EXPERTS from the Botanics have branched out into private design work, after agreeing to develop the gardens of three neighbouring properties.
While staff are more used to working on large-scale public gardens in locations such as China and Turkey, their latest challenge is much closer to home.
Under an agreement with developers Life PD Homes, Botanics staff will be designing and land
scaping private gardens at three mews properties on Inverleith Place.
They will also work on the communal gardens for a 19th century mansion house that borders the visitor attraction.
In return, the developers have agreed to carry out building work that will create disabled access and toilets in one of the teaching buildings within the Botanics.
The properties include 37 Inverleith Place, one of the homes of the Salvesen family and until recently used by Edinburgh College of Art as its postgraduate school and printmaking base.
The developers are also working on 4 Inverleith Place Lane, built in 1826, the year that the Botanics moved to its current site.
Garden supervisor Pete Brownless has provided designs for the gardens, and will work with horticulture students to carry out landscaping later in the year. Mr Brownless said he had been happy to help out the developer.
"It was a nice arrangement where everyone benefited, and I was particularly pleased as I really wanted to see a disabled toilet put into this teaching building," he said. "In return I have designed the front gardens of three houses which they are developing, and I've been sure to help them blend into the local area, so it won't cause problems for other residents.
"We are also doing the communal garden, and I think we'll put some interesting plants in there."
The three private properties, which overlook the garden, have been named after former Botanic Garden Regius Keepers Isaac Bayley Balfour, William Wright-Smith and Robert Graham.
The garden's horticultural division will oversee the planting of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants to the front and rear gardens of the main villa and will also design individual inspired private areas for the cottages. Viv Sutherland, director of Life PD Homes, said: "We're delighted to be working with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. It has produced great designs, creating a unique feature for this development.
"The Botanics will use a blend of influences and will provide a peaceful yet stylish environment for everyday use.
"The plants chosen for the gardens are low maintenance and reflect the garden's horticultural expertise."
The landscaping is expected to get under way in the spring.
The full article contains 434 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
