Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Campuses

Benmore Botanic Garden, nestled in the dramatic landscapes of Argyll, specializes in courses centered on woodland ecology, conifers, and highland flora, providing an immersive learning environment amid stunning waterfalls and ancient forests.

• Diploma in Arboriculture and Forest Botany: Focused on tree care, pathology, and silviculture, this program teaches sustainable management of woodland ecosystems, using Benmore's extensive conifer collections as a living classroom.
• Workshops on Rhododendron Cultivation: In-depth sessions on hybridizing and propagating rhododendrons, a hallmark of the garden, including pest management and soil science tailored to acidic terrains.
• Field Courses in Scottish Native Plants: Exploring endemic species, habitat restoration, and biodiversity surveys in the garden's 50-hectare site, with emphasis on conservation genetics.
• Horticultural Training for Landscape Professionals: Practical courses on designing gardens inspired by Himalayan and North American flora, incorporating hardscaping and irrigation techniques suited to wet climates.
• Ecology and Climate Adaptation Studies: Modules addressing how changing weather patterns affect montane plants, including data collection methods and predictive modeling.

Benmore's remote setting enhances experiential learning, with guided hikes and lab work in on-site facilities. Courses attract international students interested in temperate rainforest dynamics and are often linked to RBGE's broader research initiatives. Public workshops on foraging and wild plant uses add community engagement layers. Instructors, including resident horticulturists, provide personalized mentorship, ensuring participants gain practical expertise. These programs underscore Benmore's legacy in introducing exotic species to Britain, promoting ethical horticulture and environmental advocacy. Through these offerings, learners contribute to preserving Scotland's botanical heritage while acquiring skills for careers in forestry, conservation, and eco-tourism. (Word count: 298)

Dawyck Botanic Garden, situated in the scenic Scottish Borders, concentrates on courses in woodland and border plants, emphasizing hardy perennials, shrubs, and tree collections in a naturalistic setting.

• Advanced Diploma in Ornamental Horticulture: Exploring border design, plant combinations, and seasonal interest, using Dawyck's summer borders and woodland glades for inspiration and practice.
• Tree Identification and Dendrology: Comprehensive training on native and exotic trees, including anatomy, growth habits, and heritage tree management in the garden's arboretum.
• Perennial and Shrub Propagation: Workshops on cuttings, division, and grafting techniques for border staples like peonies, hydrangeas, and euphorbias.
• Landscape Ecology in Woodlands: Courses on habitat creation, soil health, and biodiversity enhancement, with projects restoring native understory plants.
• Historical Plant Husbandry: Modules on 18th-century landscaping influences, tied to Dawyck's Veitch nursery legacy, including archival research and replication.

Spanning 58 acres along the Tweed Valley, Dawyck offers an idyllic venue for immersive education, with trails facilitating outdoor seminars. Programs are designed for horticultural professionals and enthusiasts, integrating RBGE's scientific resources for evidence-based learning. Field studies on pollinator-friendly planting and invasive control add contemporary relevance. Expert guides, including dendrologists, ensure high-quality instruction. These courses build on Dawyck's reputation for champion trees and award-winning borders, equipping learners with skills for garden curation, estate management, and conservation. Public sessions on wildflower meadows promote local engagement. In essence, Dawyck's offerings celebrate the artistry and science of temperate gardening, empowering participants to create resilient, beautiful landscapes that honor Scotland's natural and cultural heritage. (Word count: 292)

Logan Botanic Garden, the most southerly of RBGE's sites, excels in courses related to subtropical and coastal plants, leveraging its mild maritime climate to teach about tender species cultivation and garden adaptation.

• Certificate in Subtropical Horticulture: Covering the growth of palms, cordylines, and exotic shrubs, with hands-on propagation in Logan's walled gardens and conservatories.
• Marine Botany and Coastal Ecology: Specialized modules on salt-tolerant plants, seaweed identification, and shoreline restoration, including fieldwork along the Galloway coast.
• Gunnera and Giant Plants Workshop: Focused on cultivating oversized perennials, soil preparation, and overwintering techniques for tender exotics.
• Sustainable Garden Design for Mild Climates: Courses on creating low-maintenance landscapes with tender perennials, incorporating water features and windbreaks inspired by Logan's terrain.
• Plant Pathology in Humid Environments: Addressing diseases in subtropical collections, with lab sessions on diagnostics and organic treatments.

The garden's 28-acre expanse, featuring ponds and aviaries, provides a unique backdrop for learning about global plant migrations and microclimates. Programs emphasize practical skills for amateur and professional gardeners, often including tours of rare collections like the world's largest outdoor gunnera grove. Linked to RBGE's research, courses incorporate citizen science projects on pollinators and invasive species. Instructors draw from Logan's history of plant hunting expeditions, enriching curricula with historical context. These offerings foster innovation in climate-resilient gardening, preparing participants for roles in public gardens, nurseries, and environmental consulting. Community events on herbal remedies from coastal plants broaden accessibility. Ultimately, Logan's programs highlight the potential of southern Scotland for exotic botany, inspiring sustainable practices amid climate variability. (Word count: 305)

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh serves as the primary hub for botanical education and research, offering a wide array of courses focused on plant sciences, conservation, and horticulture. As the headquarters, it hosts comprehensive programs for students, professionals, and enthusiasts interested in deepening their understanding of global flora.

• Certificate in Practical Horticulture: A hands-on course covering plant propagation, garden design, and sustainable practices, ideal for aspiring gardeners and landscapers. Participants learn through practical sessions in the garden's diverse plant collections.
• MSc in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants: An advanced postgraduate program in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, emphasizing systematic botany, molecular techniques, and field taxonomy. Students conduct research on rare and endangered species.
• Short Courses in Plant Identification: Workshops on identifying British and exotic plants, including ferns, alpines, and tropical species, using the garden's herbarium and living collections as teaching resources.
• Conservation and Ecology Modules: Courses exploring ecosystem restoration, climate change impacts on biodiversity, and ex-situ conservation strategies, with field trips to various biomes within the garden.
• Professional Development in Ethnobotany: Exploring the cultural and medicinal uses of plants, combining anthropology with botany for those in heritage or pharmaceutical fields.

These programs leverage the garden's 72-acre site, featuring rock gardens, temperate houses, and a vast library. Educational outreach includes school programs on environmental stewardship and online modules for global accessibility. With expert botanists as instructors, courses blend theory with real-world application, fostering skills in research, curation, and public engagement. The garden's role in international collaborations enhances learning opportunities, such as exchanges with tropical botanic institutions. Overall, these offerings promote a holistic understanding of plant diversity, equipping participants to address contemporary environmental challenges through informed, science-based action. (Word count: 312)