Latest News
Spring - May
SPRING - May
This is a wonderful time to visit Cluny! However the garden is sadly well over 2 weeks ahead of where it normally is and it is needing a good dose of rain!
Highlights in May include: American Wood Lilies (Trillium) in white and red; various colours and species of Candelabra Primulas; the emergence of Cobra Lilies: and the start of the flowering of Himalayan poppies (Meconopsis). The leaves of deciduous shrubs and trees are already out and soon lilacs and Enkianthus will be in flower.
Lots of different birds are in song and pairing up with some already nest building. There is always the chance of seeing a stoat and thee first Comma butterfly was seen on the 1st April.. Now green-veined whites, peacocks and orange-tips are around.
Please try to arrive between 9 & 10 in the morning to obtain the best views of the red squirrels. On longer warm days they tend to be less obvious during the middle of the day.
2024 & 2025 Seed list and Organised tours 2025 & 2026
2024 Seed & 2025 SEED LIST
If you visit the garden, 2024 seed is still available for sale.
Please send your email address to wmattingley@btinternet.com if you want a copy of the 2025 list which will be sent out in late November/early December.
ORGANISED TOURS 2025 & 2026
If you have the opportunity of organising a group of eight or more people (up to 20), we will happily provide a guide for free. Organised visits in the evenings can also be arranged. As we have limitations on the size of bus which can access the garden, please contact us.
Red squirrels and other wildlife in the garden
The numerous red squirrels at Cluny are very active throughout most of the day but especially when they are fed around 0900-0930 with hazelnuts, sunflower seed, occasionally fruit and peanuts. Apart from at the feeders, if you go around the garden quietly, taking your time you should see the squirrels foraging on the ground or scampering off up a tree. No 5, at the Big Tree is a good spot to sit and watch them for as long as you want.
Pine martens do visit the garden probably mainly at night although they have been seen during the day as well. Wandering badgers and foxes also visit. Stoats are definitely present and you may be lucky enough to see one.
Many woodland bird species are present including 3 types of tits, bullfinch, treecreeper, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldcrest, great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, blackbird, long-tailed tit, jackdaw, song and mistle thrushes. Jays sometimes frequent the bird feeders and buzzards, ravens and sparrowhawk are regular overhead. Red kites are also now being seen more frequently. Always a good idea to keep a look out above!
Butterflies to look out for are Comma and Orange Tips. Bumblebees are prolific and the first tree bumblebee was seen on the 19th March which was very early.