Garden Visit: National Botanic Garden of Wales
We visited Wales recently and we always love to fit a garden visit when we are on holiday. With 400 acres to explore, a visit to the National Botanic Garden of Wales was sure to be a day packed full of adventure! Here are some of our highlights and reasons why YOU should visit the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
As soon as you arrive in the garden, there is impressive water features everywhere from cascades in the Visitor Centre, a lovely pond, gorgeous fountains but our favourite were the meandering rills making their way down the main pavement. Visitors often go to Rhyl but in this case, definitely go visit the rill!
A rill not a Rhyl!
We always love a Biome (see our previous blog about Cornwall!) so we were delighted to step inside the National Botanic Garden of Wales impressive glasshouse and be transported to South Africa and Australia and beyond!
The impressive biome
The giant tree stumps at the back of the glasshouse were a huge attraction to our girls. They spent ages climbing on them and we even had our picnic there! The best play park ever!
Tree stumps were a big win
This impressive building is the only part of William Paxton’s mansion that remains today. It was the servants’ quarters, brew house, laundry and kitchens. It survived the fire of 1931, which destroyed the main mansion.
Principality House
Another hit with the kids was the Bird of Prey Centre. There is an additional charge to visit the Bird of Prey Centre and if you want to watch the display there is a further fee for that too.
The bird of prey centre
As you would expect in any botanic garden, there was stunning plants to behold. We especially loved the rock garden which was beautifully maintained and had a glorious display of many decorative grasses, herbaceous and shrubs. The walled garden was fabulous too.
Stunning planting in the rock garden
This lovely window art caught our eye as we wandered around the gardens. Take a tired old shed and add rustic charm with these lovely window stickers. Isn’t it pretty?
Window art
Another favourite of ours are these corten steel planters which were dotted around the visitor centre. We love the sheer scale of them as well as the beautiful frothy planting spilling out.
Corten steel planters
You’re not in Wales if there isn’t a huge dragon sculpture. This fella was sleeping so were quite safe!
Huge dragon sculpture
There are amazing walks all around the grounds with woods and waterfalls to explore. You might spot some fairies along the way!
Lovely walks through woods
And if that isn’t enough of a reason there are shops, cafes, snack bars, play parks and lots and lots of walks to enjoy. Oh and kids get in free with their Blue Peter badges and there are dog friendly days too. Go visit!
Oh and guess what the Welsh word for Kids is…
The Welsh word for “Kids” is PLANT!
All at Vialii
Dog Friendly Gardens, What To Consider…
It’s not just bark of the decorative variety that we need to consider in the gardens we design, it’s very often our clients’ prized pooches we need to incorporate. So what do we need to consider in dog friendly gardens? Well here are some of our top tips…
Elmo going for a walk among the snowdrops
Keeping your pooch safe in your garden is really important. They will find the tiniest gap to escape so ensure your fence or boundary is in tip top condition. Make sure other animals in your garden are kept in a safe place from your pup too. We can secure existing fences or design and build new fences which will look great as well as be practical, perfect for dog friendly gardens.
Sula loves being outdoors in her garden in Bridge of Allan
Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is a wonderful solution for dog loving families. It overcomes many issues including muddy paws, digging holes in the grass and of course the issue of wee burning real grass. We have included it in many doggy gardens and it has transformed the lives of the pups and their parents!
Keava and Korah enjoy playing on the grass
Watch Their Routes
Watch what routes your dogs regularly take around your garden. These are the areas of grass which will quickly get worn and muddy so consider changing these to a more robust, solid path.
Monty loves a nice path in a garden
Digging Corner
We know how much your four legged friends love to dig. Instead of it being your lawn or your prized flower bed, try incorporating a digging corner especially for them. Hide some of their toys and treats in there to keep them interested. We can design this into dog friendly gardens so it is hidden away and doesn’t detract from the rest of your outdoor space.
Sandy loves being outside in the garden on a sunny day
Planting
It is really important to make sure the planting in your gardens is doggy safe. Many common plants such as pieris, hydrangea and daffodils are toxic to dogs.It’s not just the chewing you need to consider, a dog friendly garden often needs to have robust plants to save them from that crazy half hour many of them have, tearing around the garden!
Harvey likes hiding in some foliage!
We are happy to design a puppy safe planting plan which will look great and be safe for them.
Korah understands the importance of beauty!
Shady Area
Perhaps it’s wishful thinking but ensuring there is a shady corner for your dog to shelter in sunny weather is a good idea. This can be incorporated into a beautiful garden design and could be a pergola or sail.
Flynn enjoying some rare sunshine in the garden
Or perhaps you could treat them to their own home from home with these stylish kennels by William Peterson:
We love these kennels by William Peterson
Marking Post
If you have a male dog you may want to consider a marking post for him to wee against. An old tree stump works well and won’t look out of place if carefully incorporated.
It’s not just planting that can add colour in the garden, Dorey and her stripey jumper will brighten up anyone’s day!
Water Fun
Dogs love splashing about in water and, if you have space,your pooch will love you even more for incorporating an area for water play in the garden. It may be as simple as just having a large lawn area where a paddling pool can be put on a hot day. Water sprinklers are great fun for kids and dogs alike. Or, for those with the luxury of space, including a water feature cascading through the garden could be a real treat for everyone.
Max loves playing in water
Drying Coats
After running around in that water (or realistically after most walks in our Scottish climate!) your pup will appreciate one of these amazing drying coats from our friend and local business Freckles Designs. She also does a wide range of other products including crate covers, blankets and personalised lead hooks.
Jess snuggled in her Freckles Design drying coat
And Finally…
We couldn’t resist this product. We know how much our baby Tilda loves bubbles in the garden so why not treat your pooch to the same pleasure with these doggy bubbles which are bacon scented! You can get cat nip ones too if you are a cat lover!
Bacon bubbles for your pooch
If you would like some advice on how to create a dog friendly garden please get in touch.
Thank you to all our lovely friends who gave us photos of their four legged friends for us to use in this blog.
All at Vialii
Ruby has Holly and Lottie over for a play in her garden