Over the last couple of weeks we have had the privilege of BBC2 Landward filming in The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

With the programme running over a four week period, Nick Nairn has been talking to our scientists and horticulturists in the gardens about the research and plant collections that The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh holds. As this is the year of National Scotland, we have launched our Big 5 survey to find the nations favourite tree, plant or shrub. In their recent filming, Landward spoke to our curator of the living collection, David Knott about the purpose of the Big 5 survey and why he chose the Scots Pine for his favourite plant. The Scots pine is an “iconic tree, evocative of the Scottish Highlands with its very rich biodiversity with many interesting associated plants, birds and animals.” The Big 5 countdown is still available to watch at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p019pd3f and there is still time to vote for your favourite either on the right or here!

Click here to see a gallery of our nominated plants.