

Killearn Cottagers' Horticultural Society


Open Gardens | 2023
Updated: 10 August 2023
Well we’ve added up everything and double-checked it twice and it looks like nearly 450 people paid for a map to see the eight open gardens of Killearn on 30th July (see below).
Although that means we raised more than £2600 for charity on ticket sales alone, due to the generosity of Allister Ferguson who donated all £800 of his takings from his woodwork craft stall and Killearn Tennis Club who served homemade teas and cake throughout the day, together with the Plant Sale takings of over £500, it means that the amount going to the chosen charities is well in excess of £4000.
The Horti committee are therefore very grateful to everyone who contributed to the day, whether they are garden owners and their families, the ones who put up all the signs, the tea servers and cake makers, the growers of the plants, all the people that help set up in the village hall and car park, the volunteers who staffed the plant sale and ticket gazebo, the Scotlands Garden Scheme team and everyone else who helped make the day a success.
It was a fantastic effort by all and it is very satisfying to know that Colourful Killearn, Strathcarron Hospice and the charities of Scotlands Garden Scheme will benefit.
Meanwhile, the Horti’s next event is the Annual Show on Saturday 26 August and we look forward to seeing you all there!
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"Your very generous donation from the proceeds will be of tremendous help in continuing to brighten up the public spaces in the village"
Mike Gray, Treasurer, Colourful Killearn writes:
“On behalf of Colourful Killearn I'd like to thank everyone associated with the Open Garden day in Killearn for nominating us as one of the beneficiaries. Your very generous donation from the proceeds will be of tremendous help in continuing to brighten up the public spaces in the village. We will be holding our AGM in a few weeks time, when we can decide how to spend the money to best advantage.
“The day itself seemed to be a great success, with lots of visitors who all appeared to enjoy the gardens on offer. Certainly the plant stall did a roaring trade, and even the weather was kind! I hope we can assist again with any repeat of the event in years to come...
Many thanks
Mike Gray
Treasurer, Colourful Killearn
Jackie Johnston, Fundraising Manager at Strathcarron Hospice writes:
“On behalf of everyone at Strathcarron Hospice, I am writing to thank Killearn Village for raising this very generous donation of £1,228.61 when eight gardens across the village were open under the Scotland's Gardens Scheme, on 30th July. Please also extend our thanks to everyone involved with the plant stall, Killearn Tennis Club and Alister Ferguson.
“You have allowed our Doctors, Nurses and Multi-Disciplinary Team to give the best end of life care to people when and where they need us most, and this could cover the cost of 51 hours of specialist nursing care here in the Hospice building. We really couldn't care for people when they need us without groups like yours donating to us.
“Our ethos is to help people to live well, right up until the end of life, and thanks to people like you we really can make this possible.
“Thank you all for your continued support of Strathcarron Hospice. It really means the world to us.
Yours sincerely
Jackie Johnston
Fundraising Manager
Strathcarron Hospice
Sunday 30 July 2023
11am-5pm
Start at the Village Hall car park, Killearn
Eight Killearn gardens, large and small, will be open to the public on Sunday 30 July, as part of the Scottish Garden Scheme.
The Horti committee has been planning the Open Garden day for more than 18 months and wanted to take part in the Scottish Garden Scheme (SGS) to help raise money for local charities and to offer villagers the chance to display their gardens to the public.
On Sunday 30th the idea is to start at the Village Hall by buying a ticket and map for £6 (free for children) and tour some or all of the eight open gardens listed, which will be open from 11am until 5pm.
Some of the gardens have a fine collection of Acers and water features, others have relaxed sitting areas and beautiful mixed borders. Some have been redeveloped utilising raised beds or have been transformed through lockdown. Two of the gardens have even won prizes.
Homemade teas will be served, courtesy of the Tennis Club, at the Village Hall from 11am and a plant sale will take place in the car park at the same time.
Over the last five years SGS has raised more than £1million for charities and on the 30th the Horti will be raising money for Strathcarron Hospice and Colourful Killearn, as well as SGS’s own charities.
We look forward to many visitors to the gardens, the plant sale and having a cuppa too!
Read more about the Killearn Village Gardens Open Day on the SGS website.
The Scottish Garden Scheme (SGS) has raised over £1million for charity over the last five years by sharing their gardens, raising funds through entrance fees, refreshments and plant sales.
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ABOVE: Click on the map to see the rough garden locations.
Buy a map with the exact addresses on the Sunday!
Garden 1
Completely hidden from the road and the length of a football pitch, it is a mix of flower and shrub beds, seating areas, vegetable patch, potting area, grass, fruit trees and a section for wildlife.
Garden 5
Prize-winning wee garden, easily accessed, full of flowers all summer providing a joyful haven for its owner and the birds and bees.
Garden 2
A typical village garden, long and narrow, with good selection of plants, small ponds, greenhouse and raised vegetable beds.
Garden 6
This compact garden over different levels maximises the available space, allowing for a variety of vegetables, fruit & flowers including dahlias to be grown for exhibiting at the Killearn Annual Show.
Garden 3
A calm, pretty garden. The rear sloping site creates a private panorama for the conservatory and sheltered dianthus bordered patio. Prize-winning front garden in last year’s “Gardens from the Road”competition in the Killearn Annual Show.
Garden 7
A plantsman's garden in flower from April till October with many sub-tropical species and hybrids. Three floriferous mixed borders, several rose beds, dry-stone dykes, ponds and streams. Acers, rhodo-dendrons, alpines and azaleas.
Garden 4
On the edge of the conserved woodland of Killearn Glen, with raised vegetable beds, a potting-shed, grass, paved pathways and gravel forming a colourful, peaceful sanctuary for people and wildlife.
Garden 8
The 100 year old garden is surrounded by hedging and flower borders in the front, broadening to a herbaceous bed and rose bed as the drive curves. Semi-wild areas with rhododendrons, raised walled beds and a path to the back, mainly under grass.