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The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was founded in the 17th century as a ?Physic Garden?, growing medicinal plants. This first Garden was in St Anne?s Yard, part of the Holyrood Palace grounds, and occupied an area the size of a tennis court. It now extends to four sites ? Edinburgh, Benmore (near Dunoon in Argyll), Logan (near Stranraer in Galloway), and Dawyck (near Peebles in the Borders), and is the second richest collection of plant species in the world. Since the 19th century it has received public funding, and it is now sponsored by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD). It has a remit and mission whose origins are in the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985. The Garden is first and foremost a scientific institution, dedicated to discovering and describing plants and their relationships, evolution, conservation and biology. This research is underpinned by the Garden?s internationally important collections of living and preserved plants, a large specialist library, and by modern well-equipped laboratories. The four Gardens are also major tourist attractions within Scotland, providing inspiration and relaxation to visitors from all over the world. At Edinburgh, the grounds feature a world-famous rock garden, peat and woodland gardens, colourful herbaceous borders, large and well-stocked plant houses, and several specialist collections, including Chinese plants, and rhododendrons. Benmore, with its milder oceanic climate, grows trees and shrubs from high rainfall areas, especially conifers and rhododendrons. Logan, Scotland?s most exotic garden, has an almost sub-tropical climate, and provides ideal growing conditions for Southern Hemisphere plants and others. Dawyck is particularly suitable for hardy plants from the world?s cooler, drier areas.
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