Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
@thebotanics.bsky.social
Hi Bluesky! 👋
🌿 Four Gardens, One Botanic World
🌍 Global centre for biodiversity science, horticulture and education
📍 Visit Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck & Logan
https://www.rbge.org.uk/
🌿 Four Gardens, One Botanic World
🌍 Global centre for biodiversity science, horticulture and education
📍 Visit Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck & Logan
https://www.rbge.org.uk/
One of the more unusual items in our herbarium collection! This old leather boot is home to several types of lichen 🥾
It was collected on a beach in 1975 by Brian J Coppins in Ballantrae, Scotland.
Read more on the weird and wonderful specimen here: stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/40742
It was collected on a beach in 1975 by Brian J Coppins in Ballantrae, Scotland.
Read more on the weird and wonderful specimen here: stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/40742
November 14, 2025 at 9:51 AM
One of the more unusual items in our herbarium collection! This old leather boot is home to several types of lichen 🥾
It was collected on a beach in 1975 by Brian J Coppins in Ballantrae, Scotland.
Read more on the weird and wonderful specimen here: stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/40742
It was collected on a beach in 1975 by Brian J Coppins in Ballantrae, Scotland.
Read more on the weird and wonderful specimen here: stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/40742
Celebrating spooky season with botanical art 🎨 🎃
- The black bat flower (Tacca chantrieri) by Billy Showell, and Eve Reid Bennett (1932-2006) who taught botanical illustration at the Garden for many years.
- Bat by Mungo Park (1771-1806)
- Devil's pumpkin by an unknown artist
- The black bat flower (Tacca chantrieri) by Billy Showell, and Eve Reid Bennett (1932-2006) who taught botanical illustration at the Garden for many years.
- Bat by Mungo Park (1771-1806)
- Devil's pumpkin by an unknown artist
October 31, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Celebrating spooky season with botanical art 🎨 🎃
- The black bat flower (Tacca chantrieri) by Billy Showell, and Eve Reid Bennett (1932-2006) who taught botanical illustration at the Garden for many years.
- Bat by Mungo Park (1771-1806)
- Devil's pumpkin by an unknown artist
- The black bat flower (Tacca chantrieri) by Billy Showell, and Eve Reid Bennett (1932-2006) who taught botanical illustration at the Garden for many years.
- Bat by Mungo Park (1771-1806)
- Devil's pumpkin by an unknown artist
We're pleased to announce that Dr Julia Knights has been appointed as the 17th Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and will be joining us in January.
Julia will succeed Simon Milne MBE, who will retire after more than a decade of visionary leadership. More: rbge.cc/regius-keeper
Julia will succeed Simon Milne MBE, who will retire after more than a decade of visionary leadership. More: rbge.cc/regius-keeper
September 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
We're pleased to announce that Dr Julia Knights has been appointed as the 17th Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and will be joining us in January.
Julia will succeed Simon Milne MBE, who will retire after more than a decade of visionary leadership. More: rbge.cc/regius-keeper
Julia will succeed Simon Milne MBE, who will retire after more than a decade of visionary leadership. More: rbge.cc/regius-keeper
🌿 Rare opportunity! We’re partnering with the National Trust for Scotland to offer a paid, two-year traineeship in lichenology.
Applications are open now. Find full details and apply by Friday 3 October: www.asva.co.uk/jobs/trainee...
@n-t-s.bsky.social
Applications are open now. Find full details and apply by Friday 3 October: www.asva.co.uk/jobs/trainee...
@n-t-s.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 10:12 AM
🌿 Rare opportunity! We’re partnering with the National Trust for Scotland to offer a paid, two-year traineeship in lichenology.
Applications are open now. Find full details and apply by Friday 3 October: www.asva.co.uk/jobs/trainee...
@n-t-s.bsky.social
Applications are open now. Find full details and apply by Friday 3 October: www.asva.co.uk/jobs/trainee...
@n-t-s.bsky.social
🌴 Our iconic Palm Houses are entering a new chapter.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look now the huge project is nearing competition.
Our Garden teams will soon start landscaping and replanting more than 600 botanical specimens before we re-open the doors in 2026 🥳
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look now the huge project is nearing competition.
