Garden of the Season – University of Dundee Botanic Garden
Set over 9.5 hectares, on a south-facing site overlooking the River Tay, this urban greenspace is home to thousands of trees along with plant collections from around the world, some in borders and others in a range of glasshouses that provide shelter for both native and exotic species.
Opened in 1971, the garden is a centre of research into plants and biodiversity for the University, but in recent years it has widened the scope of its activities to include rewilding, along with measures to combat climate change both within the city and further afield.
More than 80,000 visitors pass through the gates every year to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the beautiful surroundings and to discover plants from the Americas, Australasia, Asia and the Mediterranean.
In winter, when the deciduous trees have shed their leaves, the garden’s large collection of towering conifers can be seen at their best and in the tropical glasshouse, coffee, cococca, citrus and other species that have had huge economic and cultural impact on the world are now in flower. From colourful Bougainvillea to highly-scented stephanotis, the glasshouses are a popular spot to explore when the weather is cold outside.
Dundee Botanics is involved in rewilding projects across the city and it has strong links to the community with innovative projects that unite science and art. It is home to the Good Grief Garden which opened last year. This is the world’s first garden dedicated to victims of the Pandemic and it features colourful stained glass obelisks and new trees. In March it becomes a focus for Marie Curie’s Day of Reflection which is held annually to remember those who lost their lives to Covid.
The Botanics also has a sculpture garden where the most recent installations are wood carvings of pollen grains by artist Ailsa Magnuswhich were made from trees in the garden that were blown down during Storm Arwen. There is also a new piece of land art that measures 50m long and which reflects the different shapes that the same storm took when it struck the garden in 2023, as well as the Green Room Gallery, set in a low-energy building with views towards the Tay, exhibits nature-based works by aspiring and established artists.
Through its many initiatives, which include green prescribing by local GPs, the garden is exploring nature-based solutions to issues including health and wellbeing, and curator Kevin Frediani has rebranded the garden as The Living Lab to reflect the scope of its ambitions and activities, meanwhile a recent report has revealed that the garden and the wider tree collection contained with the University of Dundee, has a significant impact on air quality and flood prevention within the city, supporting many different species of wildlife and soaking up carbon that would otherwise contribute to global warming.
Details:
The gardens are open daily, 10am -3pm.
Entrance: Free
Tel: 01382 381190
