The PLANTS project: 10 reflections

Memorable plants: plants in the passing

Jennifer, PLANTS West Inventory Manager

As an inventory manager, much of my work involved walking around the gardens in order to assign tasks, record progress, define locations and communicate with the inventory team and gardeners. However, during all of this task-focused work, I often had the pleasure to regularly pass by certain plants, often at the side of a path, that would become familiar friends and brighten my day.

Memorable experience: working alongside gardeners at Arduaine

Lucrezia, PLANTS West Inventory Officer

It’s hard to believe the PLANTS project is coming to an end. While I can only speak for myself, I’m certain many of my colleagues share this bittersweet feeling. Over the past two and a half years, we’ve explored so many incredible gardens, each one unique and inspiring. But for me, the highlight was our visit to Arduaine – and there’s a few reasons why.

We visited Arduaine in the second year of the project, a time when I’d started to feel more confident in the role. Upon arrival, I was struck by how different the garden was – with its diverse plant collection and breathtaking views, Arduaine felt like stepping into another world.

What made the experience truly unforgettable, though, was working closely with the gardeners at the property. I had the privilege of teaming up with Graham, a passionate and knowledgeable gardener with a knack for teaching (and cracking jokes). From him, I learned about the fascinating, complex world of rhododendrons. With over 1,200 species in the wild, identifying them can be very challenging. Graham did a fantastic job explaining to me the various characteristics to look for to improve identification, such as the presence of tiny scales on the leaf surface. This feature alone divides this enormous genus into two major groups: lepidotes (rhododendrons with scales) and elepidotes (those without scales).

Those weeks were filled with discovery and left me buzzing with a motivation I hadn’t felt in a long time. My colleagues felt equally enriched from working with the other team members at Arduaine, and throughout the project we were lucky to have similar experiences at other gardens. I feel extremely privileged to have worked alongside such talented plant experts and wonderful people, and I’m certain our time at Arduaine and other properties wouldn’t have been nearly as good if it wasn’t for their gardeners! 

It goes without saying that these nearly three years have been an incredible journey, which I will cherish in my heart forever.

Memorable experience: working in such a wide range of gardens

Fran, PLANTS West Inventory Officer

For me the chance to work in so many different gardens during the project was a real highlight. I found each garden in the South-West region had a unique identity and charm. From the educational focus of Threave, impressively crafted by generations of students, to the peace and tranquillity of Geilston, to the small and unassuming farmhouse garden of Wester Kittochside. 

While there are shared themes at these gardens, such as growing fruit and vegetables, the botanical richness of Threave with its fine arboretum and woodland, and Geilston’s stunning herbaceous borders all stood out.

In many gardens, I’ve caught glimpses of Scottish history, such as in the historic walled gardens of Culzean and Greenbank. One an imposing coastal castle, the other a grand suburban house – but both with wonderful walled gardens that have been cultivated for hundreds of years. Old fruit trees feature in both walled gardens, while more recent plantings include a tea border at Culzean and a prairie bed at Greenbank.

I’ve learned about the strong links some gardens have to cultural figures, such as Robert Burns and E A Hornel, both of whom were inspired by the landscapes that can still be seen from the gardens today: the landscaped gardens around RBBM enjoy views of the Brig o’ Doon, and Broughton House’s intimate garden offers fine views across the Dee estuary. A wide range of roses grow at both gardens and a magnificent old wisteria is a highlight at Broughton.

I’ve come to appreciate architectural gems such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House and Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson’s Holmwood. The garden surrounding each building adds so much to the character of these sites and include areas managed for wildflowers, such as native orchids.

I had a feeling before I even went that I’d love the west coast gardens of Arduaine, Brodick and Crarae for their natural beauty and remote location. Together with their vast collections of interesting and unusual plants, they were all I’d hoped they’d be ... and more. The huge collection of rhododendrons we encountered across all three sites was a great chance to study the genus.

I’ve admired the work and dedication of each team I’ve had the fortune to meet along the way. And I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to learn from the gardens, the gardeners and from the plants themselves. The PLANTS project has been a celebration of not only the plants but also the wide range of gardens they call home.

Memorable plant: Wollemi pines

Charlotte, PLANTS East Inventory Officer

In May 2024 I had the opportunity to visit Inverewe Garden as part of the PLANTS project. This unique and special garden is near the village of Poolewe, on the north-west coast. I had a wonderful time working alongside the whole PLANTS project team and the gardeners based there – it helped that we were blessed with two weeks of sunshine during our stay. 

