This year (from January 2025), we have received more than 1000 species (including cultivars and hybrids) of seeds and plants from many botanical gardens and individuals.
The seeds were sent to Glasgow through the seed exchange program of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). Many seeds had relatively low germination rates, but succulents grow particularly well.
Sugar Palms
One of the sugar palms in the Palm House was cut down as it reached the top. There is another sugar palm in the Palm House.
Symbolic trees
Sadly, some large symbolic trees, such as a Chinese mahogany, a wild service tree, and a Turkey oak fell or were damaged by storms this year. However, we received replacement trees, including oaks, maples, and a Chinese mahogany, on the 29th of September from Burncoose Nurseries.
A Freeman maple and a two-worlds oak have been planted n the Kirklee Triangle (north of the Rose Garden).
The others are currently kept in the alpine house (image below) but will be planted in relevant places.
Planting in memory of Dr John Corley Richards
We also received five Chinese red birch trees on the 6th of November from R&B Tree Nursery, which were planted in the Arboretum (on the north side of Kirklee Bridge) by the volunteer group. Those birch trees are in memory of the late Dr John Corley Richards, at the University of Glasgow.
The purchase of the trees was financially supported by the Friends of the Botanic Gardens and the Glasgow Tree Lovers’ Society. Those trees are summarised in the table below.
| Tree name | Common name | Accession | Qty | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisteria brachybotrys ‘Shiro-kapitan’ | Wisteria | 001-083-25*A | 1 | 1m |
| Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’ | Freeman maple | 002-083-25*A | 1 | 2m |
| Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ | Japanese maple | 003-083-25*A | 1 | 1m |
| Diospyros kaki (cultivar unknown) | Kaki tree | 004-083-25*A | 1 | 1m |
| Quercus x bimundorum ‘Crimson Spire’ | Two worlds oak | 005-083-25*A | 2 | 1m |
| Quercus rubra ‘Concordia’ | Red oak | 006-083-25*A | 1 | 50cm |
| Quercus rubra ‘Concordia’ | Chinese mahogany | 006-083-25*A | 1 | 1.5m |
| Betula utilis subsp. albosinensis ‘Fascination’ | Chinese red birch | 001-101-25*A-E | 5 | 2m |
Orchids
Furthermore, several Dendrobium species have been added to our National Collection of Dendrobium orchids. Most of them are rare species and new to the collection. Those were also kindly supported by the Friends. Their kind support is sincerely acknowledged here.
