Garden of the week

Nestled in the Scottish Borders, the five-star Dawyck Botanic Garden enjoys a climate in which an abundance of plant species can thrive. The 65-acre landscape is one of the four gardens of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and is renowned for its seasonal displays, including treasures from Nepal, China, Chile and more.

The garden is set to open to visitors for the 2019 season on 1 February and showcase its spectacular snowdrop collection for the Scottish Snowdrop Festival. The majestic white gems that herald the start of spring will carpet the banks of the Scrape Burn and will soon be followed by daffodils, bluebells, rhododendrons, azaleas and meconopsis (Himalayan blue poppies).

Each Sunday in February, a volunteer garden guide will take visitors on a tour of Dawyck to see the snowdrops and other seasonal highlights, talk about the history of the garden and how it is managed. In spring, Dawyck is taking part in the Scottish Rhododendron Festival, which runs from 1 April to 31 May, and will showcase its valuable collection of rhododendrons.

Dawyck is also home to one of Scotland’s finest tree collections, including some of Britain’s oldest and tallest specimens. It is this impressive collection that attracts many visitors to the garden throughout the year. Its oldest tree is a European silver fir (Abies alba) planted in 1680 during the reign of Charles II. Other species of note are the Douglas fir, named after the intrepid plant collector David Douglas, Lawson cypress and giant Sierra redwood.

Visitors can enjoy themed trails and discover the Heron Wood Reserve and Cryptogamic Sanctuary, the world’s first reserve for mosses, liverworts, lichens and fungi. The garden also runs events throughout the year including family activities, guided walks and exhibitions. There is an award-winning cafe, shop and plant sales.

Website: www.rbge.org.uk/dawyck Telephone: 01721 760254

Admission costs: £7 adults, £6 concessions, under-16s free

Opening times: Daily 10am. Closes 4pm in February and November; 5pm March and October and 6pm April to September

Garden of the Week is in association with Discover Scottish Gardens. For more information, advice and day-out ideas, visit discoverscottishgardens.org