Among the many standout plants at Inverewe I was particularly taken by the Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis). This tree was once thought to be extinct in the wild but was ‘rediscovered’ in 1994 by a ranger in Wollemi National Park, Australia. Fewer than 100 specimens of this plant have been found in the wild, and they are classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, meaning they are among the world’s rarest plants. 

I felt very fortunate to see them in person at Inverewe, which is home to one of the most northerly collections of Wollemi pines in the world. These plants (playfully known as ‘dinosaur trees’) are often referred to as living fossils because the earliest fossilized evidence of the tree dates back 90 million years to the Cretaceous period. The Wollemi pine exemplifies the importance of cultivating plants that may otherwise become extinct in the wild and lost forever.

Memorable plant: the genus Cassiope D.Don

Alistair, PLANTS East Inventory Manager

I have long been intrigued by these fascinating shrubs and the PLANTS project allowed me to enumerate, examine and record the National Collection of Cassiope at Branklyn Garden. There are about 17 species in the genus, growing chiefly in the Arctic and Himalayan mountain range; they are obviously very hardy. First described by Carolus Linnaeus after seeing them in Lapland in 1732, further species were added by Forfar-born botanist David Don in 1834. They are dwarf, evergreen shrubs with white, occasionally pink, 4-or 5-petaled flowers. Flowering can be prolific and they are a favourite at alpine shows.

They are long-lived, lasting for up to 60 years, and are used to monitor climate change in the Arctic, where the annual extension growth can be correlated with temperature. They need an acidic growing medium and high rainfall, and are becoming more difficult to cultivate in Scotland as global temperatures rise. Only six species are commonly grown in the UK, although several hybrids and cultivated forms are also cultivated. 

The National Collection at Branklyn Garden consists of eight species (two of which are probably unique in Britain), six subspecies and varieties, and sixteen cultivars including a new cultivar Cassiope ‘Thomas Erlend’ currently in the process of being registered. The National Collection at Branklyn is the only one of the genus in the UK therefore is very important to conserve. Historically, there are records of Cassiope being grown in the garden from 1928 onwards.

Memorable plants: identification knowledge

Philippa, PLANTS North Inventory Officer

The start of our third and final year of surveying gardens was a key moment in the PLANTS project for me. In February 2024 at Brodie Castle, it struck me how much I had learned in the previous two years of surveys. While working in the Shrubbery, I found that many trees which were not in leaf were immediately recognisable to me by their form, bark, twigs and buds.

At a glance I could see the characteristic shoehorn-shaped plates of bark on the mature Acer pseudoplatanus and the regular vertical ridges in the grey columns of Acer platanoides. The Fraxinus excelsior showed big black buds at the upturned ends of its ski-jump-shaped twigs, and the white column of the Betula utilis ‘Jacquemontii’ lit up the scene. Although too early for leaves, it was the perfect time for early flowering shrubs like Hamamelis mollis and Cornus mas to put on their bright yellow show, and for the long drooping catkins of Corylus avellana.

All the team have learned a huge amount during the PLANTS project, from the garden staff and volunteers, from training, from personal research, from sharing with each other on the team and from our own observation of plants. We finish the project enriched by this experience, also hoping that the data we have gathered will help to enrich future visitors’ experience of the Trust gardens.

Memorable garden: Castle Fraser

Valeria, PLANTS North Inventory Officer

One of the gardens I have enjoyed the most is the one at Castle Fraser. This castle, situated in Aberdeenshire near the village of Kemnay, has its origins in the 15th century and is one of the largest tower houses in Scotland. Its estate comprises spacious parklands, diverse woodlands and a historic walled garden, which was remodelled in the early 2000s and now features specimen trees, herbaceous borders, and a rich variety of fruits and vegetables. 

The PLANTS North team’s main visit to the garden took place in August 2023. Blessed with excellent weather, we received an exceptional welcome from Head Gardener Ruth and gardeners Tim, Joanna, Kerry, and the rest of the team, including all the volunteers. They were always happy to assist us and made us feel truly welcome, offering us delicious coffee and biscuits. During our visit, we also had the chance to explore the castle, browse its charming second-hand bookshop, and contribute to a public archaeological excavation carried out on the front lawn. 

Among the many beautiful plants we encountered, one standout was the old holly bush (Ilex aquifolium), located on the lawn to the east of the castle. With an impressive girth of 3.17 metres, it is believed to be one of the oldest holly trees in Scotland. 

