The Royal Botanic Garden Nursery comprises 4.03 hectares of south facing slope to the north of the Botanic Garden.

The Nursery is not open to the public. It is one of the areas of ground which named the local area ‘Goldenacre’, due to the areas favourable growing conditions and good soil. These areas served as market gardens until the arrival of the trams in the 1800s, caused increased housing development in the area. Our nursery survived as a cut flower nursery until the late 1950s before being acquired by the Botanic Garden in the early 1960s.

The primary function is the production of plants grown outside in Edinburgh, the Benmore Botanic Garden, Dawyck Botanic Garden and hardier material for Logan Botanic Garden. But it also has many other functions, see 'What we do'.

The Nursery entrance

Biosecurity

The Nursery operates the highest levels of biosecurity to prevent plant diseases entering and to ensure material leaving the Nursery is disease free. The Nursery is inspected by SASA on a regular basis.

Biosecurity

Caring for the environment

The Nursery uses peat free composts derived from sustainable sources. Integrated pest management based largely on biological control helps to develop a bee friendly environment. High levels of reuse and recycling lead to minimal waste. Solar power mitigates electricity use.