RGB Edinburgh Rock Garden

Built in the 1860's, the RBG Edinburgh Rock Garden was created to maintain its ever growing collection of alpine plants, and has remained one of the world's best. The idea of a rock garden was a new concept in gardening, and much praise was lauded on the RBGE upon its creation.

The garden has gone through several redesigns, and has perpetually grown as more introductions have been made by famous plant collecters like the Scotsman George Forrest, who returned from China with many new species including Meconopsis, dwarf Rhododendrons, and rare Primulas.

Water has always been a feature in the RBGE's Rock Garden, with ponds and streams running throughout. The gardened habitats have been restricted to the edges of the water, which are planted with marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), large Parrotia persica (from northern Iran), and much more.

The rock garden also provides the highest point in the garden which yields unparalleled views of the Edinburgh skyline. The combination of the cityscape with the backdrop running water surrounded by of 5000 plants from the worlds mountainous, arctic, and rocky Mediterranean climates creates quite an inspiring moment for any garden visitor.