Gardening for the Queen

Balmoral is the Scottish country home of HM Queen Elizabeth II, set against the backdrop of Scotland's Cairngorm National Park. Here, Brian Corr, head gardener, talks about the gardens.

The gardens include a large Conservatory, glasshouses, vegetable and cutting garden as well as a series of sunken gardens, terraces and herbaceous borders. 

An impressive variety of geraniums are grown for display in the house when the Queen is in residence for the Court Period in August. The colourful display of hothouse blooms also makes them firm favourites with members of the public.

HM Queen Elizabeth here wears the robes of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's senior chivalric order but in the gardens at Balmoral she is on holiday and can relax with her family.

Winters can be harsh in the Highlands of Scotland and the gardening team at Balmoral often have to contend with snow that can lie for months. 

The gardening team at Balmoral delay planting tender seedlings until the early summer. Even in June they may need protection at night.

The entire garden at Balmoral is run on organic principles. The gardening team lavish attention on soil condition and employ companion planting as one of several strategies to discourage pests.

Employing organic methods of pest control in the gardens at Balmoral allows all forms of beneficial pollinators to thrive.

Visitors enjoy the gardens at Balmoral through Spring and early Summer before the Royal Family arrive for their holidays in August.

The new delphinium border shows off the subtle shades of these stately perennials to best advantage and is an important recent addition to the ever evolving gardens at Balmoral.