Our Garden

Seasonal Update - Autumn

Autumn is certainly here with the colours changing on the trees after a frost a couple of nights ago.  Of course the leaves are falling quicker than they can be swept up.  They are used to make leaf mould.   We still have colour in the borders and the sedums have been very popular with the bees.  The birds are taking advantage of the later sunrise, which had been spectacular on the colder mornings.  Next years bulbs are currently being planted so that will be worth looking forward to coming out of the winter months.  Gladioli have not done as well as normal or the plums, I think that is done to the mix of hot cold and wet weather!  No entry in the flower show this year but there is always next year!  The weeds are certainly getting fewer and easier to come out!

P.S The leaves have fallen  quicker than normal this year but still more to be swept up.  Very heavy rain fall is delaying the general garden tidy up.  Since the clocks have changed  I think the best option is a wee dram by the fire.  We have had two sightings of a red squirrel recently.  This may be down to the beech masts which appear on the copper beach tree every 5 to 8 years.  So plenty of rich pickings for them.

Highland Spirit Bed and Breakfast garden is always changing.     We aim to have a least something is colour all year round.  This is a challenge in Dufftown although it may be wet or very dry we also have the wind to contend with.

Snowdrops are followed by crocus, grape hyacinth, early, late and double headed tulips in a variety of colours, primroses, drumstick primula and of course not forgetting the daffodil.  There are some Balvenie daffodils which flower in May.

By May providing we have not had too much snow, a late frost or the deer over indulging the perennials will be showing healthy signs of growth.

The rhododendrons are in full bloom late May and into June.  New ones were planted in 2017 so an even better display is expected in the coming years.

Whisky Mac roses were planted as bare root at the end of 2016.  They come into flower in July and also have a lovely sent.

Lavender and Buddleja are attracting the bees in August and September.  Last year I was sure it was the same 5 bees that came back every day to the lavender in the stone trough.

Summer bedding  is often petunias and antirrhinums lasting well to the first frost.

In autumn the copper beach tree puts on a magnificent display. The dog wood loose, their leaves but leave behind red and green stems. The sedums are still flowering and when you go out first thing in the morning the bees are still sleeping on them.

In November new Spring bulbs will be planted and of course the leaves need to be gathered for leaf mould to be used in the garden in a few years time.

In December Helleborous come into flower and continue to do so for many months.

This is just a little taste of what our garden has.  We hope you will be able to come and stay at Highland Spirit Bed and Breakfast and see for yourself.

The last word is left to weeds as they can be found in the garden whatever time of the year!

We hope you enjoy our garden and any tips are always welcome.

Green Ethos

Here at Highland Spirit we do our bit to help the environment:

• Food miles are kept to a minimum using local shops where possible.
• Our food is well managed so nothing has to be thrown away.
• We make compost from the fruit peelings, teabags, coffee grinds and garden waste including the leaves.
• Packaging, glass & plastic bottles, tins, newspapers, cardboard, and bags are all recycled. Please leave them next to your bin for us to recycle.
• Change from plastic to wooden cotton buds.
• Karen will line dry bed linen and towels. Scottish weather dependant of course.  Towels and bed linen are not automatically change.  Please leave your towels in the shower if you wish them to be changed.
• All our appliances are A rated and above.
• Low energy light bulbs are used. Lights are switched off in rooms when not required.
• Our lamp post lights on the drive all use solar power.
• The walls and the roof have been insulated.
• Optimal heating and hot water systems have been installed.
• Our log burner burns left over whisky staves and compressed shavings from the vat making process. The ash is then returned to the garden.