Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Specific Families and Genera => Rhododendron and other Ericaceae => Topic started by: TC on May 01, 2013, 10:02:09 PM

Title: Benmore 1 May
Post by: TC on May 01, 2013, 10:02:09 PM

As the weather had been decent for the past few days, we thought we would catch up with the flowering at Benmore.  After two poor years, this looks a good one.  Many plants had been held back with the cold early Spring but now everything seems to be coming out.
As I have posted so many pictures in the past, I have just gone in for general views.  I cold not be bothered with carting my SLR and various lenses with me so all the pictures were taken on a featherweight Coolpix which I find difficult to use. As I am very long sighted, I cannot focus on the viewing screen and the reflections also obscure my view.  The definition of point and shoot -and hope- seems a good description here !

Title: Re: Benmore 1 May
Post by: TC on May 01, 2013, 10:10:50 PM

Five more

Title: Re: Benmore 1 May
Post by: TC on May 01, 2013, 10:13:02 PM

Another 5

Title: Re: Benmore 1 May
Post by: TC on May 01, 2013, 10:14:54 PM

More yet

Title: Re: Benmore 1 May
Post by: TC on May 01, 2013, 10:16:41 PM

Nearly there !

Title: Re: Benmore 1 May
Post by: TC on May 01, 2013, 10:17:54 PM

Last few !

Title: Re: Benmore 1 May
Post by: johnw on May 03, 2013, 12:32:59 PM

Tom - Last night I tried to send a thank-you for the Benmore tour but the SRGC site was frozen.  Wonderful to see the garden.

Good to see nicely spaced specimens.  Have they thinned?

johnw

Title: Re: Benmore 1 May
Post by: David Nicholson on May 03, 2013, 01:17:52 PM

Nice tour Tom, many thanks.

Title: Re: Benmore 1 May
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 03, 2013, 01:38:54 PM

Fantastic images, Tom !
Thanks for the walk !  8)

Title: Re: Benmore 1 May
Post by: TC on May 03, 2013, 02:36:42 PM

John
The woods have been thinned by "nature".  We have had  hurricane force winds in the last few years which have ripped through some of the largest trees at the top of the hill (about 500' high).  This has given large areas to plant up new tree specimens collected by staff in Japan and Tasmania.  I believe the Botanics in Edinburgh has given them a new batch of Rhododendrons to plant up in the newly opened spaces.
Although it is sad to see some trees come down, it has allowed daylight to flood the area which will be to the advantage of new plantings.
Some of the Magnolias are so large that they are flowering at the top and cannot be photographed - even worse, we could not smell them !
All the west coast gardens will be at their best in the next two weeks and we will have to make an effort to go round - knees and hip joints permitting !
I took this picture 5 minutes ago from my window.  The RH. are starting to flower.   Elizabeth is looking really good this year.