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Peeblesshire Garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Set in a Peeblesshire valley, which would otherwise be barren hillside, Dawyck Botanic Garden has a history of planting that goes back over 300 years and today’s visitors can admire some of the oldest and tallest trees in Europe.

One of the world’s finest arboreta, 60 acre Dawyck is one of the four Gardens of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), an internationally renowned scientific research organisation which has been concerned for over 300 years with the worldwide study of plants and their diversity. Taking its name from the Dawyck Estate, of which it was formerly a part, the arboretum was gifted to the nation in 1987 by Colonel AN Balfour and passed into the care of RBGE.

The season starts early at Dawyck with large drifts of snowdrops by the burn which at their best during February and March. They are followed in quick succession by Narcissus in March, April and May with Bluebells and scented azaleas following in May and June.

During March and April the first of the Rhododendrons begin to flower and, weather permitting, Rhododendrons can in flower at Dawyck until August reaching their peak during late May early June.

The fabled Blue Himalayan Poppy or Meconopsis are at their peak during late May into early June and from then until late summer the Burnside herbaceous plantings are at their best.

Autumn is a magical time at Dawyck with the first trees starting to turn in early September with a succession of colour until the last leaf is shed in November.

More photographs of Dawyck Botanic Garden

Visitor Centre	Snowdrops at Dutch Bridge	Azalea Terrace
Meconopsis	Lysichiton americanum	Acer