Mellerstain will be hosting three special open days to celebrate the garden and grounds at their finest. In February carpets of snowdrops spread throughout the grounds, followed by the glorious colour of rhododendrons and azaleas at the end of May, and finishing with stunning autumn colours in late October. 100 acres of mature parkland, formal gardens and lakeside walks set off this Robert Adam masterpiece. The formal gardens to the south of the house were designed in 1910 by Sir Reginald Blomfield in an Italianate style sympathetic to the earlier 18th century layout. These beautiful terraces with herbaceous borders and yew trees lead to lower terraces via a cryptoporticus, and then a sweeping expanse of lawn descends to the lake. Among the sturdy oaks and majestic beeches in the north parkland, you’ll find an enchanting tiny thatched cottage discreetly tucked away with its own parterre garden. A map is available of the woodland and lakeside walks, picnic spots are available and the cafe is open during the summer season. Look out for the Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep too!

The visitor to West Leas can share in an exciting and dramatic project on a grand scale, one that is constantly growing and evolving. A feat of liquid engineering, with a cascading stream contrasting with slow water pools. At its core is a passion for plants, allied to a love and understanding of the land in which they are set. Collections of perennials and shrubs lighten up the landscape to magical effect. The lily pond and woodland planting was added in 2019 and a courtyard garden links to the humidity controlled garden rooms housing a collection of exotics .  

The Granary (Catherine Henderson): An acre in size, laid out over last few years and now beginning to mature, with an outstanding view of the Borders hills and countryside. Differing heights of stone terraces give structure. There are many trees, shrubs and diverse range of perennial herbaceous plants plus various collections of non flowering plants, including grasses, pinus, cornus and picea, giving an extensive range of colour, textures and foliage.The Steading (Helen Kemp & Paul Grime): A wildlife friendly garden, run with permaculture principals, with distinct areas featuring herbaceous borders, ponds, meadow and wildflowers, vegetable garden and orchard, glasshouses and polytunnel. We started here in 2005, with only six mature trees in place.

A recently-redeveloped walled garden in the grounds of the Marchmont Estate. Run as a space to inspire creativity as part of the Hugo Burge Foundation, a newly-formed arts charity based in the Scottish Borders. The garden contains herbaceous borders, a kitchen garden, a colonnade, wildflower meadows, cut flower borders, a sculpture collection and newly restored Mackenzie and Moncur glasshouses.

The former county town of Duns retains a thriving market square and is home to an award-winning museum dedicated to Formula 1 Champion, Jim Clark OBE. There are extensive green areas in and around the town offering delightful walks all year round. After three hugely successful years of opening our gardens we had a break in 2024 but have decided to open again in a different month, July, to show the huge variety of our gardens. They are lovingly tended by keen gardeners, happy to share them with fellow enthusiasts. They offer a wonderful variety of size, layout and planting, ensuring that there is something for everyone, from small courtyards to extensive shrub areas, vegetable gardens, pond areas and magnificent lawns. Come and enjoy spending the day in Duns, visiting the beautiful gardens and exchanging ideas.

The garden at Larch House is constantly evolving. Extending to over three acres and building on a layout, design and planting by the previous owners, further landscaping and renovation is ongoing. It includes a terraced area of vegetables and cut flowers edged by fruit trees, several mixed borders surrounding a lawn, a large natural wildlife pond and a newly-planted bog garden. The garden leads into a mixed wood planted about six years ago where meandering paths, sometimes steep, lead to extensive views of the Cheviots. Many of the paths are gravel and may prove difficult for wheelchairs.

The charm of Old Melrose lies in its idyllic setting - a woodland peninsula surrounded on three sides by the River Tweed, the site that St Aidan chose to build a monastery in 640AD. With a wonderful array of plants, trees and wildlife, come and explore this conservation focused estate and connect with nature in its beautiful surroundings. A one-mile signed walk will be laid out through the private grounds taking in stunning viewpoints, wonderful mature specimen trees, riverside trails and a view of the 19th century summer house standing high above the river. Stop to contemplate on the spot where a chapel once stood dedicated to St Cuthbert. Finish in the Victorian walled garden where teas will be available. The garden features three distinct areas: a small orchard with bee hives, perennial wildflower planting and fruit, vegetable and flower beds. Be sure to say hello to the friendly Boer goats, the rare breed pigs and the free roaming chickens.

Charming Scottish Victorian garden set in parklands in the foothills of the Cheviots. This well-established garden includes a traditional walled kitchen garden, well stocked with fruit, vegetables and cutting flowers, including dahlias, gladioli and annuals. There is also a formal box parterre rose garden with old-fashioned early roses, long borders and terraced lawns around the Victorian house and medieval peel tower. The gardens are approached via an attractive woodland walk with lime avenue.

Mellerstain will be hosting three special open days to celebrate the garden and grounds at their finest. In February carpets of snowdrops spread throughout the grounds, followed by the glorious colour of rhododendrons and azaleas at the end of May, and finishing with stunning autumn colours in late October. 100 acres of mature parkland, formal gardens and lakeside walks set off this Robert Adam masterpiece. The formal gardens to the south of the house were designed in 1910 by Sir Reginald Blomfield in an Italianate style sympathetic to the earlier 18th century layout. These beautiful terraces with herbaceous borders and yew trees lead to lower terraces via a cryptoporticus, and then a sweeping expanse of lawn descends to the lake. Among the sturdy oaks and majestic beeches in the north parkland, you’ll find an enchanting tiny thatched cottage discreetly tucked away with its own parterre garden. A map is available of the woodland and lakeside walks, picnic spots are available and the cafe is open during the summer season. Look out for the Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep too!

