The musings of a plant fanatic

Monday 4 September, 2023

In this blog I’m going to have a go at describing a number of plants which I’ve grown in my time in Scotland’s west, mostly outsiders but occasionally insiders, for which I’ve had to go a little further than the local garden centre.

New “no dig” beds at Willowhill

Tuesday 8 August, 2023

Follow the progress of new "no-dig" beds at Willowhill in Fife.

Scotland's Gardens Scheme through the decades. An archive diary, by Volunteer Archivist, Alice Manning.

Friday 4 August, 2023

I’m Alice, a postgraduate student with the University of Dundee’s Archives and Records Management programme, and I’ve been cataloguing Scotland’s Garden Scheme’s archival records.

GreenThumb - Share the Lawn Love Campaign

Friday 21 July, 2023

Heartwarming 'Share the Lawn Love' campaign sees GreenThumb transform Scottish lawns across the country for free.

Fife Gardeners' Garden Tour to Beauly

Monday 17 July, 2023

In mid June, Fife gardeners were delighted to set out on what had become an annual adventure until Covid entered our lives. This year, all the gardens visited opened as part of Scotland's Gardens Scheme.

Gardens by arrangement - the kindness of strangers

Tuesday 20 June, 2023

Volunteers' Week

Monday 5 June, 2023

1st - 7th June 2023 marks Volunteers' Week, thank you to our dedicated team of volunteers across Scotland!

The Coronation: Views from the Grandstand

Wednesday 10 May, 2023

View a selection of special photographs taken by Theo and Julian Stanning from the Grandstand at the Coronation of King Charles III.

Bluebells in bloom

Friday 5 May, 2023

May is the perfect time to visit the bluebell carpeted grounds of some of our gardens open for charity!

Coronation Celebrations

Friday 21 April, 2023

Why not commemorate the upcoming Coronation, by visiting one of our gardens open for charity especially for the occasion!

Get away to a garden

Tuesday 28 March, 2023

Looking for a weekend getaway or planning a staycation? There’s almost certainly a garden to visit on the way.

Garden Wedding Venues

Monday 20 March, 2023

Your wedding ceremony with natural backdrop. Explore garden wedding destinations in beautiful Scotland.

Winton Castle Spring Gardens Open Day

Thursday 16 March, 2023

Winton Castle Invites Families and Garden Lovers to its Spring Gardens Open Day on Sunday 26 March.

Water features in gardens

Wednesday 15 March, 2023

There are many benefits of having a pond or other body of water in the garden. Water adds a special quality to a garden.

Scotland's Gardens Cattanach Fund

Monday 27 February, 2023

Scotland's Gardens Scheme is offering the chance to apply for bursary grant funding for horticulturists working or training in Scotland.

Scottish garden in February

Monday 13 February, 2023

Today we are sharing a cheerful February update from our Garden Opener's garden in Dundee.

Why women grow

Tuesday 7 February, 2023

'I started to garden when I moved to London in my early twenties and had a tiny 6m x 1m plot outside our flat, into which I poured hours, money and love and have gardened ever since. ' - by Liz Stewart

Gardens to visit in Scotland in February 2023 (with Valentine’s Day destinations)

Monday 6 February, 2023

We reveal gardens to visit in February 2023 in Scotland (including Valentine’s Day destinations)

Snowdrops and Winter Walks

Wednesday 1 February, 2023

See the list of snowdrop gardens that will open with Scotland's Gardens Scheme in 2023 as part of the Scottish Snowdrop Festival. All raising money for charity. Make sure to visit them!

My Scottish Wild Garden: Mid-Winter

Wednesday 4 January, 2023

I am the grateful and proud custodian of my wild garden consisting of 12 acres which is now 20 years old, a youngster really! It has everything a wild natural haven may need.

Delicious recipe from Hospitalfield Head Chef

Wednesday 30 November, 2022

Pickled radicchio, feta and toasted walnuts recipe from Hospitalfield Head Chef Elaine Chalmers.

My Scottish Wild Garden - Early Winter

Tuesday 22 November, 2022

I am the grateful and proud custodian of my wild garden consisting of 12 acres which is now 20 years old, a youngster really! It has everything a wild natural haven may need.

Photography Competition

Monday 21 November, 2022

New for 2022, to celebrate Visit Scotland’s Year of Stories, we invited you to share the stories of your garden visits and open days through the year by entering our first ever photography competition!

My Scottish Wild Garden - Welcome

Tuesday 1 November, 2022

I am the grateful and proud custodian of my wild garden consisting of 12 acres which is now 20 years old, a youngster really! It has everything a wild natural haven may need.

2022 Conference

Tuesday 4 October, 2022

Scotland's Gardens Scheme 2022 Conference took place on 27 September at Blair Castle.

Spiced Apple and Pear Chutney Recipe.

Saturday 1 October, 2022

Making chutney is a great way of storing a seasonal glut of fruit and veg to enjoy in the colder months. This recipe is easy to follow even for beginners.

How to propagate from cuttings

Friday 30 September, 2022

In this short video tutorial Penny Wright demonstrates how to propagate from cuttings.

How To Save Seeds

Friday 30 September, 2022

In this short video tutorial Penny Wright demonstrates how to save and store seeds collected from plants growing in your garden.

Spring Bling

Monday 5 September, 2022

With a little careful thought when choosing your bulbs, you can also provide a vital early spring lifeline to insects.

Visit Corners House in Gattonside

Wednesday 22 June, 2022

'In my most difficult times gardening has been my solace. In 1999 and 2001, my eldest grandsons were born. Both have Fragile X Syndrome.'