Scotland’s National Horticultural & Gardening Society

Supporting and encouraging gardening in Scotland, sharing knowledge and experience of growing in Scottish conditions.

The Society seeks to promote, encourage and support a wide range of horticultural and gardening interests, including a range of educational projects.  Helping to promote horticulture to the next generation of gardeners and horticulturists in Scotland.

Join us and help Scotland grow

Whats new!

Every year the Caley hosts a range of different talks.  Some of these are held in person in the McHattie room at Saughton others are hosted on Zoom.

The Zoom talks are now in the calendar – so save the dates.

Details of how to book will be posted shortly.

The full list is available here
discovery-apples

Coming up soon….

      • October 4th – Apple day at Saughton with Friends of Saughton Park
      • October 20th – 7:30pm Free talk being on Zoom: Deconstructing a Victorian Border and creating a Climate Resilient Mixed Planting at Floors Garden with Kate McLorey
      • November 9th – Late Chrysanthemum Show; McHattie Room, Saughton Park

Apple Chat

  • Flowers need to be pollinated in order to form fruit.

Many apple trees  need another apple tree nearby to produce a good crop of apples, but some are Self Fertile which makes it less important.

Apple trees are split into pollination groups according to when they flower. So you may need to grow a different cultivar from the same group or adjacent  pollination group. (Some times these are numbered but others use letters)

Some apples are very poor pollinators.  These are Triploid: and need at least two other non-triploid cultivars  nearby.

  • How tall will it grow?

Most apple trees are propagated by grafting onto a rootstock.  Rootstocks help to control the final size of the tree.

Very dwarf      M27           (2 metres)

Dwarf              M9             (2.5 metres)

Semi Dwarf     M26           (3 metres)

Semi–vigorous MM106     (3.5 metres)

Vigorous   MM111 & M25 (4 + metres)

Growing in Scotland is different

Scotland’s weather is changeable, sometimes referred to as four seasons in a day! The temperature is generally lower in Scotland than the rest of the UK, although it is slightly warmer on the West Coast than the East Coast.  Lower light levels, lots of rain and wind all contribute to a wide variation of growing conditions across Scotland.

The Caley needs you.  Help us grow and continue to support horticulture and gardening in Scotland.  Together we can do it.

Why not become a member or make a donation.

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