Home / Environment / Glasshouse Rescue: Rare Plants Safe from Scottish Storms
Glasshouse Rescue: Rare Plants Safe from Scottish Storms
2 Oct
Summary
- Restored palm houses feature 5,750 toughened glass panels.
- £23.5m refurbishment preserves original sandstone and wrought iron shell.
- Many other glasshouses urgently need upgrades due to age and weather damage.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has completed a significant five-year, £23.5m restoration of its palm houses, ensuring the safety of over 600 temperate plants. The project introduced 5,750 toughened glass panels, offering enhanced protection against the severe Scottish winters and wind speeds that previously endangered delicate flora. The refurbishment masterfully retained the original sandstone and wrought iron architecture, creating a vast, cathedral-like space for the plants.
Despite this crucial upgrade, many of RBGE's other glasshouses, some dating back decades past their intended lifespan, are in urgent need of repair. Leaks and high winds have caused significant damage, with horticulturalists recently being unable to access facilities for extended periods due to safety concerns from falling glass and extreme weather. These aging structures pose a continued threat to the garden's invaluable global plant biodiversity and conservation collections, highlighting the ongoing need for infrastructure investment.
