Stuart D. McLeod, Stuart D. McLeod (KW17)

Styles: Coastal, Rural

Soil types: Sandy

Soil drainage: Moist but well-drained

Soil pH: Alkaline

Light: Full Sun

Aspect: North, South, East, West

Exposure: Exposed

I have 900 msq garden in the Orkney Islands, on the crest of a hill, 0,5 - 1,5 miles from the sea in three directions. There are very few days when there is no stiff breeze(?)! It is surrounded on all sides by agricultural land with the concommitant weeds. The previous owner used to run a business selling beach sand for building. He graded his product in the yard, and threw the leavings onto what I am now trying to cultivate. It's a real challenge, but great fun; and I laugh at all those articles titled 'Gardening on the Edge'.

Stuart D. McLeod's garden plan

There is not a published plan for this garden yet.

Plants in Stuart D. McLeod's garden

Erica arborea 'Albert's Gold' (Tree heath 'Albert's Gold')

Phormium 'Amazing Red' (New Zealand flax 'Amazing Red')

Phormium 'Surfer' (Flax lily 'Surfer')

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Plants Stuart D. McLeod wants

Phormium 'Peach Melba' (Flax lily 'Peach Melba')

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Stuart D. McLeod

About me
I have no gardening qualification. I took early retirement to pursue a career in garden maintenance. I collect phormiums and ornamental grasses, having 60-odd of the former, and 51 of the latter. I am registered as a plant importer in both Scotland and England (slightly different legislation)

Gardening expertise
Very Keen

Biggest gardening accomplishments
My phormium collection.

Biggest gardening frustrations
Fighting the vagaries of the weather.

The gardening project I am currently working on
Designing, planning, and executing the creation of a small, generally acceptable planting scheme using only ornamental grasses