ONE of Scotland’s most celebrated gardens is a blaze of colour as a result of unusually warm February weather.
Rhododendrons at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, are among numerous species to flower a month earlier than last year.
The Garden’s Alpine House has been filled with plants which have come into bloom as temperatures hit 14C – way above the 6C expected for the time of year.
David Knott, curator at the Royal Botanic Garden, said: “I think you can most definitely say spring has sprung.
“We have Rhododendrons which are in full flower.
“People should think about going into their gardens and doing some work.”
The Praecox hedge is now in full blossom with Rhododendrons, he said.
He said: “It’s been in flower for a while. This one’s looking very good.”
Many other small flowers in the Garden’s alpine house had also blossomed, he added.
Last year the hedge did not produce flowers until well into March.
“The milder springs we’re getting could be an indication of climate change,” added Mr Knott.
But he warned “we shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of security” as more cold weather could be on its way.
