St Andrews Botanic Garden

Last updated: 17 May 2021

Address and contact details
The Canongate, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8RT
Tel: 01334 476452
Fax: 01334 476452
Email: info@standrewsbotanic.org
Web site: www.standrewsbotanic.org
Latitude: 56° 20' 02" N
Longitude: 02° 48' 20" W
Background to the collection
Year founded:1889 at original site;
1960 relocated to new site
Ownership:University of St. Andrews; Part funded by Fife Council; Managed by St Andrews Botanic Garden Trust
Garden code:STA
Umbrella organisation:PlantNetwork, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Botanic Gardens Education Network
Personnel
Director and Curator: James C. Hearsum
Herbarium Curator: Heleen Plaisier
Total Staff:14
Total Horticultural Staff:8
Policies
Accessions:For education, conservation and research.
Collections:Accord with the aims of PlantNetwork. Collections available for research by request.
Physical environment
Altitude:5-20 m
Soil type:Clay
Aspect:North
Total area:7.2 ha
Area heated:2000 m²
Weather recordsNo records kept
Temperature
Absolute maximum:28.3 °C
Absolute minimum:-11.1 °C
Wind
Direction:East and west
Strength:Average
Rainfall
Average annual:725 mm
Plant collection
Families:240
Genera:1,300
Species:5,600
Taxa:6,900
Accessions:9,300
Plants:10,300
Geographical area(s) of specialisation:
China, Western South America
Special families within the collections:
Berberidaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Ericaceae, Rosaceae
Special genera within the collections:
Berberis, Lonicera, Rhododendron, Cotoneaster, Sorbus
Special collections:
Berberis,
Sino-Himalayan,
Scottish plants,
TARGET 8 SPECIES:
TARGET 8 PROJECT TAXON LIST   UK Red Data List 2005SAP lead partnerWELSH Red Data List 2008IRISH Red Data List 1987IRISH Red Data List 2005TARGET 8 PROJECT datasheetGarden(s)
Astragalus danicus
Purple Milk-vetch 		B I EN RE VU T8 Dundee BG
NBG Glasnevin
St.Andrews BG
RBG Logan
Chenopodium bonus-henricus
Good King Henry 		B W VU T8 St.Andrews BG
Corallorhiza trifida
Coralroot Orchid 		B VU T8 St.Andrews BG
Gentianella campestris
Field Gentian 		B W I VU EN prop T8 St.Andrews BG
RBG Edinburgh
RBG Logan
Platanthera bifolia
Lesser Butterfly-orchid 		B W I VU LC T8 St.Andrews BG
RBG Dawyck
Saxifraga hypnoides
Mossy Saxifrage 		B W I VU T8 St.Andrews BG
Record Keeping:Computerised
Record System:IrisBG
Phenological records:Yes
Plant-collecting trips:No
Facilities on site
Herbarium:Yes
Library:Yes
Research facilities:Yes
Publications:No
Identifications:No
Teaching and Education:Yes
Interpretation:In person, interpretative panels, exhibit program, formal and drop in educational activities
Friends Organisation:Yes
800
Visitor facilities:Gift shop, café, plant shop, toilets
Access to the collections
Access conditions:By appointment only
Public access:£5.50 Adults; £5.00 seniors; Free Children and Students
Visitors per year:35,000
Public opening hours:April-September 10am-6pm daily, October-March 10am-4pm daily
Guiding principles behind the collection
Promoting a diversity of plants for eductaion and conservation.
  1. To maintain, display and develop significant collections of named living plants and related objects available to all for reference and study.
  2. To welcome and encourage members of the public of all ages to visit the Garden for enjoyment and education about plants and how to grow them.
  3. To provide learning facilities for botanists, horticulturists and the general public, about plants and the environment
  4. To contribute to botanical networks and research initiatives on plants, their environment, biodiversity and conservation; with particular reference to native flora and the specialist collections of St Andrews Botanic Garden.
Location map

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