Location
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Set in a secluded Peeblesshire valley, close to the River Tweed, Dawyck Botanic Garden has a history of planting that goes back over 300 years, with today’s visitors able to admire some of the oldest and tallest trees in Europe.
One of the world’s finest arboreta, the 65-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 with the worldwide study of plants and their diversity since it was founded as a physic garden in the 17th century. Taking its name from the Dawyck Estate, of which it was formerly a part, Dawyck Botanic Garden was gifted to the nation in 1978 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 are 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, reaching their peak colours during late May/early June. Weather permitting, some even remain in flower until August.
Meanwhile, the fabled Blue Himalayan Poppy, or Meconopsis, are at their peak during late May into early June and from then, until late summer, it's the burnside herbaceous plantings that are at their best.
Autumn is a particularly magical time at Dawyck, with the first trees starting to turn in early September and a blaze of vibrant colour until the last leaf is shed in November.