Aberdeen Duthie Park Winter Gardens

[Paul D]

Yesterday I visited what is now called the David Welch Winter Gardens, formerly the Duthie Park Winter Gardens, in Aberdeen. It is a few years since I last visited, and although I enjoyed the visit it is a bit depleted from what it used to be. Several large mature specimens of cacti that had been the subject of graffiti carved into them have been removed, leaving some noticeable gaps, and it is obvious that some smaller plants have also gone, presumably died. It is very sad as this was one of the best and most important collections of C&S in the country. There is still a very good collection of Aloes, but the National Collection of Gasteria is not looking as well as it did. I guess as staff change, people with different interests come on board. The flowers / borders part of the glasshouses is looking good.
Unfortunately mealy bug was in evidence in a few places.

[Paul D]

Some other parts. Insectivorous plants garden, potted flowers corridor, tropical / bromeliads area.

[el48tel]

Thanks for sharing

[juster]

Very interesting, some nice plants still to see. I seem to recall that Aberdeen Council used to put on a cactus and succulent display at the Chelsea Flower Show, it was always very impressive.

[MatDz]

I guess as staff change, people with different interests come on board.

One would think that maintaining the garden's collection is more a matter of professionalism and skills, and not necessarily personal interests of staff or management...

It still does look better than many collections around, and I wasn't aware they have the NC of Gasteria - I see a couple on your photographs, hopefully there are a few more left.

[Paul D]

I guess as staff change, people with different interests come on board.

One would think that maintaining the garden's collection is more a matter of professionalism and skills, and not necessarily personal interests of staff or management...

It still does look better than many collections around, and I wasn't aware they have the NC of Gasteria - I see a couple on your photographs, hopefully there are a few more left.

Personal interests do come into it, because it is a question of allocating limited resources. For example, cacti that were removed have not been replaced; but tropical rainforest plants have been. Unfortunately the main curator of the collection retired a couple of years ago. He was a keen cactophile. The new administration, as far as I can gather, are more focussed on colour and showy displays of pot plants. Also, the budget has been slashed by the council and there are not enough staff.
I'm sorry to say that my own collection of Gasteria is better than theirs

[RayW]

Paul it is very interesting what you say about Duthie Gardens and personal choices and attitude, we at Wythenshawe Park are on the up curve at the moment because John Leaning the new head horticulturalist there has a positive attitude to Cacti and Succulents which makes life for us volunteers much easier.