Tag: Botanics

Spring Festival at The Botanics

Spring Festival

Sat 29 & Sun 30 April, 1pm-4pm (drop -in), all ages, free

Come to the Botanic Cottage and Demonstration Garden as the Edible Gardening team get started in the vegetable patch for another year. Be inspired by nature and learn about gardening in an environmentally friendly way.

With information for budding gardeners, fun family friendly activities and fresh garden tasters. With Edinburgh Wildlife Watch Group (https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/watch-group/edinburgh/) and Grass Roots Remedies (http://www.grassrootsremedies.co.uk/)

The Edible Gardening project is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. 

Botanic Cottage receives Royal approval

An internationally-important seat of learning from the Scottish Enlightenment which fell into dereliction and was painstakingly dismantled to be reconstructed two miles across the ity has received the royal seal of approval. It’s both the oldest and the newest building at the Botanics, and the magnificent Botanic Cottage was officially opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal yesterday.

Saved by a community campaign, the Georgian cottage was reconstructed with the express intention of nurturing public engagement so it was appropriate that those welcoming Her Royal Highness included school pupils and community groups.

Volunteers from the Edible Gardening Project were on hand, as were the community activists who fought for the building to be saved, those involved with the reconstruction and RBGE staff who had roles to play in the venture. Main funders, including representatives of the Heritage Lottery Fund were also introduced.

Lucy Casot, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “Thanks to players of the National Lottery, Botanic Cottage has a new lease of life. It will be a lively, welcoming hub where young and old, many with more challenges in life than others, can be inspired by these wonderful gardens and collections. We are delighted to have played our part in this project and look forward to seeing Botanic Cottage blossom.”

The Princess was hosted by Regius Keeper Simon Milne MBE who introduced her to key people in the building’s recent history, from its rescue on Leith Walk in 2008 through the wholesale move and traditional rebuild to those who have established it as a new centre for community and education work at the Garden’s Inverleith site.

Mr Milne commented: “The completion of the Botanic Cottage is such a wonderful achievement for everyone involved in getting the building from Leith to Inverleith and bringing it back to life as a focus for education and community work. Today has provided well-deserved recognition to the team and we were all delighted to have had the opportunity to welcome The Princess Royal.”

The Botanics: After the Storm

EXHIBITION: After the Storm

Sat 3 December to Fri 26 May 2017

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Timber from trees destroyed when Cyclone Andrea tore through the Edinburgh Garden on 3 January 2012 have been crafted into 14 exquisite items of furniture. Don’t miss this major exhibition showcasing the unique pieces created by members of the Scottish Furniture Makers Association.

An exhibition of fine furniture constructed from RBGE timber windblown during Cyclone Andrea in 2012. Highlighting the beauty of Scottish-grown timber and craftsmanship amongst our Scottish furniture makers, this exhibition also focuses on the restorative and rejuvenating effects of storms in Nature and trauma upon the natural and human environment.

TODAY 11am – 3pm John Hope Gateway

AFTER the STORM MAKERS’ MARKET

A selection of beautifully crafted, hand-made items from the After the Storm furniture makers will be on sale at a festive market. The wide selection including boxes, clocks and bowls provides the chance to buy a unique Christmas gift or special item for your home.

Tree-mendous: Game of cones!

School gamers recruited to save Scotland’s forests

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With new threats to tree health never far from the news, seven Scottish research institutes have been working with computer game designers to create a freely-available platform on which young players can pit their wits against pests and diseases in the virtual forest. The result is the new survival strategy game CALEDON, which was launched in Glasgow today. The ultimate game plan is to encourage a new generation of much-needed tree health specialists. Continue reading Tree-mendous: Game of cones!

Late night tonight at the Botanics

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To celebrate midsummer, the Botanic Garden will be staying open until 10.30pm and there will be half price entry to the Glasshouses between 6pm and 9.30pm  tonight. Food and drink will be available at the Terrace Cafe and East Gate Lodge. What better way to enjoy the longest day of the year, than with an evening stroll around the Botanics?

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Potty about plants at the Botanics

Plant Sale this Sunday

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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. Continue reading Potty about plants at the Botanics

Hut’s the way to do it!

THE IDEAL HUT SHOW

Botanics until Mon 30 May, 10am – 5.45 pm. Free.

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An open-air installation consisting of twenty off-the-shelf garden sheds reinvented by architects and designers from home and abroad.

In partnership with the Festival of Architecture (part of Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design)

New Reekie opens up at the Botanics!

Sample the pungent delights of Edinburgh’s unlikely new superstar! Move over, pandas – there’s a new kid in town (and he stinks!) 

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It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Our Amorphophallus titanum (titan arum), one of the world’s biggest and smelliest blooms, is now in full flower. It’s a first for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and for Scotland.

It is only expected to flower – and smell – for a couple of days, so hurry along to the Garden if you want to experience the botanical spectacle.

To give everyone a chance to see the plant, the Glasshouses will be open from 9am until 9pm during the period it is in full flower.

Visiting Times

9am – Access to Glasshouses only (enter via East Gate, Inverleith Row).

10am – Garden fully open. Entry via East Gate and John Hope Gateway, West Gate.

5.45pm – Last entry to Garden

6pm – Garden closes

6pm – 8.15pm – Entry to Glasshouses only (enter via East Gate)

8.30pm – Last admission to Glasshouses

9pm – Glasshouses close

Glasshouse admission costs £5, £4 concessions, children 15 and under free. No advance booking. Friends of RBGE get free entry to the Glasshouses and our Regional Gardens at Dawyck, Benmore and Logan. Why not sign up to become a Friend today?

Visit our website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for details and to check what the flower is doing.

https://www.facebook.com/thebotanics/videos/1009470405729969/?video_source=pages_finch_main_video

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Blooming great – Botanics shortlisted for Garden of the Year!

Can Botanics be voted Britain’s best?

BotanincsIt’s known and loved by thousands, but can the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) get enough votes to take the title of the best in Britain?

That is the challenge after hearing the news that our very own Botanics is a contender for the title “Garden of the Year” in the annual BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards. It’s the only Garden in Scotland to make the short list and ‘Botanics’ bosses are asking friends at home and abroad to come out and show their support by placing votes.

All votes must be cast by the January 31 and members of the public can make their mark by selecting their favourite garden – and 11 other categories, ranging from great heritage attractions to holiday destinations – by emailing awards@countryfile.com, by visiting the BBC Countryfile Magazine website at http://www.countryfile.com/article/garden-year-201415 or by post to BBC Countryfile Magazine, Tower House, Bristol, BS1 3BN.

Now in its fourth year, the high-profile award attracted more than 55,000 votes in 2014, when the accolade was claimed by RHS Wisley, Surrey. This year RBGE is up against four other world-renowned sites: The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall; Trentham Gardens, Stafford; Alnwick Garden, Northumbria and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in Surrey.

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Welcoming the news that RBGE was in the running, Director of Enterprise Heather Jackson said: “This is a really good fun way to start the year. We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the award: and to be against such prestigious competition. It would be wonderful if our visitors and supporters would enter into the spirit of the event and take a few minutes to vote for us.”

The winner will be announced in the April issue of BBC Countryfile Magazine. Good luck, RBGE!