Category: HorticulturePage 46 of 59

Latest blog stories connected with horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Autumn blues

Ceratostigma minus; a slow growing compact deciduous sub shrub from Western China. A compact package, it reaches 1.7 metres in height and slightly more in breadth. It is…

An uncommon tree

Maackia chinensis, a slow growing deciduous tree from Central and Southern China. It is tucked between the Palm House and Orchids and Cycad House where it enjoys a…

Bountiful harvest

In the Garden there are representatives of both the ‘Black Mulberry’ and the lesser grown relative the ‘White Mulberry’. With autumn comes the fruiting season and this year…

One for the sun

Reliable and bright; Echinacea purpurea appreciates a situation in full sun. Coming from the prairies of eastern North America it thrives in well drained dry soil. An herbaceous…

A Gentian with goatee beard

Sitting atop the limestone wall at the alpine area where the roots are guaranteed a growing medium with good drainage is Gentiana paradoxa. Enjoying exposure to full sun…

Swaying in the wind

The Dierama collection growing at the Garden has this season been spectacular. Delicate and delightful images of arching fishing rods come to mind, a slight breeze causes the…

Crocosmia, or if you are of a certain generation, Montbretia

The name Montbretia came from a young French botanist, Coquebert de Montbret, who accompanied Nelson on the invasion of Egypt in 1798 where he unfortunately died. The genus…

A long time developing

Initially photographed on 26th June as the flower buds were emerging green from the heart of the plant it has taken a further five weeks for the colour…

Sea Anemone

Napoleonaea vogelii in the Orchids and Cycads House has one of the strangest flowers. It bears the most amazing resemblance to a Sea Anemone. The flower is a…

Torrential rain and twisted leaves

Much needed rain fell during the past week. After a prolonged dry period the soil bakes and ideally gentle rain is needed to allow rainwater to absorb into…

Sun wilt

High temperatures and intense sun have consequences. This is often seen in early afternoon where direct bright sun has shone on unprotected leafy material. Superficial wilt occurs which…

A rare first flowering

Planted in 1996 and fourteen years later Carrierea calycina produces its first flowers. The tree in the Garden at the base of the Chinese hillside is a male;…

Fragrant Phily

Planting of the Biodiversity Garden; the area of ground that reaches out to the south and east of the John Hope Gateway provided an opportunity for recently collected…

Buzzing with life

An unusual plant in cultivation; Schinus polygamus when observed on a warm day humming with bees and other pollinating insects deserves to be more widely planted. Growing through…

Favourite foliage

With mid summer approaching plants have taken the opportunity to maximise growth with the longer day length. Two plants with variegated foliage that lighten up dreary corners are…

Snow white on the scree slope

Celmisia hookeri in full bloom on the scree at the rock garden is a stunning sight. A composite flower; the single layer of large ray florets are pure…

The Azalea bank

The deciduous Azaleas provide a reliable mass display of colour and fragrance. Mix and match from the early Mollis Hybrids leading through the Exbury and Occidentale Hybrids to…

Ravaged by winter; cherished by spring

Well here we go harping back to the winter after the warmest weekend of the year. Winter has left its mark on the Chilean native, Acrisione cymosa. Notice…

Seals and shrimps in the season of phenomenal growth

Spring; and the ground flora greens up. Growth during the month of May is impressive; leaves seem to double in size during the hours of daylight. The prolonged…

Picture perfect Paeonia

With the sun on the petals this Paeonia coriacea is seen at its best. Each herbaceous shoot bestowed with flower. A native to Morocco where it was collected…