The Princes Street Gardens Floral Clock—one of Edinburgh’s most cherished horticultural landmarks—has officially opened for the summer season, unveiling a vibrant new design created in celebration of Trellis’ 20th anniversary.
The Princes Street Gardens Floral Clock—one of Edinburgh’s most cherished horticultural landmarks—has officially opened for the summer season, unveiling a vibrant new design created in celebration of Trellis’ 20th anniversary. The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, marked the completion of the 2026 display in West Princes Street Gardens on Thursday afternoon.
This year’s clock pays tribute to the thousands of people across Scotland who have found connection, confidence and wellbeing through therapeutic gardening. Designed and planted by the City of Edinburgh Council’s skilled gardening team, the display features more than 35,000 individual plants arranged with extraordinary precision, which took a team of three gardeners six weeks to create.
Speaking at the opening, Trellis Chair, Andrew Cubie, highlighted how therapeutic gardening continues to support mental and physical wellbeing, reduce isolation, and bring people together through shared green spaces.
The Floral Clock has been planted annually since 1903 and remains a world‑first in horticultural engineering. Its hands still keep perfect time, powered by an electric mechanism installed in the 1970s, while the surrounding display is meticulously tended throughout the summer.
This year’s opening marks a special moment for Trellis: a celebration of two decades of supporting practitioners, clients and projects that help people flourish through gardening. The charity’s partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council shines a spotlight on the growing recognition of therapeutic horticulture across Scotland.
The Floral Clock will be in bloom from July to late September, offering visitors a chance to enjoy this living landmark and learn more about the power of gardening for wellbeing.
The Floral Clock 2026: Edinburgh
We are delighted to have been chosen as the organisation to be celebrated in the City of Edinburgh Council Floral Clock Display this year. As we reach our 20th anniversary, it is a fitting tribute to Trellis and our vital work to make excellent therapeutic horticulture and its benefits, accessible to all. The floral clock, which is a stunning piece of horticultural and engineering work, goes on display from June to October (weather permitting) in Princes Street Gardens in the centre of Edinburgh.