Explorers Garden


Partner Garden
Free access for RHS members at selected times

Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Pitlochry
Perth
PH16 5DR

Well-signed in Pitlochry.

6 acres

Tel
01796 484626

Visit website

Opening Hours

10am–4pm, Tue–Sat, 1 May–31 Oct.

Admission

Please see website for admission prices.

RHS members

Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies when open.

Facilities

  • Accessible facilities
  • Accessible garden
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children's activities
  • Dogs welcome
  • Free carer entry
  • Gift shop
  • Group rates
  • Parking
  • Picnic area
  • Plant sales
  • Refreshments
  • Toilets

Features

  • Arboretum
  • Bog garden
  • National Plant Collections
  • Rock garden
  • Sculpture
  • Woodland

About the garden

Owned by
Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Housed in the hills above Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Explorers Garden is divided into glades representing the far reaches of the globe explored by the Scottish plant collectors over the past 250 years. The variety of habitats within the garden reflect the geographic origins of the plants collected and introduced by the Scottish collectors and range from Asia to the Americas.

Drifts of Primula japonica in bright pink and white, two-metre tall Giant Himalayan lilies, and during late spring, over 32 types of Meconopsis come into magnificent bloom.

The tranquil woodland garden remains open and completely functional while it undergoes a three-year restoration and continues to showcase modern sculptures, house productions in its amphitheatre and host events in the unique pavilion made from Douglas fir as a tribute to one of Scotland’s most successful plant hunters, David Douglas.   

Plants of special interest

  • Agapanthus
  • Alliums
  • Alpines
  • Autumn bulbs
  • Camellias
  • Cornus (for winter stems or spring bracts)
  • Cyclamen
  • Hellebores
  • Hostas
  • Irises
  • Maple
  • Meconopsis
  • Primulas
  • Rhododendrons/azaleas
  • Shade-loving plants
  • Spring bulbs
  • Wildflowers

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.