Gardeners are a Bolshie Bunch

Gardeners are awkward people. Who says so? Scotland's top gardener for one.

Professor Stephen Blackmore is Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and he says that gardeners are stubborn people who keep on trying, ignoring failures. They think in terms of decades or centuries, often planting things that will not fully flourish until long after the gardener is dead.

Sharon enjoyed talking with Stephen yesterday at the Logan Botanic Garden. This is one of the world's most remarkable gardens. Despite being located in Scotland, it features many plants that need warm or mild climates, such as palms and exotic flowers. The sight of clumps of daffodils growing beneath palm trees is a little unusual and exotic bright coloured flowers are in bursting good health even after the recent savage winter. The reason for this is that the Rhins Peninsula, at the far west of Galloway, where Logan is situated, benefits from the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh dates back to 1670 and today it also operates the Logan Botanic Garden, the Benmore Botanic Garden and the Dawyck Botanic Garden. It is a major force for research and conservation and works in more than 40 countries around the world. Recently, for instance, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Queen Sirkit Botanic Garden in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the two organisations are to work closely together. A project relating to Thai ferns is under way. There are many plants from Asia at the Logan Botanic Garden, and the rhododendrons and camellias are particularly beautiful.

Sharon enjoyed talking to Stephen as he is an old Hong Kong hand, spending years of his childhood there and still visiting regularly. Sharing a common interest in the former British colony there was lots of talk of food and happy times.

Logan is well worth visiting. Although things are a little behind because of the long winter the plants are about to burst into bloom. In fact, some already have, including a dramatic purple magnolia from southwest China that produces giant flowers before bothering with leaves. “In the Walled and Woodland Gardens you'll encounter species fascinating and colourful, endangered and bizarre. Nearly half of these have been collected from the wild, and most are from the southern hemisphere. The majesty of antipodean tree ferns and gum trees, the vivid colours of Southern African flowers, the fragrance of tender rhododendrons and the stands of massive gunnera will delight and surprise you.”

There are plenty of facilities for the visitor, including the licensed Potting Shed Bistro, where Sharon tucked into a delicious carrot cake – studded with walnuts and with a “yummy topping”. The shop is packed with interesting items and books. This is also the place to pick up the little machine that provides a self-guided audio tour for a pound. There is a basic language version for children, no doubt it leaves out all the long Latin names of plants. First stop on any visit should be the Discovery Centre, which explains the history and purpose of the garden and includes microscopes to give a really close up look at how plants work.

Most of the garden is accessible to the disabled, although a bit of hefty pushing can be required in places as the paths are gravel, which isn't friendly to people on wheels, but wheelchairs are allowed on the grass. There is a fully equipped disabled toilet and wheelchairs can be borrowed on request. Access to the Potting Shed Bistro shop and Discovery Centre is no problem. Guide dogs are welcome, although Sharon smiled at the notice at the entrance which says that only “accompanied guide dogs” are admitted. Is there a problem with packs of unaccompanied guide dogs trying to get in?
The Logan Botanic Garden is 14 miles south of Stranraer on the B7065. Don't confuse it with the Logan House garden close by, which is also worth visiting. Also visit the remarkable Logan Fish Pond, the world's only larder for sea fish built 200 years ago for a local dignitary.

The botanic garden is open from 15 March to 31 October and on Sundays in February. From April to September it is open from 10am to 6pm. In March and October it is open from 10am to 5pm. In February it is open only on Sundays, from 10am to 4pm. Admission is five pounds for adults, one pound for children, and four pounds for concessions. A family admission is available for 10 pounds and discounts are available for pre-booked groups of 11 or more. Members of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh are admitted free – so it's well worth joining as free admission to the other gardens is also included together with other benefits. From April to September, a guided walk is offered, starting at 10am on the second Tuesday of the month. Car and coach parking is free and there is even shaded parking for dogs.

Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, DG9 9ND. Telephone 01776 860231. www.rbge.org.uk/logan.

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