Dalmeny Walled Garden is full of treats for the tastebuds
(Image credit: Lockstock Studios/Rosebery Estates)
Sitting in front of the glasshouse, herb garden beds are laid out in neat rows, giving the space a distinctly formal feel.
The herbs are planted from A to Z, with 35 plants per block, including unusual varieties such as wormwood and yarrow. It’s a stylistic choice that is not only visually striking but also creates an easy-to-navigate herb bank.
‘We have lots of medicinal plants here to reflect medieval herb garden tradition, where each plant has a culinary, medicinal, or aromatic purpose,’ says Joseph Sheppard, Head Gardener. ‘Milk thistle, for example, has long been used for liver protection.’
Besides providing delicious flavors for the estate, many of the plants are also used in the Wermod Great British Vermouth created by Lady Jane and her husband Michael.
‘We also have a bank of herbaceous perennials in the borders nearby,’ Joseph adds. ‘The lemon verbena is one of the most pungent and enticing.’
Edible spring flowers, like Californian poppies, are also found here, adding fiery pops of colour as well as peppery tastes to salads and garnishes.
‘They’re all true varieties,’ Joseph explains. ‘If they end up naturally spreading, they won’t be invasive and can actually help increase biodiversity.
‘Previous gardeners here would have used chemicals to control this, but we take an organic approach, allowing plants to grow where they wish and transplanting them to our wildflower meadow if they end up in an undesired spot,’ he adds.