Mellerstain will be hosting three special open days to celebrate the garden and grounds at their finest. In February carpets of snowdrops spread throughout the grounds, followed by the glorious colour of rhododendrons and azaleas at the end of May, and finishing with stunning autumn colours in late October. 100 acres of mature parkland, formal gardens and lakeside walks set off this Robert Adam masterpiece. The formal gardens to the south of the house were designed in 1910 by Sir Reginald Blomfield in an Italianate style sympathetic to the earlier 18th century layout. These beautiful terraces with herbaceous borders and yew trees lead to lower terraces via a cryptoporticus, and then a sweeping expanse of lawn descends to the lake. Among the sturdy oaks and majestic beeches in the north parkland, you’ll find an enchanting tiny thatched cottage discreetly tucked away with its own parterre garden. A map is available of the woodland and lakeside walks, picnic spots are available and the cafe is open during the summer season. Look out for the Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep too!

A series of differing gardens displaying rose and herbaceous plants surrounded by foliage plants. A water feature linked by bridges and falls passes through the Dene Garden and Water Garden. The Garden of Persistent Imagination is planted with rose and clematis beside paths which meander across a bridge and under the Moonstone Gate, past the Dali-style clock.

A traditional, hedged, Scottish family garden with an interesting combination of sculpture, herbaceous plants, shrubs, annuals and fruit. It is surrounded by fine specimen trees, which provide remarkable shelter. In the grounds of Bughtrig Gardens is the recently opened Admiral Ramsay Museum, which has been created in memory of all who served at D-Day, Dunkirk and during World War II.

The gardens are situated within the grounds of Floors Castle. Meander through to the formal Millennium Parterre and soak up the spectacular visions of colour, texture and the most delicious scents around the four herbaceous borders in one of the finest Victorian kitchen gardens in Scotland. Features include perennial gardens, fruit cage, Tapestry Garden and glasshouse access as well as the Terrace Cafe, Apple Shed Gift Shop and Deli and children’s play area. Explore the grounds, which offer woodland and riverside walks from May to the end of September.

The three acres of Ruthven’s garden have lovely views towards the Cheviots. The garden’s central feature is two ponds joined by a winding stream. The garden is composed of various differing areas - herbaceous borders, woodland areas, a gravel garden, a knot garden, rockeries, an orchard laid to meadow, a kitchen garden, a highland garden, a nuttery, a small lavender field, a shade bed to the back of the house and, adjacent to the house, a formal rose garden. A small fold of Highland cattle in the adjacent field complete the scene. The garden is constantly evolving but this year we will not be having an open garden day to allow for a sustained period of development and renewal. Visitors by arrangement, as ever, will be very welcome.

The garden at Broomhill is on the northern side of Greenlaw, comprising half-an-acre of spring colour nestled between village and farmland. The garden is maintained by a passionate plant collector featuring narcissi, tulips, meconopses and hundreds of other flowers. The collection has been developed along informal lines with treats at every turn. A radiant display of blooms that changes through the year is intended not only for the visual pleasure of the garden but also for the house with cut flower arrangements as well as produce for the table and larder.

Thirlestane is a large informal garden. There is a walled garden with colour-themed borders and an orchard with many old varieties of fruit trees. In front of the house prairie planting is surrounded by high beech hedges. The young nine-acre wood has trees and shrubs selected for autumn colour and for decorative bark and fruit. These include Persian Ironwood, Golden Rain Tree, Scarlet Oak, Monarch Birch, Himalayan Birch, Tibetan Cherry, Chinese Hawthorn and various maples.

Lennel Bank is a terraced garden overlooking the River Tweed, consisting of wide borders packed with shrubs and perennial planting, some unusual. The water garden, built in 2008, is surrounded by a rockery and utilises the slope, ending in a pond. There is a small kitchen garden with raised beds in unusual shapes. Different growing conditions throughout the garden from dry, wet, shady and sunny, lend themselves to a variety of plants and enhance interest in the garden. 

An unusual, elliptical walled garden, dating from 1740, with a mixture of flowers, fruit and vegetables. A very old pear tree, possibly dating from the 18th century, and the largest rose in Berwickshire, Rosa filipes 'Kiftsgate'. A wide variety of roses and herbaceous borders.

The visitor to West Leas can share in an exciting and dramatic project on a grand scale, one that is constantly growing and evolving. A feat of liquid engineering, with a cascading stream contrasting with slow water pools. At its core is a passion for plants, allied to a love and understanding of the land in which they are set. Collections of perennials and shrubs lighten up the landscape to magical effect. The lily pond and woodland planting was added in 2019 and a courtyard garden links to the humidity controlled garden rooms housing a collection of exotics .  

The garden at Larch House is constantly evolving. Extending to over three acres and building on a layout, design and planting by the previous owners, further landscaping and renovation is ongoing. It includes a terraced area of vegetables and cut flowers edged by fruit trees, several mixed borders surrounding a lawn, a large natural wildlife pond and a newly-planted bog garden. The garden leads into a mixed wood planted about six years ago where meandering paths, sometimes steep, lead to extensive views of the Cheviots. Many of the paths are gravel and may prove difficult for wheelchairs.