Gardenig in city Aberdeen. Tips & Guides

Dactylorhiza Elata, a hardy Orchid that grows in Aberdeen

Thalictrum Aquilegiifolium Album is particularly robust

Iris Reticulata Harmony

Clematis Perle d Azur from the Jackmanii group is simply sensational.

Hamamelis Mollis revisited today when at its very best

If you happen to be searching for a narrow growing conifer and feeling a little undecided in your choice, I think I have found just what you are looking for. Taxus Baccata Fastigiata Robusta Many gardeners opt for the Italian Cypress, however in my experience here in Aberdeen it simply is not hardy enough.

The Toad Lily Tricyrtis Hirta is a most unusual plant with small exotic looking flowers and hairy green leaves.

Fothergilla Monticola a shrub which I was not familiar with

Surprisingly, even way up north in Aberdeen the garden still holds on to a Summer look at the very end of September, and with an improvement in the weather, lets hope for an Indian Summer.

The Prunus Kiku-shidare-zakura (Cheals weeping) has been in the patio area of our garden for close on twenty years. This small weeping cherry has only reached a height of seven feet in all this time, making it well and truly ideal for the small garden

Lilium Regale Album is one of the Chinese species, pure white with yellow stamens and  a fabulous heady perfume. It is the earliest white to flower, grows well if planted directly into the border or in containers

 The Daffodil Jetfire, one of the best Dwarf varieties.

Magnolia Stellata

The Callistemon which I had seen in Aberdeen in the past was clearly a one off fluke, I would not recommend it as a hardy plant for the North East. However I will give it one more try as a container grown plant which I will over Winter in the unheated greenhouse.

Rosa Mundi an exquisite old Rose with a history going back many centuries.

Alstroemeria Princess Paula with a little cosseting will grow in the cooler climate of Aberdeen

 The Japanese Anemone Honorine Jobert is often described as the best white variety available, I have to say it is quite spectacular.

Thinking of planting roses, why not give the old varieties a try. Our favourite is the Portland Roses. Amongst this group are to be found not only some of the finest of old roses but also some of the most useful.They are all continuous or repeat flowering and of accommodating proportions. They can

Roses in Aberdeen generally grow well. I have found some of them in the past to be a bit of a hit or a miss. 

Hydrangea macrophylla, commonly referred to as mophead, was seen in recent times as being unfashionable. I never did pay any attention to that sort of nonsense so lets say no more about it.

The Abutilon below, I had great difficulty finding which one it is. Finally I have traced it, and it is indeed Abutilon x Suntense.

Wisteria Sinensis Prolific. This climber is fully hardy, however if you want it to flower in the North East of Scotland, Plant it in a sunny sheltered position.

Cimicifuga Racemosa Atropurpurea new name Actaea

The Viticella group of Clematis has to be regarded as amongst the best of climbing plants

See how Dicentra Formosa Aurora and the pink form performs in our Aberdeen garden.

This macrorrhizum Geranium grows on you after a while. The flowers may not be knock out but nevertheless on closer inspection they are indeed very pretty.

The main content of my posts is to hopefully give information on plants and shrubs which are fully hardy in the North East of Scotland. I have been gardening for many years in Aberdeen. Often I have been made aware of other amateur gardeners in the area concerned that plants which thrive south of the border may in fact struggle in Aberdeen. In my experience most of them will in fact grow, however they may be at least a full fortnight later in coming in to flower. Of course there are some which grow in the far south of England which simply will not survive here. What you can depend on is, I will give information on how each plant which I list has performed in our garden.

Acer Griseum, absolutely outstanding

My intention is to provide a profile of plants which are fully hardy in the north east of Scotland,which of course means they will be hardy in all parts of the country. However there are several which borderline the hardy agenda, which to a certain extent we have still had a degree of success.

Sarcococca Humilis (Sweet Box) flowering in our Aberdeen garden in February.

The Tender Trap

Auricula, an evergreen primrose found in the mountainous regions of Southern Europe. Perhaps requiring a little cosseting, but well worth it.

Lilium Longiflorum, also known as the Easter Lily

The Lily Tiger Woods,  big, bold, colourful, reliable and a right show off.

Whether you are planting up a new garden or redesigning borders please don’t turn up your nose at the ornamental grasses.

 In your garden you may be surrounded with multiple shades of green from your trees, shrubs, plants and lawn. Fair enough