Founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, the Royal Botanic Garden is now home to a living collection of more than 250,000 plants. No two times of the year are the same in the gardens, so here’s our season-by-season guide for what to see:
SPRING: Head to the Alpine House in early spring to see the first flowers of the year: snowdrops and Chinese witch hazels. As the season advances, pink magnolia flowers bloom alongside pastel-shaded winter roses and wake robins. Feeling chilly? Grab a tea in the Terrace Café.
SUMMER: The garden is a riot of color in summer, from Himalayan blue poppies in the Woodland Garden to yellow-pink Golden Jubilee roses in the Queen Mother’s Memorial Garden. Lay a blanket on the lawn in front of Inverleith House for a picnic with a city view.
AUTUMN: Carpets of bright pink Guernsey lilies, purple crocuses and crimson flag lilies abound in autumn. Kids will love playing in the fallen leaves, while sniffing the burnt caramel in the air (the natural aroma of the Japanese katsura tree).
WINTER: The garden is far from bare in winter, as the burnt-orange branches of scarlet willow trees brighten up the place. There are also the temperate and tropical greenhouses, ideal for warming up on a winter’s day. As spring approaches, pale-yellow catkins start to appear.
