Fun, conservation, art and education at Dawyck for 2020
-
Cicerbita alpina (Bob Dewar)
While stormy weather has heralded the start of season for Dawyck Botanic Garden, near Stobo, in the Scottish Borders, the coming months offer a dazzling array of events, exhibitions and conservation highlights.
Dawyck is traditionally a key place to visit for the Scottish Snowdrop Festival and this year is no exception with swathes of Galanthus lining the banks of the Scrape Burn, to the delight of all who love the tiny early spring favourite.
In the coming months, a myriad of new plants will be absorbed into the landscape. Notable arrivals include conservation conifers, collected during fieldwork in Nepal. Also new is a collection of Cicerbita alpina (alpine blue-sow-thistle). Now restricted to just five hard to reach sites in the Cairngorms, this delicate species is part of conservation efforts by Dawyck’s parent organisation, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).
The species is part of RBGE’s commitment to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, Target 8, to research and conserve native flora. RBGE is working in collaboration with Scottish Natural Heritage and landowners counting and monitoring remnant populations. Scientists and horticulturists work together, collecting leaves for genetic analyses and growing plants at RBGE’s Nursery for research and conservation translocations back into their natural environment.
Back In the warmth of Dawyck Visitor Centre, the Studio exhibition programme starts in style with Catching Shadows - and garden images. Running until Sunday, April 12, this new exhibition reflects how artist Janet Bone is inspired by shadows. She cuts stencils from both plant and origami shadows to make works on paper and cloth using mixed media.
Also new to the Visitor Centre is M&J Catering. With a fresh menu, Maureen Thornborrow and Jillian Sneddon bring new dishes to the table and retain many old favourites. As well as a range of snacks and light lunches, traditional afternoon teas are now bookable for the weekends.
In the coming months, as the Garden transforms with displays of rhododendrons, Himalayan blue poppies and countless more seasonal delights, there will be more events for all ages. From April 6, visitors will be invited to undertake a self-guided art trail adventure, discovering pieces of a fragmented puzzle created and displayed in the landscape by artist Anne Gilchrist. A Puzzle in the Garden is a self-guided art trail which offers itself as a walking experience of discovery and blending in with nature
Also in April, RBGE Herbaceous Supervisor Kirsty Wilson will be at Dawyck to offer tips in growing and planting out a variety plants and, in August, conservation horticulturist Martine Borge will be on hand to explain the work being undertaken to conserve Cicerbita alpina. Other activities range from plant sales and yoga to workshops. Local school children will, again, get special insight into our relationship with the environment in the annual Schools Week, sponsored by Players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and there is also a special birthday party celebrating the 350th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: from a small plots, the size of a tennis court, near the Palace of Holyroodhouse, to a world-leading centre of excellence across four Gardens around Scotland, working in more than 35 countries.
Ends
For further information or images, please contact Shauna Hay on 0131 248 2900/07824529028.
Editor’s Notes
Dawyck Botanic Garden, Stobo, near Peebles, in the Scottish Borders, is part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). It was the first Garden in the country to be recognised by VisitScotland of 5-star status and is the first carbon-neutral Garden in the UK It is open to the public daily from February 1 to November 30.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a leading international research organisation delivering knowledge, education and plant conservation action around the world. In Scotland its four Gardens at Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan attract nearly a million visitors each year. It operates as a Non Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Government. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by Ministers. Its mission is “To explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future.”
Similar press releases
See all newsBotanics Recommends
-
Browse through our diverse range of formal and informal education programmes for people of all ages and at all levels
-
RBGE publications include a range of titles with books on botany and botanical taxonomy, gardening and horticulture, art and history, children’s books and Guidebooks for all of our Gardens.
-
Knowledge Exchange links the research community with others.
-
View our selection of searchable resource centres.
-
Media Centre
Check our latest news and connect with our experts
-
Venue Hire
Find the ideal venue for your corporate event
-
Your dream wedding
The perfect setting to host your truly unique wedding.
-
Support us
Find out how you can support our work at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.