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A delightful country garden in Shetland

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The owner of Nonavaar is James B. Thomson, who is a visual artist as well as designer and landscaper.

These three elements come together beautifully in his east-facing garden which enjoys views towards the dramatic coastline in this part of Shetland.

The garden is set within a drystane wall and as the land slopes it has been terraced with local stone.

There are various walled areas to give protection from the winds for more-delicate plants such as phlox, hollyhocks and delphiniums.

There is a greenhouse, gazebo and three ponds which are used to encourage frogs which, in turn, keep down the number of snails and slugs.

There is also a wooded area and, in total, the garden is about three quarters of an acre with buddleia, potentilla, phormium, ecsalonia, vibernum, New Zealand flax and fuchsias some of the shrubs growing here.

The spring brings masses of daffodils, narcissus, primulas and alliums.

Mr Thomson said: “I tend to grow the more-delicate plants in pots, which I then return to the greenhouse for the winter.

“I grow bedding plants – marigold, petunia, Livingstone daisy, cosmos – and they maintain colour all through the summer in pots and borders.

“One of the benefits of living on the coast is that you do not get severe frosts.

“Herbs do well, as do grasses and gunnera.

“However, gardening in Shetland has its trials. But being a garden designer, I know the suitable plants and enjoy giving advice to others.

“In midsummer, it is hard sometimes to remember the darkness of a Shetland winter.”

Nonavaar is open Thursdays and Fridays, from 2-5pm, each week until Friday, September 12. Mr Thomson’s studio is also open to visitors. Outwith these times and dates, the garden is open to visitors by prior arrangement.

 

Fact Box
Where: Nonavaar, Levenwick, Shetland ZE2 9HX.

Directions: Head south from Lerwick. Turn left at Levenwick sign soon after Bigton turnoff. Follow road to third house on left after Midway Stores. Park where there is a Garden Open sign.

Admission: £3. Money raised will be donated to Cancer Research (40%), with the remainder to Scotland’s Gardens beneficiary charities.

Contact: 01950 422447.