The Eglinton and Glencairn Gardens are an oasis of calm in Edinburgh’s West End. Covering two acres, they consist of lawns, flower beds and a fine collection of trees including a Camperdown elm. They are well used and enjoyed by the residents of the two crescents and include a small children’s play area. The gardens are maintained on organic principles. Situated just off Palmerston Place, they are probably at their best in spring time with a profusion of blossom. Created at the end of the nineteenth century, the paths wander through the trees, shrubs and lawns, with plenty of places to sit and enjoy the peace of the gardens.

A rare opportunity to appreciate a mature garden which, with the exception of one magnificent old copper beech tree, is completely planted and created by its owner Alison Glen. Designed with an artist's appreciation of form, this woodland garden shelters a large collection of rhododendrons. There are many beautiful specimen trees and shrubs including Hoheria glabrata, Halesia carolina and several magnolia species. The garden is fully wheelchair accessible and there are several ways to move through it; from the Japanese-inspired stream garden presided over by a mature Pinus wallichiana at one end, to the newly developed borders at the other.

This much-loved, south-facing family garden has been created over the last 25 years with feature dry stone walls and interlinking paths. It is on four levels and designed to be informal with different areas of interest including a lawned area, flowers, shrubs, trees, raised beds, patios and a small greenhouse. The trees add colour with their carefully chosen different shades of leaves. The garden is particularly secluded and private, through the selection and positioning of the plants, and is designed to be 'easy maintenance'.

When Anna and James Buxton moved into Redcroft in 1986 they acquired a garden which had always been very well cared for. Since then the range of plants has been widened and it now has the feel of a very mature garden. The garden surrounds the Arts and Crafts house and has itself something of an Arts and Crafts style. Carefully trimmed shrubs have become sculptures, the pond is now covered in water lilies and some of the lawn has become long grass with paths. It is a hidden haven off a busy road. May should be very colourful with rhododendrons and other flowering shrubs and wall plants, and a good display of tender plants in the old greenhouse. The orchard will be covered in daffodils and there will be tulips in pots and other spring bulbs. Children and buggies are welcome, and older children will enjoy our treehouse.

Well-stocked and beautifully designed, mature, medium-sized town garden comprising herbaceous and shrub beds, lawn, fruit and some vegetables, water features, seating areas, trees and an example of cloud pruning. This is a wildlife-friendly garden that has been transformed from a wilderness 40 years ago and continues to evolve. In 2017 two raised beds were added to the front garden. This hidden treasure of a garden was featured on Beechgrove in June 2015 and on The Instant Gardener in June 2016.

This garden wraps around three sides of an urban bungalow. The front garden, with a mix of rhododendrons, azaleas and acers, leads to a path between a mixed border with seasonal perennials, roses and hydrangeas and raised beds containing vegetables and soft fruits. There is a tiny woodland, a vegetable patch, pond and a fairy garden. The back garden is designed around the washing line, with spring bulbs followed by a white planting of roses, lupins, peonies, anemones and several types of grasses. There is a deck with outdoor seating along with a potting shed, and a summerhouse which sits in the sunniest corner. No space has been wasted in this compact garden.

Roughly two-thirds of an acre suburban garden, developed over 40 years. People have said the following about it: 'A little bit of countryside in the town', 'Booming with green', 'A bosky bower' and 'There is such a wide range of plant material and every little corner holds a new gem'.

A unique reimagining of a city-centre, mid-terrace, walled garden. The garden is only 7 x 14 metres, but contains two ponds, a pergola and is accessed by garden paths through arches. The lawn has been lifted entirely and the space is tightly planted with trees and mainly perennial plants. The effect of the garden is of a city centre woodland/cottage garden, which gives the illusion of being bigger than it is by blurring the sandstone wall boundaries.

Dirleton is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s prettiest conservation villages. Its traditional houses are clustered around the extensive village green, medieval castle dating from the 13th century, and the 400-year-old parish church. Expect the village to be a blaze of colour on the opening weekend, when up to 15 of its gardens will be open to the public for charity. These are scattered throughout the village, each within a short walking distance of the village green, where ample free parking is available. The gardens can all be visited on a single ticket. They are very different in size and style and you will find that their owners love to share their knowledge and answer questions. Compact gardens around the village centre contrast with larger ones on Chapelhill, which provide extensive views south over the surrounding countryside. Your ticket will also admit you to the castle gardens. These contain an impressive formal parterre and a herbaceous border extending to over 200 yards in length, claimed to be one of the longest such borders in the world.

