Podcast - The Scottish Garden Podcast
Scotland, with its temperate climate and clear air, makes for stunning gardens and in this podcast, Julianne Robertson explores Scottish gardens, nurseries and horticultural events, talking to a host of people in the Scottish horticultural world.
There’s a good interview with Jim Jermyn of Branklyn Garden in Perth who talks about the history of the garden and the plant hunters of the 1920s who brought back rare plants and seeds to help create this small hidden gem. Jim discusses the main attraction, their national collection of blue poppies that originate from the Himalayas and thrive in the Scottish climate. There’s also a lovely tea room – and if you’re tempted to visit, Jim suggests May onwards.
Other important Scottish gardens covered in the podcast include an interview with Ian Cunningham, Head Gardener of Scone Palace Gardens, also in Perthshire, and a chat with Keri Ivins of Cambo gardens, which has so many highlights including the snowdrop walk which goes through the trees and out onto a beach, a walled garden, kitchen garden and glass houses.
We also get an insight into what’s involved in the running of the world-famous Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in a discussion with Simon Milne, the garden’s Regius Keeper (which means he was appointed by the Queen no less). It’s well worth the short trip out to this 70-acre plant lovers’ paradise with fabulous historic greenhouses and exotic plants galore.
Photographer Ray Cox – whose family run the world famous Glendoick garden in Perthshire, gives us a glimpse into what his work involves, including the 4am starts! Another gardener with horticulture in the blood is Caroline Thomson of Backhouse Rossie. Caroline is a descendent of the Backhouse family and discusses the family’s connection with breeding and growing daffodils and their daffodil festival.
And for those interested in Scottish gardening on a smaller scale, the editor of the digital Scottish Gardens magazine discusses the realities of gardening in Scotland’s unique climate.
