The terraced Peat Walls were constructed in 1939 for plants that like moist, acid soil conditions. They were copied from those created by the McDouall brothers at Logan Botanic Garden for their Sino-Himalayan treasures a few years previously. Moss and liverworts can be a problem and regular replanting and dividing is required. The peat blocks, which are taken from a low-grade site, are only replaced every 15 years.
Plants grown in the Peat Walls include Cassiope, dwarf rhododendrons, Meconopsis, Nomocharis, gentians, trilliums and Phyllodoce.
Gentians also feature prominently, as RBGE grows 75 of the 400 species, and in spring and September the creeping plants with their blue flowers are unmissable.
Renovation 2010
Unfortunately a pernicious and perennial weed, Cymbalaria muralis (ivy-leaved toadflax), has become such a problem that we have decided to renovate these beds. All woody plants in the bed are being propagated while the herbaceous species have been lifted and painstakingly washed and cleaned. The bed will then be treated to remove perennila weeds. In the meantime we ask that you please excuse the lack of plants in this area!
Winter 2011
Construction work has started using peat blocks obtained from Scandinavia, which would otherwise have been used for power generation. But in Edinburgh they will make a fantastic home for many new ericaceous (peat loving) plants
