of a dwarf Dahlia, which formed masses of 
glowing scarlet, such as could be employed in few gardens with the same 
effect as it is at Drummond. It is very dwarf and compact in habit, 
being about 18 inches to 2 feet in height, and produces its large rich 
scarlet blooms of the show type in great profusion. Mr. John Robb, the 
exnerienced gardener in charge, sets a high value on this variety, and 
grows annually about 3000 plants of it. The variety, it is said, originated 
in the district, and has received the expressive name of Rising Sun. In 
this respect. Another important feature is formed by the conical or 
cylindrical specimens of variegated Oaks, Box, Irish Yews, Hollies, and 
Thuiao, which are kept very closely trimmed, and are so regular in form 
and height that they more resemble vegetable columns than trees. They 
are, however, well in accord with the general character of the garden, as 
are also the numerous statues suitably placed in the shrub groups, and 
serve to enlighten the appearance considerably. 
The terrace walls, which cannot be seen in our engraving, are well 
clothed with climbing plants, amongst which the Tropasolums are parti¬ 
cularly remarkable. The charming T. speciosum is exceptionally luxu¬ 
riant, and would gladden the eyes of numbers of its admirers who try in 
vain to ensure its success in England. This plant is said to have first 
flowered at Drummond, and the walls during the summer months are 
festooned with its abundant scarlet blooms. T. pentaphyllum also grows 
and flowers freely, together with a good and varied collection of Clematises, 
Jasminums, Lophospermums, Maurandyas, Rhodochitons, and many others. 
These are trained in perpendicular lines, so that the walls appear at a 
distance as if striped from base to summit with varied shades of scarlet, 
crimson, purple, blue, &c. 
The kitchen garden occupies about four a’res of ground beyond the 
flower garden, and sloping to the south. The upper wall has a fine aspect, 
well suited for fruit trees, and it is intended to plant a number of Peach 
