Newsletter
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Magnificent Magnolia
The gardens are full of wonderful Magnolia blossoms just now. Magnolias are named in honour of the French botanist Pierre Magnol, professor of botany at Montpellier University in the late 17th century. He was the first person to suggest that plants with similar characters could be grouped together into families. Magnolias are native to China…
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Chair’s report
The festive season is receding in our memories as we hopefully notice an increase in the length of day and also the improved brightness, at least on some days. The welcome sight of faithful snowdrops, aconites and hellebores is uplifting. The witch hazel to the right of the path leading to the Botanics Tearooms has…
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2025 Curator update
Glasgow Botanic Gardens Curator Dr Hiro Shimao gives an update on the collection from 2025 including sugar palms, trees, memorial trees and orchids. 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.
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Chair’s report
Andrew Sinclair, manager of the Gardens, and the Friends were contacted some months ago by Professor Willsdon from School of Culture & Creative Arts at Glasgow University about the possibility of remembering a colleague Dr John Richards who had sadly passed away. John knew the Gardens well and lived close to the Arboretum which was…
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The Arboretum
‘Walking to be offered on prescription’ says the government. What better place to do it than the Arboretum? This area of the Botanics started to take shape in the 1970s, one hundred and thirty years after the inauguration of the Royal Botanic Gardens in the west end. Now where would we be without it? To…
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Chair’s report
As we approach the end of a spectacular summer my thoughts as Chair turn to our AGM. As previously intimated this is on Thursday 15th September at 6.30 pm in the south wing of Kibble Palace. Light refreshments will be served after the meeting. We are looking for a new treasurer and several committee members.…
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From Horse-Drawn Trams to Teslas: The Story of Glasgow’s Number One Tree
The Argyle Street Ash is nominated for the Woodland Trust’s UK Tree of the Year 2025, and David encouraged the audience to vote, share the story, and help protect this unique living landmark before voting closes on 19th September.
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Visit to Urban Roots
After a group from Urban Roots were given a tour of the Botanics by Anna and Liza, we were delighted to be invited to a return visit to see their gardens in Toryglen. On a nice sunny day a group of seven of us took part. We were shown around by Evie who manages the…
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Our new Peace Garden
In a moving ceremony, the new garden dedicated to peace was officially opened on August 6, the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima by the USA. Lord Mayor Jacqueline McLaren, the Consul General of Japan, Masataka Tarahara, Glasgow CND Chairperson Jean Anderson officiated and there was rousing singing by Protest in Harmony and, later…