Our Garden teams will soon start landscaping and replanting more than 600 botanical specimens before we re-open the doors in 2026 🥳
September 10, 2025 at 9:35 AM
🌴 Our iconic Palm Houses are entering a new chapter.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look now the huge project is nearing competition.
Our Garden teams will soon start landscaping and replanting more than 600 botanical specimens before we re-open the doors in 2026 🥳
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look now the huge project is nearing competition.
Our Garden teams will soon start landscaping and replanting more than 600 botanical specimens before we re-open the doors in 2026 🥳
📢 We're hiring!
We're looking for a dedicated ICCP Researcher / Red Listing Co-ordinator to take a leading role in our renowned International Conifer Conservation Programme 🌲
Apply by midday on Friday 26 September: rbge.cc/jobs
We're looking for a dedicated ICCP Researcher / Red Listing Co-ordinator to take a leading role in our renowned International Conifer Conservation Programme 🌲
Apply by midday on Friday 26 September: rbge.cc/jobs
September 2, 2025 at 9:49 AM
📢 We're hiring!
We're looking for a dedicated ICCP Researcher / Red Listing Co-ordinator to take a leading role in our renowned International Conifer Conservation Programme 🌲
Apply by midday on Friday 26 September: rbge.cc/jobs
We're looking for a dedicated ICCP Researcher / Red Listing Co-ordinator to take a leading role in our renowned International Conifer Conservation Programme 🌲
Apply by midday on Friday 26 September: rbge.cc/jobs
🎉 We're proud to have been shortlisted for Best Individual Giving Campaign at the Scottish Fundraising Awards for our Storm Damage Appeal.
The emergency appeal was launched in response to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn earlier this year.
We look forward to finding out the results in September!
The emergency appeal was launched in response to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn earlier this year.
We look forward to finding out the results in September!
July 21, 2025 at 10:01 AM
🎉 We're proud to have been shortlisted for Best Individual Giving Campaign at the Scottish Fundraising Awards for our Storm Damage Appeal.
The emergency appeal was launched in response to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn earlier this year.
We look forward to finding out the results in September!
The emergency appeal was launched in response to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn earlier this year.
We look forward to finding out the results in September!
📢 We have a rare and exciting opportunity to become the Curator of Dawyck Botanic Garden in the Scottish Borders.
This is a key role responsible for the overall vision, management, and presentation of the Garden.
Find more details and apply: rbge.cc/Jobs
Please share with your networks!
This is a key role responsible for the overall vision, management, and presentation of the Garden.
Find more details and apply: rbge.cc/Jobs
Please share with your networks!
July 14, 2025 at 11:04 AM
📢 We have a rare and exciting opportunity to become the Curator of Dawyck Botanic Garden in the Scottish Borders.
This is a key role responsible for the overall vision, management, and presentation of the Garden.
Find more details and apply: rbge.cc/Jobs
Please share with your networks!
This is a key role responsible for the overall vision, management, and presentation of the Garden.
Find more details and apply: rbge.cc/Jobs
Please share with your networks!
NEW PAPER: Research has uncovered an archive of information about Benmore Botanic Garden's Victorian fernery.
The building played a significant role in the Scottish expression of the Victorian craze for ferns.
🌿 Read the paper by David Gray, Senior Horticulturist at the Garden: rbge.cc/fernery
The building played a significant role in the Scottish expression of the Victorian craze for ferns.
🌿 Read the paper by David Gray, Senior Horticulturist at the Garden: rbge.cc/fernery
July 9, 2025 at 8:59 AM
NEW PAPER: Research has uncovered an archive of information about Benmore Botanic Garden's Victorian fernery.
The building played a significant role in the Scottish expression of the Victorian craze for ferns.
🌿 Read the paper by David Gray, Senior Horticulturist at the Garden: rbge.cc/fernery
The building played a significant role in the Scottish expression of the Victorian craze for ferns.
🌿 Read the paper by David Gray, Senior Horticulturist at the Garden: rbge.cc/fernery
Applications are now OPEN for our brilliant paid Biodiversity Ambassador Traineeship, open to applicants across Scotland.
Enhance your understanding of biodiversity and community engagement, share your learnings with community groups and improve your employability skills.
