At the top of the UK, Scotland has a cooler climate than its more southerly counterparts which affects gardens greatly. From the Scottish Borders to the tip of the country and the northerly islands there is also a massive variation in temperature which again affects what can be grown.
There are four different basic soil types that can be found in gardens in Scotland. These are Podzols, Brown Earth, Gleys and Organic Peat soils. The soil type will influence what can survive and thrive in any given area of the country.
Common garden pests in Scotland include aphids (winged or non-winged), which feed by sucking sap from plants and reproduce rapidly. They can quickly cause extensive damage to plants, as they’re even able to produce live young without mating!
The most well-known Scottish plant is, of course, the Scotch Thistle with its distinctive shape and purple colour. Other plants native or common to Scotland include Bog Myrtle, Gorse, Heather, Scottish Bluebells and Scottish Flame Flowers.
Scotland has a number of famous gardens that can be visited all year round. This includes Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens, Drummond Castle Gardens, Attadale Gardens in Wester Ross and many, many more.
