Branklyn Garden is just under two acres of extraordinary planting on a south-facing slope above the Tay. Created by John and Dorothy Renton between 1922 and 1966, it became one of Scotland's most celebrated private gardens before passing to the National Trust. The collection of alpines, rhododendrons, meconopsis (Himalayan blue poppies), and peat-loving plants is internationally significant.
Spring (April to early June) is when Branklyn is at its most spectacular, with the rhododendrons and blue poppies in full bloom against the backdrop of the Tay and the hills beyond. The garden is small enough to cover in an hour, but the density of what's planted rewards a slow pace. It's open from around March to October; check National Trust for Scotland opening times as these vary.