Apply here 👉 rbge.cc/Jobs
Enhance your understanding of biodiversity and community engagement, share your learnings with community groups and improve your employability skills.
Apply here 👉 rbge.cc/Jobs
June 26, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Applications are now OPEN for our brilliant paid Biodiversity Ambassador Traineeship, open to applicants across Scotland.
Enhance your understanding of biodiversity and community engagement, share your learnings with community groups and improve your employability skills.
Apply here 👉 rbge.cc/Jobs
Enhance your understanding of biodiversity and community engagement, share your learnings with community groups and improve your employability skills.
Apply here 👉 rbge.cc/Jobs
These beautiful foxgloves have appeared across the Garden - not by design, but by nature.
By choosing to manage areas less intensively, we’ve created space for wildflowers to thrive naturally 🌿
By choosing to manage areas less intensively, we’ve created space for wildflowers to thrive naturally 🌿
June 23, 2025 at 12:51 PM
These beautiful foxgloves have appeared across the Garden - not by design, but by nature.
By choosing to manage areas less intensively, we’ve created space for wildflowers to thrive naturally 🌿
By choosing to manage areas less intensively, we’ve created space for wildflowers to thrive naturally 🌿
🌱 Ready to grow your skills? We’re delighted to launch our exciting new programme of short courses.
From horticulture and garden design to botanical painting, you’ll be supported by our experienced educators.
Explore the full programme: www.rbge.org.uk/learn/short-...
From horticulture and garden design to botanical painting, you’ll be supported by our experienced educators.
Explore the full programme: www.rbge.org.uk/learn/short-...
June 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM
🌱 Ready to grow your skills? We’re delighted to launch our exciting new programme of short courses.
From horticulture and garden design to botanical painting, you’ll be supported by our experienced educators.
Explore the full programme: www.rbge.org.uk/learn/short-...
From horticulture and garden design to botanical painting, you’ll be supported by our experienced educators.
Explore the full programme: www.rbge.org.uk/learn/short-...
The plant, which is commonly known as the Sapphire flower, was donated to Logan Botanic Garden in 2013 by @rbgkew.bsky.social as part of an ongoing plant exchange programme that sees both gardens sharing resources 🌿
June 9, 2025 at 9:31 AM
The plant, which is commonly known as the Sapphire flower, was donated to Logan Botanic Garden in 2013 by @rbgkew.bsky.social as part of an ongoing plant exchange programme that sees both gardens sharing resources 🌿
The rare Puya alpestris has bloomed again at Logan Botanic Garden - and this time it's a giant.
The plant, native to Chile, is clocking in at a mighty 12 feet! 😲
It bloomed for the first time at Logan in 2024 (at around 4 feet) making it the first outdoor flowering of the species in Scotland.
The plant, native to Chile, is clocking in at a mighty 12 feet! 😲
It bloomed for the first time at Logan in 2024 (at around 4 feet) making it the first outdoor flowering of the species in Scotland.
June 9, 2025 at 9:31 AM
The rare Puya alpestris has bloomed again at Logan Botanic Garden - and this time it's a giant.
The plant, native to Chile, is clocking in at a mighty 12 feet! 😲
It bloomed for the first time at Logan in 2024 (at around 4 feet) making it the first outdoor flowering of the species in Scotland.
The plant, native to Chile, is clocking in at a mighty 12 feet! 😲
It bloomed for the first time at Logan in 2024 (at around 4 feet) making it the first outdoor flowering of the species in Scotland.
Let's hear it for our amazing volunteers - we couldn’t do it without you! 👏
Over 250 volunteers help keep our four Gardens thriving, from tending to the Gardens, to assisting in our galleries.
This #VolunteersWeek, we’re celebrating their incredible passion, skills, and impact 💚
Over 250 volunteers help keep our four Gardens thriving, from tending to the Gardens, to assisting in our galleries.
This #VolunteersWeek, we’re celebrating their incredible passion, skills, and impact 💚
June 2, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Let's hear it for our amazing volunteers - we couldn’t do it without you! 👏
Over 250 volunteers help keep our four Gardens thriving, from tending to the Gardens, to assisting in our galleries.
