Founded in 1670 as a physic garden for medicinal plants, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is one of the oldest in the world. Spanning about 70 acres just a mile from the city centre, it serves both as a leading scientific research institution and as a lush public sanctuary.
While in Edinburgh, my lovely Japanese friend Yuka took me there. I especially enjoyed the Rock Garden — a beautifully contoured slope of alpine plants and cascading streams — and the displays of Scottish native flora, including the delicate Scottish bluebell. To my delight, I also discovered the Chinese Hillside: a tranquil landscape showcasing rare plants from China.