GaGrAdReDnENoOfF theTwHEeWekEEK rries Holly – the great survivor

In winter Cambo comes into its own with its interesting mixture of woodland walks and late-season naturalistic plantings. The highlight for visitors is several vibrant winter gardens designed to showcase the National Snowdrop Collection. Cambo’s snowdrop collection is complemented by a series of winter gardens showcasing seasonal bulbs, wonderful winter interest trees, shrubs and textured plantings. The early flowering snowdrops bloom from late autumn, with many in flower in December, ultimately reaching a crescendo for the Scottish Snowdrop Festival in February and March.

The well-planted, 2.5-acre walled garden allows visitors to enjoy enchanting views from many different areas of the gardens. Ethereal vistas through the late season naturalistic grassy plantings add to the winter interest. The roaring waterfall of the Cambo Burn in the walled garden is beautifully framed by a giant weeping willow, charming tea house and iron-clad bridges.

The recent restoration of Cambo’s historic stables, dating from the 1760s, has created a vibrant visitor hub including a cafe, an ethically sourced shop featuring local suppliers and regular exhibitions. Cambo’s plant sale shop expands in the winter, allowing visitors to enjoy a mixture of bulbs and shrubs showcased in the garden. The mail-order snowdrop business is also run from the buildings, supplying Cambo’s accredited snowdrop, snowflake, aconite and wild garlic bulbs “in the green” to customers throughout the UK.

Managed by the Cambo Heritage Trust, the gardens support a new generation of trainees, volunteers and modern apprentices in horticulture.

Website: www.camboheritagetrust.org.uk Telephone: 01333 451040

Admission costs: £5.50 for adults, children and carers go free. RHS members free entry on Wednesdays. All visitors to Cambo Gardens can enjoy half price entry during December. Opening times: Every day 10am-5pm

Garden of the Week is in association with Discover Scottish Gardens. For more information, advice and day-out ideas, visit discoverscottishgardens.org

Red and yellow are the usual berry colours, although white and black-berried varieties have been reported