This #VolunteersWeek, we’re celebrating their incredible passion, skills, and impact 💚
Over 250 volunteers help keep our four Gardens thriving, from tending to the Gardens, to assisting in our galleries.
This #VolunteersWeek, we’re celebrating their incredible passion, skills, and impact 💚
It's that time of year again.
The Garden is awash with blue, with the return of the Himalayan poppies (Meconopsis). Catch the iconic bright blue bloom while they last! 💙
The Garden is awash with blue, with the return of the Himalayan poppies (Meconopsis). Catch the iconic bright blue bloom while they last! 💙
May 27, 2025 at 11:10 AM
It's that time of year again.
The Garden is awash with blue, with the return of the Himalayan poppies (Meconopsis). Catch the iconic bright blue bloom while they last! 💙
The Garden is awash with blue, with the return of the Himalayan poppies (Meconopsis). Catch the iconic bright blue bloom while they last! 💙
We're proud that all four of our sites across Scotland are taking part in #NoMowMay and leaving areas of the Gardens uncut 🌱
Alongside our existing biodiversity initiatives, allowing areas of longer grass helps to provide refuge and resources for all kinds of wildlife.
Are you taking part?
Alongside our existing biodiversity initiatives, allowing areas of longer grass helps to provide refuge and resources for all kinds of wildlife.
Are you taking part?
May 16, 2025 at 1:56 PM
We're proud that all four of our sites across Scotland are taking part in #NoMowMay and leaving areas of the Gardens uncut 🌱
Alongside our existing biodiversity initiatives, allowing areas of longer grass helps to provide refuge and resources for all kinds of wildlife.
Are you taking part?
Alongside our existing biodiversity initiatives, allowing areas of longer grass helps to provide refuge and resources for all kinds of wildlife.
Are you taking part?
🚨 New! We're excited to share that iconic feminist artist Linder Sterling's first retrospective in Scotland is coming to the Botanics, showcasing 50 years of trailblazing work.
📍Linder: Danger Came Smiling, 23 May – 19 October 2025 at Inverleith House Gallery. Recommended for ages 16+.
#Edinburgh
📍Linder: Danger Came Smiling, 23 May – 19 October 2025 at Inverleith House Gallery. Recommended for ages 16+.
#Edinburgh
May 12, 2025 at 11:10 AM
🚨 New! We're excited to share that iconic feminist artist Linder Sterling's first retrospective in Scotland is coming to the Botanics, showcasing 50 years of trailblazing work.
📍Linder: Danger Came Smiling, 23 May – 19 October 2025 at Inverleith House Gallery. Recommended for ages 16+.
#Edinburgh
📍Linder: Danger Came Smiling, 23 May – 19 October 2025 at Inverleith House Gallery. Recommended for ages 16+.
#Edinburgh
🎨 Great news - long-lost botanical illustrations by famed artist Lilian Snelling have returned to the Botanics!
The works, originally created at the Garden when Snelling took a role during the first world war, were rediscovered at auction by Cornish bookseller Tim Loe.
The works, originally created at the Garden when Snelling took a role during the first world war, were rediscovered at auction by Cornish bookseller Tim Loe.
April 29, 2025 at 9:28 AM
🎨 Great news - long-lost botanical illustrations by famed artist Lilian Snelling have returned to the Botanics!
The works, originally created at the Garden when Snelling took a role during the first world war, were rediscovered at auction by Cornish bookseller Tim Loe.
The works, originally created at the Garden when Snelling took a role during the first world war, were rediscovered at auction by Cornish bookseller Tim Loe.
'Tis the season for daffodils 💛
Did you know that 'daffodil' is the official common name for any spring-flowering plant under the Narcissus genus, including jonquils and paperwhites?
Narcissus knowledge, unlocked ✅
Did you know that 'daffodil' is the official common name for any spring-flowering plant under the Narcissus genus, including jonquils and paperwhites?
Narcissus knowledge, unlocked ✅
April 17, 2025 at 1:43 PM
'Tis the season for daffodils 💛
Did you know that 'daffodil' is the official common name for any spring-flowering plant under the Narcissus genus, including jonquils and paperwhites?
