national botanic gardens

Founded in 1795, the National Botanic Gardens are noted for their fine plant collections, holding over 17,000 plant species and varieties from around the world.  Famous for their beautiful landscaped gardens and exquisitely restored and planted glasshouses, notably the Turner Curvilinear Range and the Great Palm House, both recipients of the Europa Nostra award for excellence in conservation architecture.  Visitors can enjoy such features as the herbaceous borders, rose garden, woodland garden, the ponds, rock garden, arboretum and an organic fruit and vegetable garden  that opened in 2008).