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Written by Aileen Scoular Falkland Palace Garden
We take expert care of many of Scotland’s most beautiful and important gardens so the whole nation can enjoy them.
Looking after gardens and designed landscapes has been among the Trust’s core activities since day one. We care for more than 100,000 plants and 38 amazing gardens – 30 of which are listed in Scotland’s Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes as outstanding examples of gardens that are historically interesting, horticulturally impressive or, quite simply, a work of art.
But although the Trust takes immense pride in knowing its gardens are globally regarded, our foremost responsibility is to the people of Scotland. ‘We try to make our gardens accessible to as many people as possible, and we’re always thinking about how we can make the experience real and meaningful for visitors,’ explains Ann Steele, Head of Heritage Gardening.
First pangs of growth in our gardens
There are lots of small jobs to be done to put things to bed for the winter, and with spring around the corner the time is short for getting them done, says garden expert Olive Ryan
ABOVE: Snowdrops making an appearance along the lime avenue at Blarney Castle Gardens last week
Olive Ryan
SPRING is starting to make an appearance in the garden, as snowdrops brave the winter sunshine, winter aconites abound, the nodding heads of the flowers of helleborus appear emerging from the old foliage if it has not been removed, and even a few early daffodil varieties provide splashes of yellow in January.