Potty about plants at the Botanics

Plant Sale this Sunday

Rain, winds and hail have failed to dampen the spirits of a hardy team of “potters” as they get over 5,000 plants ready for a major annual fundraising event in aid of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) this weekend.

Come hail or shine, fifty dedicated potters have been meeting at the Botanics’ Nursery on the first Tuesday of each month to grow plants from seed or cuttings in preparation for the sale on Sunday 8 May.

Chief Potter, Heike Campbell explained: “The potters are people who just love working with plants, nurturing them from young seedlings or cuttings into beautiful, healthy specimens that people will want to have in their gardens. We work with many unusual plants and most potters enjoy learning about them, their origin, how to grow them successfully and how to propagate them. It is wonderful to be part of such a dedicated team.

“Some potters have a good knowledge of horticulture and are willing to share with those who are newer to gardening. It is rewarding to be part of a team that is doing something worthwhile for the future of RBGE’s plant research and conservation work.”

Heike added: “This year we have a record number of plants. A new special stall will be dedicated to plants that have been introduced to UK gardens from Chile to celebrate and highlight the close scientific connection between RBGE and the South American country. Other plants on sale will range from trees, shrubs and perennials to bedding plants, house plants, orchids, herbs, vegetables and fruit trees. There will also be a stall selling tasty home baking.”

The Plant Sale will be held at the RBGE Nursery, Inverleith Avenue South between 2pm and 4pm.

There are just over 8,500 Friends of RBGE and the annual Plant Sale is the biggest fundraising event of the year, netting around £12,000. Profits from the fundraising events go towards a programme of small projects at RBGE which would not be possible without this invaluable support.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Friends of RBGE and there are some key events planned to celebrate this. A Climate Change event, hosted by BBC Scotland’s Environment Correspondent David Miller on Saturday 24 September will look at the impact of climate change on plants in our gardens and a Friends’ ceilidh on Friday 28 October will round off the celebrations.

RBGE is a registered charity that relies on the support of its Friends to further its vital work, to enrich its plant collections and attract more people to enjoy and learn about the world of plants. Their contributions, whether by becoming a Friend, volunteering or supporting events, help to fund horticultural, scientific and educational projects across all four of RBGE’s Gardens at Edinburgh, Dawyck in the Scottish Borders, Benmore in Argyll and Logan in Dumfries & Galloway.