Inverness Botanic Gardens, Bught Lane, Inverness IV3 5SS
The snow and ice that have covered the country in recent days have put an end to the roses and dahlias that had been clinging on since autumn; meanwhile strong winds have stripped the last of the leaves from the trees. At this time of the year, nature retreats and only a few very hardy plants continue to flourish.
Yet within the tropical house at Inverness Botanic Garden, every day is high summer. This glasshouse is known as “the hottest spot in the Highlands” and on a cold day it is filled with jungle-like foliage from Mexico, the Bahamas and Brazil, offering a steamy touch of the exotic when outside temperatures are hovering around freezing.
Inverness is home to the most northerly botanic gardens in the UK and for 30 years now its greenhouses have been serving up a slice of plant life from the warmest parts of the world, something that’s particularly welcome during the colder months.
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Inside, visitors can be dazzled by the brilliant colours of the vigorous climber, bougainvillea, and marvel at bird of paradise flowers with their distinctive orange and blue petals. There are orchids in a rainbow of hues, while a cascade of water falls into a pond filled with equally colourful carp.
Many of the species such as coffee, bananas, ginger and pineapples that grow in the tropical house are of economic importance and to keep them happy they are deluged with four times the average rainfall of Inverness. This produces a steamy atmosphere where plants with luxuriant foliage can live happily.
By contrast, the adjacent cactus house is filled with cacti and succulents from hot, arid climates. The atmosphere is very different and the plants are set amongst 75 tonnes of rock that have been landscaped to provide a naturalistic setting. Cacti are often considered to be low maintenance, thriving on neglect, but in fact they need expert care and attention, and here they are nurtured by both members of the local cactus society as well as by garden staff.
The result is a fascinating display of the many forms and sizes that have evolved amongst drought-adapted species from those parts of the world where the climate is so extreme that only highly specialised plants can survive.
Outdoors, there are trees and flower beds where there are changing displays depending on the seasons, and there is also a cafe that’s popular with local residents and visitors.
Inverness Botanics runs a Grow programme, offering gardening opportunities for people with learning disabilities; volunteers also help with the upkeep of the gardens throughout the year.
Inverness Botanic Gardens are open daily, 9.30am - 3.45pm.
Entrance is by donation. Tel: 01463 715353
highlifehighland.com/inverness-botanic-gardens/
In association with Discover Scottish Gardens www.discoverscottishgardens.org
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