Narcissus knowledge, unlocked ✅
Did you know that 'daffodil' is the official common name for any spring-flowering plant under the Narcissus genus, including jonquils and paperwhites?
Narcissus knowledge, unlocked ✅
A glimpse into our world-famous herbarium... 👀
See some of the fascinating specimens and learn about the vital scientific role the collection plays in tackling biodiversity loss in our free exhibition, Pressed for Time.
Open daily at the John Hope Gateway Gallery 10am - 5pm, until Sunday 29 June 🌿
See some of the fascinating specimens and learn about the vital scientific role the collection plays in tackling biodiversity loss in our free exhibition, Pressed for Time.
Open daily at the John Hope Gateway Gallery 10am - 5pm, until Sunday 29 June 🌿
April 15, 2025 at 10:48 AM
A glimpse into our world-famous herbarium... 👀
See some of the fascinating specimens and learn about the vital scientific role the collection plays in tackling biodiversity loss in our free exhibition, Pressed for Time.
Open daily at the John Hope Gateway Gallery 10am - 5pm, until Sunday 29 June 🌿
See some of the fascinating specimens and learn about the vital scientific role the collection plays in tackling biodiversity loss in our free exhibition, Pressed for Time.
Open daily at the John Hope Gateway Gallery 10am - 5pm, until Sunday 29 June 🌿
Meet one of our Champion Trees, the Kazakh pear (Pyrus korshinskyi) 💪
At 8 metres tall with a trunk girth of 1.26 metres wide, this magnificent specimen is the largest of its species in cultivation in Britain.
At 8 metres tall with a trunk girth of 1.26 metres wide, this magnificent specimen is the largest of its species in cultivation in Britain.
April 9, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Meet one of our Champion Trees, the Kazakh pear (Pyrus korshinskyi) 💪
At 8 metres tall with a trunk girth of 1.26 metres wide, this magnificent specimen is the largest of its species in cultivation in Britain.
At 8 metres tall with a trunk girth of 1.26 metres wide, this magnificent specimen is the largest of its species in cultivation in Britain.
We're delighted to share that our Archive has been awarded Accredited Archive Status by Scottish Council on Archives 🥳
The Archive began as a small collection of interesting papers, letters, photographs and illustrations. Now, it has thousands of boxes containing historic materials.
The Archive began as a small collection of interesting papers, letters, photographs and illustrations. Now, it has thousands of boxes containing historic materials.
April 2, 2025 at 11:13 AM
We're delighted to share that our Archive has been awarded Accredited Archive Status by Scottish Council on Archives 🥳
The Archive began as a small collection of interesting papers, letters, photographs and illustrations. Now, it has thousands of boxes containing historic materials.
The Archive began as a small collection of interesting papers, letters, photographs and illustrations. Now, it has thousands of boxes containing historic materials.
🚀 Ready to blast off to a new planet? Join our scientists to discover some truly out-of-this-world plants from our Herbarium collection and choose which you'd take into space.
Find our full Edinburgh Science Festival programme: rbge.cc/science-fest...
Find our full Edinburgh Science Festival programme: rbge.cc/science-fest...
March 31, 2025 at 9:47 AM
🚀 Ready to blast off to a new planet? Join our scientists to discover some truly out-of-this-world plants from our Herbarium collection and choose which you'd take into space.
Find our full Edinburgh Science Festival programme: rbge.cc/science-fest...
Find our full Edinburgh Science Festival programme: rbge.cc/science-fest...
With 40% of plants believed to be at risk of extinction, we're launching our new 10-year conservation plan to tackle the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency.
In a nutshell? Global collaboration and resource sharing between botanic gardens is vital.
Read our summary here 👉 rbge.cc/vision
In a nutshell? Global collaboration and resource sharing between botanic gardens is vital.
Read our summary here 👉 rbge.cc/vision
March 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
With 40% of plants believed to be at risk of extinction, we're launching our new 10-year conservation plan to tackle the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency.
In a nutshell? Global collaboration and resource sharing between botanic gardens is vital.
Read our summary here 👉 rbge.cc/vision
In a nutshell? Global collaboration and resource sharing between botanic gardens is vital.
Read our summary here 👉 rbge.cc/vision