An-Grianan Gardens

20/03/2026

Look at me 🥰

11/03/2026

💗 moles.

HE IS DEAD. THE SOIL IS CHOKING.
The mole you gassed wasn't a garden villain; he was the primary reason your plants could breathe.

The Common Misconception
Many gardeners view the mole as a "root-eater" because of the hills they leave behind. In reality, they are strictly insectivorous and have no interest in your bulbs or roots.

The Scientific Reality
According to The Mammal Society, a single mole must consume 50–100% of its body weight every day in earthworms and soil larvae. Their labyrinth of tunnels serves as a natural drainage system, preventing soil compaction and allowing oxygen to reach the roots of native species like the Meadow Cranesbill.

"I am the swimmer in the dark," the Mole might whisper. "While the Marsh Marigold opens above, I am tilling the cold earth below. I don't eat your flowers; I prepare the ground so they don't drown in the March rains."

Happening Now
This March, male moles are extending their territories up to three times their usual size to find mates. This surge in activity creates more "molehills," which are actually vital "spoil heaps" that bring nutrient-rich soil to the surface.

Why it Matters
A garden without moles is a garden with compacted, anaerobic soil.

Simple Actions

Repurpose the Hill: Use the finely tilled soil from molehills as a free, high-quality potting compost.

Observe the Drainage: Notice how areas with mole tunnels stay less waterlogged after a spring downpour.

A molehill is simply the earth taking a breath.

10/03/2026

A bowlful of beautiful hellebores 🥰

26/02/2026

Clusters of crocuses.😍

22/02/2026

Starting THURSDAY 12th MARCH, 7pm to 8.30pm, join me for *FREE* weekly online meditation sessions as part of the six month Awakening Dignity Across the Globe initiative from Samye Institute and Phakchok Rinpoche.
Sessions will be held on-line via Zoom, with the possibility of an in-person group for those who live in Forres, NE Scotland, and the surrounding area.
To register your interest and find out more, please email me (Susan) on
✨[email protected] ✨
A truly TRANSFORMATIVE course, which supports you to;
- Ground your life in your own basic goodness;
- Transform difficult emotions and habitual patterns; and
- Meet life’s challenges with stability, clarity, and kindness.
These sessions are open to anyone interested in meditation, personal growth, and living with greater dignity, purpose, and care for themselves and others.
This is a beautiful opportunity to join a *FREE* weekly practice group for ongoing community support, and the option to participate in the *FREE* monthly global online practice sessions in English.
Based on the timeless wisdom of the Buddhist Tradition, and open to all whether you have an interest in Buddhism or not, the meditations and contemplations we will enjoy together are there to help you to thrive and flourish.
To register your interest and find out more, please email me (Susan) on
✨[email protected] ✨
I look forward to meeting you 🙏
About me: I am an experienced group facilitator with more that 20 years of practice in the Buddhist tradition. Over the years I have delivered workshops and classes in meditation, healing, nature connection, and related topics. I am passionate about supporting others to find their inner dignity, strength, compassion, well-being and stability. This helps make us more able to weather the storms of life and be there for others. I am also a professional horticulturist, and love plants and flowers.
For more information, get in touch (see above) or go to:
https://www.samyeinstitute.org/awakening-dignity-across.../

Join the Global Online and In-person Practice Sessions, starting soon.

Samye Institute invites you to take part in creating a shared, steady community of practice across cultures and continents.

The program provides ongoing guidance, community connection, and practice support alongside the online course Awakening Dignity: A Meditation Course to Embrace Your Noble Heart.

Over six months, Awakening Dignity Across the Globe explores how to:

- Ground our lives in basic goodness
- Transform difficult emotions and habitual patterns
- Meet life’s challenges with stability, clarity, and kindness

This program is open to anyone interested in meditation, personal growth, and living with greater dignity, purpose, and care for themselves and others.

Participants may:
- Complete the Awakening Dignity online course at their own pace
- Join a free local practice group for ongoing community support
- Participate in the free monthly global online practice sessions with live translations from English into 6 languages

Find out more and register:
https://www.samyeinstitute.org/awakening-dignity-across-the-globe/

17/02/2026

Hamamelis, aka Witch Hazel, with it's fascinating spidery flowers, reminding us that spring is on its way 🙂

12/02/2026

12/02/2026

For the galanthophiles out there and all us folks who just love snowdrops for their beautiful simplicity 🥰

02/02/2026

Flower of today - Viburnum bodnantense
This lovely Viburnum has been flowering beautifully for a few weeks now, even through all the snow and ice. She reminds us that although there are times when we too might feel cold and frozen, our inner beauty still shines like the warmth of the sun. 🥰

08/11/2023

Enjoying a walk in the autumn sunshine 😍

26/10/2023

Going out on a limb with this post 🌳🌲😂 instagram.com/bigtreehunters