Old Castle herbaceous border

The herbaceous border at the Old Castle has undergone some renovation over the past few months and it is now a beautiful place to sit on a sunny day and take in the view. Here’s a selection of flowers to look out for during your visit over the next few months.

Verbena bonariensis in the old castle border at Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle Kent

Verbena bonariensis

Flowing through the border is a wave of Verbena bonariensis which attracts bees, butterflies and hoverflies with their domes of pale purple flowers.

Salvia x jamensis Nachtvlinder in the old castle border at Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle Kent

Salvia x jamensis Nachtvlinder

The dark purple of Salvia x jamensis ‘Nachtvlinder’ adds depth to the colour scheme.

Dahlia David Howard in the old castle border at Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle Kent

Dahlia David Howard

Orange flower heads of Dahlia 'David Howard’.

Lythrum virgatum Dropmore Purple in the old castle border at Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle Kent

Lythrum virgatum Dropmore Purple

The spires of Lythrum virgatum ‘Dropmore Purple’ are attractive to bees in late summer.

Malus Indian Magic in the old castle border at Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle Kent

Malus Indian Magic

At the back of the border Malus ‘Indian Magic’ has been planted to give spring and autumn colour with its deep pink blossoms and orange-red fruits.

H. Wyndley in the old castle border at Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle Kent

Helenium ‘Wyndley’

Helenium ‘Wyndley’, with bronze-streaked, yellow flowers and a dark brown centre.

Aster x frikartii Mönch in the old castle border at Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle Kent

Aster x frikartii Mönch

Aster x frikartii Mönch with lavender-blue flowers

Hylotelephium Herbstfreude in the old castle border at Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle Kent

Hylotelephium Herbstfreude

The pale green heads of Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’ (syn. Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’) start to blush and day by day darken to their rosy, autumnal hues.