Described as the "finest two acres of private gardens in the country" Branklyn Gardens are located on the way out of the city of Perth, on the road towards Dundee. The garden was started in 1922 on the site of a former orchard and was taken over by the National Trust for Scotland in 1967. It has a marvellous collection of plants and is particularly colourful in the spring time when the rhododendrons and many alpine plants are in bloom. Botanists come from all over the world to see it.
The gardens are open from 9.30am until sunset (which in the summer time can be well into the evening). While you are in the area, take time out for a walk in the nearby Kinnoull Hill (see illustration below) - there are magnificent views down the Firth of Tay and across to the soaring Friarton Bridge which crosses the river, avoiding the city of Perth (not that you would want to!). Along the northern banks of the Tay, nearer the city centre, don't miss the Norrie-Miller Park and the Bellwood Riverside Park, both of which are full of modern (and sometimes amusing) sculptures as well as flowers. And if you are keen on gardens and flowers, the Dundee University Botanic Gardens, 15 miles further down the River Tay, is also well worth a visit. On the way, you can call in at the Japanese Garden at the Glendoick Garden Centre (there is an excellent tearoom there too!).
There is a collection of eight further photographs of the flowers in Branklyn Gardens elsewhere on Rampant Scotland in this Flipbook.