A young garden under development designed by my late wife, Moira Lacey, with stunning views over the rivers Tay and Earn. Her talent as an artist is reflected in the plant choices and design. A haven for wildlife including woodpeckers, red squirrels and birds of prey. The garden includes herbaceous borders, alpines, conifers, a small vegetable garden and a pond full of water lilies.

This small city garden is a lovely sun trap with beautiful planting: mainly herbaceous plants, some shrubs, annuals and small trees. There are also tubs on the patio. It is just full of colour from spring to autumn. There are pebble paths throughout.

The romantic walled garden surrounding Merchiston Cottage is on a third of an acre. It is hidden from the road and very secluded despite its urban setting. We have been open for over two decades for afternoon teas but, by way of a change, we have decided to invite our supporters old and new to visit us for an evening drinks and nibbles event to enable people to experience the garden by day and illuminated at night creating an entirely different perspective of the garden. As before we have chosen to support Blood Bikes Scotland, a voluntary registered charity with no paid employees which has the sole aim of helping to support the NHS.

About half an acre, the garden has been developed from scratch over 17 years. Plants include astilbes, scabious, astrantia, agapanthus, phlox, hydrangeas and primulas with an emphasis on flowers for cutting. A range of trees include a large Douglas fir, cornus, acers, jacquemontii silver birch and fruit trees.

A south-facing Victorian walled garden, lovingly developed from a design started in 1990 to give colour and interest all year. Enjoy densely planted herbaceous borders, pause under the pergola clothed in clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses, continue on to the bottom of the garden where three ponds and wildflower beds reflect a strong focus on wildlife. This is a hidden gem of a garden that has won awards including Ellon Best Garden and with plants rarely seen in north-east Scotland. Parkvilla was featured as Garden of the Week in Garden News in 2024.

A mature garden displaying beds and borders enjoying both shady and sunny conditions. The planting is creative and diverse, demonstrating all the advantages of the unique micro climate created by the Gulf Stream. The garden has an alpine bed, beautiful rhododendrons, a pond and colour provided by many flowering shrubs and herbaceous plants.

A delightful hidden garden in Alva behind the primary school. Divided into ‘rooms’ with themes, two being Mediterranean and Oriental, there is extensive planting and clever use of pots throughout. Recycled materials are much in evidence, especially in the 'cosy' corner with a fireplace. There is a wide variety of shrubs, perennials and annuals as well as vegetables and fruit. There is a pond and a small wildlife area. There is also a 'folly' created during the lockdown of 2020. An inspiration for those trying to garden in a small space. 

A south Edinburgh garden of roughly 1200 square metres surrounded by a stone wall. This family garden features a mix of mature and younger trees, herbaceous beds and borders, a vegetable patch, lawn, a 19th century cast iron vinery, an old monkey puzzle, pond and a patio. Since 2002 the garden has evolved from the traditional and formal to an informal, wildlife-friendly garden with a wide variety of plants, trees and shrubs. The planting aims for year-round colour and variety with fruit, vegetables and different areas for just sitting and enjoying. Still very much a work in progress, the ongoing projects include a small wildflower meadow now entering its fourth year of development.

Large wildlife-friendly garden run on organic principles. Includes mini orchard, pond, mixed borders, greenhouse and a secret garden. There are mini woodland walks and an allotment for vegetables, plus a compost area, worm bin and rotary bin. 

Step inside our family garden — a space made for people, pollinators, and peaceful moments. In just three years, we’ve transformed what was once a concrete patch into a place full of life, colour, and calm. Wander through borders brimming with dahlias, roses, and verbena, or pause under the pergola with a cup of tea and listen to the bees at work. Every corner has been created with family life in mind — places to sit, to chat, to play, and to simply be. You’ll find a wildlife pond alive with frogs and newts, quiet spots for reflection, and pockets of joyful planting that change with the seasons. There is plenty of inspiration for your own family garden. Come, slow down, and discover the simple pleasure of being outdoors together.

Summerfield West is an evolving family garden, blending British formality with Western poetry and Eastern flourishes. Spearheaded by Ted’s visionary passion — inspiring iterative additions and subtractions like a living sketchbook — River’s collaboration brings structured planting, a vibrant herbaceous border, two terraces (one Japanese-inspired with Torii Gate), colourful fragrant beds, and close-mowed lawns. For Ava, whose Eastern roots shape her vision, it weaves fairy tale, poetry, and nature. Phased monument-sized textile goddess sculptures — inspired by Asian textiles and fairy tale narratives — debut on the lower lawn for some art and nature dialogue. Gardener Dan Crow handles thoughtful maintenance and design; apprentice Kolya Norel, the human rotavator, brings much energy to every task. The Hidden Brew Café serves coffee, tea, and cakes for a refreshing touch.

