North 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…

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Scottish 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…

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900 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…

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The 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…

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How 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,…

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The 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…

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Five 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…

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Beechgrove Garden is back for the spring season

It’s a perennial favourite that always comes into bloom each year. The Beechgrove Garden is back, re-potted, with a new look in a new home on the new BBC Scotland channel, having marked its 40th birthday last year. Springing back onto our screens just in time for the Easter holiday gardening weekend, Beechgrove provides the…

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We’ll be back in our gardens before we know it

The promise of lighter, longer days is on the horizon – and that means our gardens will come back to life. As we welcome the new year and look forward to the blossoming season ahead, head of garden at Dobbies, Louise Golden, shares her expert trend insights and planting advice for 2019. After months of…

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Six Scottish finalists for Britain in Bloom

Six Scottish communities are donning their gardening gloves as they prepare to battle it out in the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) 2019 Britain in Bloom competition. Now in its 55th year, the fiercely fought contest will see 71 UK finalists put their horticultural skills, community spirit and green credentials to the test. Representing Scotland will…

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