A sunny Gardening Scotland 2014 was packed with visitors looking for inspiration, that special plant or just enjoying a good day out.
Show gardens did not disappoint and were certainly attracting the local bees and butterflies with their naturalistic planting schemes.
Airy stems of veronica’s and grasses provided a framework for structural plants, with large purple globes of allium shooting upward to provide height and movement.
Popular this year was the use of native orchids and those of us who have them wild in the garden realised just how lucky we are when we saw the price tag of £30 per plant.
Many of the gardens were commemorating the centenary of World War One.
One exhibit depicted a forgotten corner of an estate whose young gardener had left to fight in the war, whilst another had it’s own WWI trench.
The skill of the designers and gardeners was very much in evidence but one that particularly took our attention was “The Woodman’s Hut Garden” where the expertly crafted woodland planting looked as though it had been there for years. An incredible skill deserved of it’s gold medal award.
Displays in the New Hopetoun Gardens Floral Hall were equally impressive, as the growers and horticultural organisations displayed the latest in plant breeding alongside some rare beauties.
A long standing feature of Gardening Scotland are the 1m x 1m pallet gardens, crammed with delightful miniature displays. Amongst them this year; A 7th centenary commemoration of the Battle of Bannockburn, A depiction of a Japanese island and a wonderful plant pot which on closer inspection had tiny steps running along a crack in the terracotta.
Visitors enjoyed chefs preparing some delicious food in the Albert Bartlett Cookery Theatre and talks from gardeners in the RHS Gardening Theatre.
Entertainment included music from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Gardening Scotland is readily accessible from Edinburgh Haymarket. Lothian Buses lay on a special which stops just outside Haymarket station and takes you right to the show entrance….nothing could be easier.
Don’t miss out on next year’s Gardening Scotland event which will be held from Friday 29th May to Sunday 31st May. Visit the Gardening Scotland website for more information.