Saughton Park and Gardens, Edinburgh
Balgreen Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3BQ
Fords Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3HP
Travelling into Edinburgh along the A71 from the A720 City Bypass, many may not realise that they are driving past one of the city’s horticultural gems.
Created in the 1900s, Saughton Park and Gardens originally featured a walled garden, extensive herbaceous borders, rose gardens, a rock garden and a large glass winter garden, which used the glasshouse from the 1908 Scottish National Exhibition that had been held in the park.
Over the years, however, time took its toll and the park was in need of some care and attention. Since 2012, with the support of Heritage Lottery Funding, The City of Edinburgh Council, The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (The Caley) and the Friends of Saughton Park, the park and gardens have been undergoing a significant restoration project, with all supporters working in partnership to return it to its former glory.
The long herbaceous borders have been replanted and the indoor winter garden has been remodeled. The bandstand has been brought out of storage, restored and placed inside the walled garden in an area of prairie style planting. The Friends of Saughton Park have used raised beds to establish a physic garden, full of interesting information. The rose garden has been improved with roses underplanted with herbaceous plants and thanks to the support of the Orchard Project there is also a trained fruit orchard in the rose garden.
Horticulture and community remain at the heart of this project, with plans for The Caley to use the park as its office base. With many points of horticultural interest, Saughton Park and Gardens can once again be named as one of Scotland’s finest public parks – just as it was in 1911.
Website: https://www.friendsofsaughtonpark.org/
Opening times: Walled Garden is open from 9am to 9pm; Winter Garden 9am-6pm
Admission costs: Free
Garden of the Week is in association with Discover Scottish Gardens. For more information, advice and day-out ideas, visit discoverscottishgardens.org
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