Flower beds created by nine-year-olds

Children from Edinburgh Primary school are working with Clio’s Company to create and maintain new flower beds in Queen’s Road Cemetery. For most, this is a first experience of gardening – there was a lot to learn about preparing and feeding the ground, planting the shrubs and bulbs with care, watering them in and continuing to look after them when needed.

There are now five new beds – one near the main gates of the cemetery, and four round the war memorial behind the chapels. The beds are getting well established, with wonderful displays of roses and lavender in the summer.

Sadly, human and squirrel predators have stolen some plants and bulbs, but plans are underway to replace the losses and expand the planted area.

When the cemetery was new in 1872 there were eleven full-time gardeners to tend it – now there are only occasional visits by contractors. So the local community is stepping up to care for this very special place.

Future plans include raised beds outside the chapels – and many more bulbs.