DNA extraction and genotyping of wych elm (Ulmus glabra) is producing the first data on genetic diversity in this species that has been decimated by Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi)….

The seed harvest of the annual hemiparasite small cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum) has produced 50,000 seeds. Emma with seeds of small cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum). To read the full monthly update click…

The marsh saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus) is beginning its second season of flowering and is thriving in the ‘Cascade’ created to provide optimal conditions for its cultivation. Water temperature and chemistry…

Trial translocations of alpine blue-sow-thistle (Cicerbita alpina) at Mar Lodge Estate are thriving with over 80 per cent survival three years after planting. Alpine blue-sow-thistle trial at Mar Lodge Estate….

A trial translocation of blaeberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) plants with small cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum) seeds was carried out at RBGE. The purpose of the trial was to test whether translocation of…

The Last Ent of Affric was voted Scotland’s Tree of the Year in 2019. This isolated ancient wych elm (Ulmus glabra) now has a new generation of young elms growing…

Good germination of the native crab apple (Malus sylvestris) underway in the nursery at RBGE. Crab apple (Malus sylvestris) seedlings germinating. To read the full monthly update click the ‘download’…

Aline and Martine visited Balmoral Estate to explore the potential for species translocation to the estate. RBGE staff visiting Balmoral Estate to discuss potential for translocation sites. To read the…

Max joined a community celebration event organised by the Assynt community and planted the very first plant in a wild site on land adjacent to the Little Assynt Tree Nursery….

Simon Milne, Regius Keeper, welcomes the newly appointed staff to RBGE who will be working on Scottish Plant Recovery funded by a three-year grant from NatureScot. The Scottish Plant Recovery…

The Scottish Plant Recovery work was presented at the BSBI conference on 4 November to around 200 delegates. Aline presenting the project at the BSBI conference held at RBGE. To…

The Scottish Plant Recovery project now has a new shade tunnel at the RBGE nursery. This will provide valuable space for growing plants on prior to translocation to wild sites….

A fieldtrip to Holy Island collected seed of the Arran whitebeams (Hedlundia species). These apomictic trees can be challenging to grow from seed due to low viability, so micropropagation is…

Trial crossbreeding carried out between large surviving wych elm (Ulmus glabra) has resulted in about 250 seedlings that will be planted at translocation sites in spring 2024. These will be…

The Scottish Plant Recovery Team visited Loch Arkaig to study one of the few wild populations of small cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum) that survives in Scotland. Becca (crouching) at the wild…

The construction of a facility called the ‘Cascade’ provides the very specific environmental requirements for marsh saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus). This species has never before been kept alive in cultivation for…

Alistair Whyte of Plantlife visited the RBGE nursery to discuss the recovery work on marsh saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus). Alistair and Martine at the RBGE nursery examining the plant collection. To…