Edinburgh Botanic Garden Races to Shield Plants From Falling Glass

After a five-year undertaking, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has installed 5,750 panels of toughened glass designed to safeguard hundreds of plant species from the perils of Scotland’s harsh winters.

While the collection currently appears secure within its glass enclosures under early autumn skies, the garden faces significant hazards as the season turns. Tropical ferns, cycads, and rare alpine heathers are at risk when violent storms and gales strike, potentially sending hundreds of glass fragments crashing onto greenhouse floors.

To ensure safety, strict protocols are now in place: no staff or visitors are permitted inside the structures when wind speeds exceed 30mph. Despite the progress made with the new glazing, officials acknowledge that additional work remains necessary to fully protect the extensive collection from the elements.