Established in 2003, on the outskirts of Inverness, with views over the town, this large garden of three acres has year-round interest. Spring rhododendrons and azaleas, summer herbaceous plantings, autumn trees and shrubs and winter appeal from the conifers, evergreens and structures. Features include a rockery, ponds, musical instruments, a stumpery and a new area of late summer colour.

We are the most northerly botanic gardens in the UK and host a wide variety of plants, shrubs and trees with year-round interest. There is a large Tropical House and a Cactus House with plants from around the globe. In spring come to see our bulb displays, in summer our herbaceous borders and specimen trees, in autumn for late herbaceous and leaf colour and in winter for evergreens, specimen trees in flower and those with wonderful bark. The GROW Project is also housed within our gardens which is run by a special needs group, it has an allotment, herbaceous borders, wildflower areas, ponds, children's play areas and much, much more! We are a charity and so entry is free with donation boxes to be found inside the cafe.

Well-stocked and beautifully designed, mature, medium-sized town garden comprising herbaceous and shrub beds, lawn, fruit and some vegetables, water features, seating areas, trees and an example of cloud pruning. This is a wildlife-friendly garden that has been transformed from a wilderness 40 years ago and continues to evolve. In 2017 two raised beds were added to the front garden. This hidden treasure of a garden was featured on Beechgrove in June 2015 and on The Instant Gardener in June 2016.

When Anna and James Buxton moved into Redcroft in 1986 they acquired a garden which had always been very well cared for. Since then the range of plants has been widened and it now has the feel of a very mature garden. The garden surrounds the Arts and Crafts house and has itself something of an Arts and Crafts style. Carefully trimmed shrubs have become sculptures, the pond is now covered in water lilies and some of the lawn has become long grass with paths. It is a hidden haven off a busy road. May should be very colourful with rhododendrons and other flowering shrubs and wall plants, and a good display of tender plants in the old greenhouse. The orchard will be covered in daffodils and there will be tulips in pots and other spring bulbs. Children and buggies are welcome, and older children will enjoy our treehouse.

This sunny, contemporary garden contains many mature trees and shrubs, plus lots of recently-planted beds and borders. A shady courtyard contains Japanese acers and spring-flowering bulbs, while colourful perennial planting near the house attracts pollinating insects. A new productive area, with raised beds and a greenhouse, is used to grow fruit and veg, plus dahlias and annual cut flowers. The garden is being developed in a sustainable way, where possible – no herbicides or pesticides are used; rainwater is harvested; and the stone used in the landscaping was found in the garden and re-purposed. The garden has a prolific bird and insect population, despite being in an urban location.

Welcome to Iris Heaven! Our garden is packed full of bearded, siberian and species irises with over 70 cultivars, most of which are historically and internationally important. Look out for pop-up weekends to see around 50 irises in flower at the same time, many of which are the only examples in Scotland. Join us in the shade of our ornamental trees (many from Asia), relax by the ponds and water features, and see temperate plants from around the world.

This garden wraps around three sides of an urban bungalow. The front garden, with a mix of rhododendrons, azaleas and acers, leads to a path between a mixed border with seasonal perennials, roses and hydrangeas and raised beds containing vegetables and soft fruits. There is a tiny woodland, a vegetable patch, pond and a fairy garden. The back garden is designed around the washing line, with spring bulbs followed by a white planting of roses, lupins, peonies, anemones and several types of grasses. There is a deck with outdoor seating along with a potting shed, and a summerhouse which sits in the sunniest corner. No space has been wasted in this compact garden.

This half-acre, clay soil plot carved from the grounds of a 19th century mansion, proves what can be done with hard work and passion. With the help of many large stones salvaged from the ruined mansion next door, owned by Patrick Matthew (1790 -1874), Lynda created a rock garden from scratch using the stone to create structure and form. Patrick’s son from California sent over the first giant redwood seedlings in 1853, one of which stands next to this garden. The garden is jam-packed with an interesting and colourful mix of alpines and herbaceous plants, including a few unusual plants, and is a haven for bees and butterflies.

When Anna and James Buxton moved into Redcroft in 1986 they acquired a garden which had always been very well cared for. Since then the range of plants has been widened and it now has the feel of a very mature garden. The garden surrounds the Arts and Crafts house and has itself something of an Arts and Crafts style. Carefully trimmed shrubs have become sculptures, the pond is now covered in water lilies and some of the lawn has become long grass with paths. It is a hidden haven off a busy road. May should be very colourful with rhododendrons and other flowering shrubs and wall plants, and a good display of tender plants in the old greenhouse. The orchard will be covered in daffodils and there will be tulips in pots and other spring bulbs. Children and buggies are welcome, and older children will enjoy our treehouse.