Logan Botanic Garden in South West Scotland

Gulfstream Helps Collection of Exotic Plants in Galloway to Flourish

Aug 31, 2009

Logan Botanic Garden which lies just a few miles from Scotland's most southerly tip contains a remarkable collection of plants from many of the world's warmer countries.

The garden's location 14 miles south of Stranraer at Port Logan on the Mull of Galloway is the key to the successful cultivation of these species. The Gulf Stream flows past the nearby coastline and provides just enough warmth for them to flourish on a year round basis.

Majority of Logan Botanic Garden Plants From Southern Hemisphere

The result has been the creation of beautiful walled and woodland gardens which provide visitors, many of whom travel to the area specifically to visit Logan, with the chance to enjoy a huge variety of horticulture, the majority of which comes from the southern hemisphere.

Nearly half of everything planted at Logan Botanic Garden was collected from the wild in a variety of countries with some of the plants originating from places as diverse as Australia, Tasmania and Chile.

The many visitors who call at Logan can enjoy vividly coloured South African flowers and fragrant rhododendrons as well as antipodean tree ferns, stands of massive gunnera and gum trees.

The garden covers a wide area and includes terraces, ponds, groves and viewing points where visitors can view plant and flower filled vistas.

Unique Insight Into Logan Botanic Garden's History at Discovery Centre

The Discovery Centre gives a unique insight into the history of Logan Botanic Garden which further comes to life during a self guided audio tour. This is available at a cost of £1 from the Botanics Shop at the main entrance to the site. The shop sells a range of plants as well as gifts, books and crafts. It also stocks a comprehensive full colour guide to the garden.

Guided walks take place on the second Tuesday of every month from April to September. These begin at 10.30am and can be enjoyed at no extra charge.

Logan Botanic Garden's licensed salad bar is the place to go for a sustaining cup of tea or coffee, home baking and light meals. Soft drinks, beer and wine are also available in the restaurant which continues serving until half an hour before the gates are closed.

Logan a Regional Garden of The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Logan is a Regional Garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), one of the world's leading plant research centres. The exotic species grown at Logan support vital work in the fields of education, research and conservation. Benmore Botanic Garden in Argyll is also part of RBGE as is Dawyck in the Scottish Borders.

The Garden opens every day at 10.00am between March 1 and October 31. In March and October it closes at 5.00pm but remains open till 6.00pm between April 1 and September 31.

Cult film buffs will recognise Logan Botanic Garden as the backdrop to the 1973 film 'The Wicker Man'.

The copyright of the article Logan Botanic Garden in South West Scotland in Scotland Travel is owned by Neil Greenlees. Permission to republish Logan Botanic Garden in South West Scotland in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.