Kibble Palace, Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens: A Masterpiece
Glasgow Botanic Gardens opened in 1817. Thomas Hopkirk, a Glaswegian botanist, together with a group of local dignitaries, and the University of Glasgow founded the Botanic Institution of Glasgow, which managed the gardens. The gardens were originally located on an 3-hectare site (8 acres) in the Sandyford neighbourhood, which at the time, was at the western edge of the city.
Stewart Murray, the gardens’ first curator, designed the grounds and Hopkirk donated 3,000 plants to be the centerpiece of the gardens’ collections. With the appointment of William Jackson Hooker as Professor of Botany at the University of Glasgow in 1821, the gardens flourished. Hooker was one of the pre-eminent botanists of the time and for the next 20 years he greatly influenced the evolution of the gardens. In fact, by 1825 the gardens’ collections grew to more than 12,000.
To house the growing plant collections, a new site was needed. The Botanic Institution of Glasgow purchased the current 10-hectare site (25 acres) in the Kelvinside neighbourhood in 1839. Over the next several years, the new site was readied. Shortly before the new gardens opened to the public in 1842, Hooker was appointed Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Murray continued his work on the new gardens.
What to Expect
My first visit to the Glasgow Botanic Gardens was on a beautiful early autumn day in September. I had a few hours to kill while I waited to meet some friends who were ending a trip to Scotland and agreed to meet me in Glasgow before they returned to America. After grabbing a coffee at a nearby coffee-house, I began walking around the garden soaking up the sun and the gorgeous sights.
One of the main attractions of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens is Kibble Palace. It was originally the conservatory of wealthy entrepreneur, John Kibble. The gardens purchased the conservatory from Kibble, moved it to its current location and expanded the impressive building. It opened to the public in 1873.
Kibble Palace, Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
Another of the gardens’ notable structures is the Main Range glasshouse, which was originally made of Burmese teak. The structure was erected in 1878 and houses an impressive collection of tropical plants such as begonias, orchids, and palms.
The Main Range glasshouse, Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
I highly recommend a wander around the Main Range to explore the stunning collections.
Zingiber spectabile (beehive ginger).
Begonia dichroa.
Interior of the Main Range glasshouse.
The lush green tropical plants of the Main Range glasshouse.
The Main Range glasshouse’s abundant fern collection.
Codiaeum variegatum ‘Eugene Drapes’ (variegated croton).
Begonia “Tiger Paws”.
Musa spp. (banana).
The grounds of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens have expansive lawns, colorful flower beds and borders, a kitchen garden, and spectacular specimen shrubs and trees.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
Autumn colour at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
Acer japonica (Japanese maple).
Mahonia japonica (Japanese mahonia).
Beta vulgaris (chard) in the Glasgow Botanical Gardens’ kitchen garden.
Brassica (ornamental cabbage).
Dahlia.
At the northern edge of the gardens is the River Kelvin. Visitors are able to reach the river by descending a gentle, but pronounced hill deep into the forest. Don’t be put off by the descent or the distance. The scenery that awaits you is nothing short of stunning.
The River Kelvin creates a dramatic northern border of the gardens.
The River Kelvin bridge.
As an American I was moved to see a memorial plaque to those who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks on America.
Tribute to the lives lost on September 11 attacks on America.
PLAN A VISIT
The Glasgow Botanic Gardens
730, Great Western Road
Glasgow G12 0UE
Telephone: +44 (0)141 276 1614
The Glasgow Botanic Gardens Opening Hours:
The garden is open every day from 7:00 a.m. to dusk. Consult the Glasgow Botanic Gardens website for additional information.
Tickets:
Entry to the gardens is free.
Getting There:
The Glasgow Botanic Gardens is located in the Kelvinside neighborhood northwest of the Glasgow city centre. The main entrance is at Great Western Road and Queen Margaret Drive; the nearest subway station is Hillhead. Google Maps
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