Section Navigation:
Scotland in Bloom
With Scotland's reputation for rain, it's no surprise that the country is so green and lush. But did you know Scotland's climate is just as friendly to plants and flowers from much hotter, drier places? You'll even find palm trees in some parts of the country!
The month of April sees gardens across Scotland come alive with the sights and smells of spring.
Hedgerows and borders are lined with rows of yellow and cream daffodils, purple, orange and white crocuses and the first small green shoots of spring. From the formal and manicured, to the wilder and more natural, Scotland's gardens are well stocked with some of the finest collections of plants and flowers in the world.
There are hundreds of privately and publicly owned gardens to visit around the country. From gardens held in trust for the public by organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland, to the grounds and gardens of historic buildings protected by Historic Scotland.
There are also many delightful private gardens, open to visitors through Scotland's Gardens Scheme.
The Royal National Botanic Gardens of Scotland (known as the Botanics) includes four sites: Edinburgh, Benmore near Dunoon in Argyll, Logan near Stranraer in Galloway, and Dawyck near Peebles in the Borders. Glasgow, St Andrews and Dundee also have beautifully kept Botanical Gardens.
Gardens in the north west of Scotland can be particularly spectacular. This area has a warm, frost-free climate at most times of the year thanks to the Gulf Stream (the warm ocean current of the northern Atlantic Ocean), allowing sheltered gardens to flourish.
In the summer, Scottish cities, towns and villages burst into bloom with floral decorations of every description, as part of the Beautiful Scotland in Bloom annual floral competition.
We've gathered together a selection of the best events and garden openings around the country this spring.
Garden Openings & Events
17-23 April
A week-long festival of arts, music and guided walks, from gentle woodland strolls to more demanding expeditions into the hills of the National Park.
Scone Palace Gardens and Grounds, Perth
Open: 24 March-31 October, daily 9.30am-5.30pm
The ancient home of the kings and queens of Scotland, these stunning gardens come complete with strutting peacocks, a Wild Garden, Maze and Pinetum (containing pine trees).
Drummond Castle, Muthill, Crieff, Perthshire
Open: 14-17 April, then daily 1 May-31 October, 1-6pm
One of the finest formal gardens in Europe, with an avenue of beech trees, kitchen garden and ornamental fountains and statues.
Open: 10 April-16 June, Monday-Friday, 10-4pm
Widely considered to be one of Europe's top 50 gardens, Glendoick boasts a unique collection of plants including rhododendrons and azaleas, collected by three generations of the Cox family from plant-hunting expeditions to China and the Himalayas.
Floors Castle, Kelso, Scottish Borders
Open: 1 April-29 October, daily, 11am-5pm
The gardens of this historic castle, home to the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe, are filled with fine examples of native trees. The woodlands contain many magnificent mature oak, lime and sweet chestnut trees which survive from the time of Daniel Defoe's (author of Robinson Crusoe) visit in the 18th century.
Inverewe Garden, Poolewe , Ross-shire
Open: All year, daily 9.30am-4pm; 1 April-31 Oct, daily, 9.30am-9pm or sunset if earlier
Inverewe Garden is 75 miles from Inverness and renowned worldwide for its subtropical plants due to the warm climate. Various walks lead out from the garden into the surrounding landscape, with diverse wildlife and spectacular views.
Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse & Garden, Cupar, Fife
Open: Good Friday-31 May, Thur-Mon, 1-5, 1 June-31 Aug, daily 1-5; 1 Sept to 8 Oct, Thurs-Mon 1pm-5pm
The Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse boasts beautifully designed gardens with formal lawns, yew hedging, flowering borders and a sunken rose garden. The walled garden to the north contains sumptuous mixed borders and from here you can follow the paths to the hilltop viewpoint.
Dirleton Castle Gardens, North Berwick, East Lothian
Open: 1 April-30 September, Monday-Sunday, 9.30am-6.30pm, 1 October-31 March, Monday-Sunday, 9.30am-4.30pm
Set in the grounds of the ruined Dirleton Castle, the gardens are a colourful blend of traditional formal and contemporary gardens, including the world's longest herbaceous border.
Edzell Castle & Garden, Perthshire
Open: 1 April-30 September, Monday-Sunday, 9.30am to 6.30pm, 1 October-31 March, Monday-Sunday, 9.30am-4.30pm
A unique walled garden with heraldic sculptures and carved panels, created in 1604, along with walled flower and nesting boxes, and a summerhouse.
Jedburgh Abbey & Gardens, Scottish Borders
Open: 1 April-30 September, Monday-Sunday, 9.30am-6.30pm, 1 October-31 March
Monday-Sunday, 9.30am-4.30pm
Founded in 1138, Jedburgh Abbey has a cloister and herb garden, designed to show a typical Scottish monastery garden of around 1500.
The Explorers Garden, Pitlochry, Perthshire
Open: from 6 April, Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, Sunday, 11am-5pm
A fascinating collection of plants from around the world brought back to Scotland by plant hunters in the eighteenth century.
Traquair House and Gardens, Scottish Borders
Open: 8 April-29 October, daily, please see website for times which vary from month to month
The beautiful gardens of one of the oldest inhabited houses in Scotland, less than 30 miles south of Edinburgh, are set in 200 acres of woodland and forest and include a stretch of the River of Tweed.
Related Links:
Register for updates
Enter your details to receive email updates for Scotland is the Place. More about registration