Posts Tagged ‘gardening’
Meet the couple leaving a lasting legacy for a rare tree species on Arran
A couple with a passion for the rare Arran Whitebeam has left a legacy for the island through their work to help save the native tree species from extinction. Henry Murdo who has lived on Arran since 1968 and Margo McLellan, a native Arranach, have been working with the National Trust for Scotland to share…
Read MoreLife With St Andrew Botanic Gardens: ‘The answers to society’s biggest challenges all involve a different relationship with plants’
Harry Watkins, director of St Andrew Botanic Gardens, on growing up with gardeners as a child, experimenting with new ideas and how what we thought we knew about nature is being challenged. I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors, my mum is a great gardener, and her passion has been a massive influence on how I…
Read MoreHamish Martin: ‘Known as the tree of knowledge, hazel was one of the first trees to colonise these lands on the retreat of the ice age’
Gardening columnist Hamish Martin delves into the history of the hazel tree this month and explores how it became entrenched in our ancient history, beliefs and customs. Why choose Hazel for the month of January when you can harvest the leaves in spring for medicine and the nuts in autumn for food. It isn’t…
Read MoreNorth Berwick and Linlithgow win bloomin’ gold
A PAIR of Scottish towns triumphed at the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS’s) Britain in Bloom finals. North Berwick in Bloom won a gold medal and took the title in the “coastal” category. Elizabeth Morris from North Berwick In Bloom was also named as a “community champion”. Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow was presented with gold in the…
Read MoreScottish park to benefit from community garden
Paisley is to benefit from a new community garden inspired by its local heritage after it was named Scottish winner in the RHS’ Garden Day Competition. Barshaw Park will see the creation of a new space that nods to the town’s textile past for local people to enjoy, learn and garden. On the site of…
Read More900 ways to save Scotland’s native plants
Harsh winter weather was not enough to deter intrepid teams from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh as they put conservation theory into action. They transplanted 900 plants of the endangered alpine blue-sow-thistle (Cicerbita alpina) into secret locations in the Scottish hills. In a remarkable demonstration of how expert scientists and horticulturists, working together, can help…
Read MoreThe secret gardening life of Beatrix Potter
This delightfully illustrated book reveals a little known aspect of Beatrix Potter’s life. She was a gardening enthusiast and how her evident appreciation and knowledge of gardening informed her work. McDowell writes beautifully, painting a charming portrait of Beatrix Potter and her garden at Hill Top Farm through the seasons. Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, by…
Read MoreHow to garden in a cold climate
Angela Slater from Hayes Garden World gives some advice on your garden during the winter months. Gardening in a cold climate can be challenging, but not impossible provided that you choose plants which are adapted for extreme conditions. If you want to grow more tender plants, these will require a frost-free greenhouse for the winter,…
Read MoreThe scent of lavender will be hitting our noses
As one of the most popular plants in gardens across the UK, the scent of lavender will soon fill the Scottish countryside as fields burst into bloom from June to August. Well known for its calming and relaxing properties, it’s a favourite scent for home fragrances, soaps, candles and beauty products including essential oils. Outside…
Read MoreFive top tips for gardening kicks this spring
Spring to a gardener is like all your birthdays come at once, there’s so much anticipation and there’s lots to see, smell, touch and even taste. The idea of having an engaging outside space is to enjoy it, so here are some tricks of the trade to give you a head start on how to…
Read More