Another marvellous find was Inula hookeri, thriving in the herbaceous border just outside the walled garden. Its bright yellow blooms, covered in vibrant peacock butterflies, were a breathtaking sight. Castle Fraser is a truly special place, cared for by wonderful people. I will always treasure the memories of my time there.

Memorable plants: living fossils

Niki, PLANTS North Inventory Officer

I have always had a fascination for plant species that are often termed ‘living fossils’. I find it humbling to ponder species descended from plants that thrived millions of years ago, when the continents as we know them today were not yet formed. Although the gardens in the care of the National Trust for Scotland are full of vibrant and floriferous plants, at Crathes Castle there is an area within the walled garden that has a soothing palette of many shades of green with tapestries of texture. This is the Evolution Garden, with several different zones representing different geological epochs. I visit as often as I can; for me, it is an area of contemplation where I find a sense of peace and calm. 

One of the areas in this garden ‘room’ has been designed to represent Pangaea, the hypothetical landmass that existed when all the continents were joined, up to about 200 million years ago. It contains the smallest of the horsetails, Equisetum scirpoides, a family dating from the Jurassic period. It is an aquatic fern and reproduces by means of spore-bearing cones at the tips of its stems. It is thought-provoking to see these ancient plants, which have survived many changes in the climate of planet Earth, growing in the forward-looking green space of the Crathes Evolution Garden.

Memorable experience: training gardeners

Claire, PLANTS Data Manager

In many ways, the PLANTS project is just the beginning. Once we’ve surveyed a property and processed all the data, we pass responsibility for maintaining the records over to the gardeners. As part of this, I’ve provided training on IrisBG, the Trust’s plant records database, to over 100 gardeners, in venues ranging from the tiny bothy at Inveresk to the Georgian dining room at Greenbank and the modern meeting facilities at Crathes.

It’s been a privilege to get to know so many fantastic people and places in the process. It’s always satisfying when, after training, you start to see gardeners adding to the data from the project. But it’s not just about keeping our records up to date, it’s about how the Trust can use this information to better understand and manage its plant collections.

One particular highlight came during a team visit to Branklyn in October 2023, when Head Gardener Kate White showed us the rhododendrons her team were propagating from original plants introduced to the garden by its first owners, John and Dorothy Renton. These plants are integral to the garden’s character but the original specimens won’t live forever, so this work is key to maintaining Branklyn’s collections. When Kate explained that her team had identified which plants to propagate using the data on IrisBG, that’s when it really hit home what an amazing resource we have been able to provide.

Memorable experience: tours of gardens with head gardeners

Colin, PLANTS Project Manager

Leading the PLANTS project has been the best job I’ve ever had.

As project manager, I’ve had the privilege of visiting all 35 gardens involved – from the Edinburgh suburbs of Inveresk to the wild west coast of Inverewe. While it’s impossible to pick a single highlight, one theme stands out: the invaluable experience of touring each garden with its Head Gardener. These tours offered insights far beyond what I could have learned alone. During pre-site visits, my regional team manager and I would introduce ourselves, outline the audit’s aims, discuss logistics and assess potential challenges. But the real magic came from the gardeners’ deep knowledge and passion.

Their expertise in the plants, history and evolution of their gardens has been crucial. At Arduaine, what seemed to me a nondescript Rhododendron arboreum turned out to be one of the first grown in the UK, dating back to the early 1900s. At Inverewe, I watched in fascination as the propagator worked – a joy for someone who loves sowing and growing. In Crarae, behind-the-scenes access led me to Fagus sylvatica ‘Crarae’, a beech tree I instantly fell in love with. And I’ve had the rare privilege of seeing plants at their peak, like the climbing Rosa ‘Antique’ at Hill of Tarvit, which has inspired a new addition to my own garden wall.

Beyond the plants, it’s the personal stories that have stayed with me. At Broughton House, the golden yew hedge (Taxus baccata ‘Semperaurea’) bordering the beds was chosen after the Head Gardener saw it at Geilston – a decision they now take pride in. These moments of passion, expertise and discovery will remain with me long after the project ends, and I’m truly grateful for the experience.

As the PLANTS project draws to a close, it leaves behind more than just an updated database and catalogued gardens – it has cultivated a deeper appreciation for Scotland’s botanical heritage among all who participated. The experiences shared by the team, from uncovering rare cultivars to forming bonds with dedicated gardeners, highlight the personal growth and professional insights gained throughout this journey.