One of the principal attractions of the garden at The Murrel near Aberdour is that each different segment of the garden flows seamlessly into the next, providing an eclectic and compelling mix that is quite simply addictive. The broad sweeping expanse of the south facing garden is protected in most areas by walls or conifer trees, producing a sheltered suntrap that allows a huge variety of plants to prosper.

Now owned by Alistair and Patricia Bowen, The Murrel was originally designed and built by Frank Deas in 1910. Laurence Weaver wrote in volume II of his Small Country Houses of Today: “When Mr F W Deas decided to build a country house for himself in the kingdom of Fife, on the coast that looks south across the Firth of Forth to Cramond and Granton, he wisely followed the farmhouse traditions that he found near him.”

The house and four-acre garden were constructed in what is often called the ‘arts and crafts’ era, where self-sufficiency was deemed important in terms of livestock, fruit and vegetables. Today, it is very much a ‘plantsman’ garden – it is estimated there are three or four thousand different varieties - many of which are labelled for ease of identification. The sheer size of the garden means that it has to be looked after by head gardener David Nicoll, who is ably assisted by Cecil Anderson.

The main focus of The Murrel is the walled garden. A typical feature being white-flowering cistus, along with numerous varieties of small rhododendrons and azaleas - an attractive azalea walk being a star attraction in season. In one corner there are rows of sweet peas and raspberries planted along wire supports. The beds along the terraced south-facing wall support plants such as wisteria, pineapple broom and honeysuckle. On the level down from the terrace is rose garden, with a sundial marking the central point. There are several gravel paths and curved lawns to create open and sunny spots.

On the far side is a spring garden with flowering trilliums and narcissi, which then leads to a path that runs alongside a burn. Here a sun-dappled bog garden has been created, which a short distance further on runs into an old millpond, where rodgersia grow in profusion. Blue-headed meconopsis poppies are abundant and in a shady area nearby there is a large pancake-leaved gunnera.
Opposite the path and sloping back up to the terrace in front of the house is an orchard that sits in a wild-flower meadow. This is a truly stunning part of the garden, with rafts of white-petalled ox-eye daisies catching the breeze at every turn. It is a real haven for butterflies, and as well as apples and crab apples, plums and damsons grow here too.

Mature trees lead away into the distance, all emphasising that The Murrel is very much part of the natural environment. “Various parts of the garden flow into each other naturally and this is a real attraction of the place,” says Patricia.

Alistair adds: “A lot of the garden is maturing now and we are now planning to create a new woodland walk. The garden as a whole is well protected from the elements and this creates its own micro-climate, which is ideal for the many plant varieties found here.”

Adjacent to the house and in one corner is a large rockery, which then leads along the bottom of the terrace where there is a 150ft herbaceous border. Typical plants here include magnolia, lupins and aquilegia. Poppies grow in bright patches, including unusual varieties such as Mrs Goldilocks. On the other side of the path is a border with newly planted double peonies.

The terrace itself is protected on one side by the wall of the house, which has climbing roses and buddleia amongst many other plants to provide colour. A splendid view is afforded across to the Forth Bridges. In the much smaller front garden, there is a magnificent 100-year-old eucalyptus tree and mature wellingtonias.

Alistair and Patricia really enjoy their garden, and there can be few gardens in Fife which host such a tremendous variety of flora. Despite the distinctly natural feel to the garden, it is also very tidy and immaculate – a combination that is very difficult to achieve.