Gardens: Winter flourish

Low winter sun catching on grasses; frost sparkling on hedges; red berries against a glossy green backdrop. Sometimes the view of a garden in winter is best seen through the window, while you keep nice and toasty indoors. But on the other hand, what could be better than wrapping up warm and heading out into the crisp, fresh air to explore some of Scotland's best gardens?

We've rounded up ten gardens that are packed with winter interest, including a few with glasshouses where you can defrost and enjoy a more tropical climate, even if it's just for a short while.

Greenbank Garden

Greenbank Garden shines in winter with shrubs such as sarcococca, witch hazel and viburnum in flower. There are also plenty of trees and shrubs with interesting winter bark, such as birches, willows and dogwoods. It's estimated that over the festive period there can be more than 40 different plants in bloom and by early January, the first daffodils and winter aconites are open. The foliage of the bergenia collection is particularly eye-catching now, as many turn a striking shade of beetroot purple.

(Flenders Road, Glasgow, 0844 493 2201, www.nts.org.uk; 9:30am-sunset)

Cambo Victorian Walled Garden and Woodland Garden

Accessed via an informal woodland garden, Cambo's romantic Victorian walled garden of 2.5 acres is designed round the Cambo burn and features a waterfall, wrought-iron bridges, greenhouses and a summer house. Rather than rushing to tidy and remove stems and leaves, the philosophy at Cambo is to embrace the season so that grasses, seedheads, form and foliage colour provide something for visitors to enjoy. In the woodland border, Snake bark maples, Betula nigra and Garrya elliptica provide winter interest. Cambo Estate is famed for its woodland walk, which follows a burn down to the shores of the Forth and is carpeted in snowdrops and aconites. By February these should look spectacular.

(Cambo Estate, Fife, 01333 450054, www.camboestate.com; 10am-5pm)

Pitmedden Garden

The planting at this stunning formal garden was done on an extravagant scale, and over 40,000 plants can be seen during the summer months. At this time of year you can enjoy the formal landscaping – the heart of which is a walled garden that was originally laid out in 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton. In the 1950s, the National Trust for Scotland used designs dating from the 17th century to start recreating the larger garden. Today you'll find six parterres made from more than five miles of box hedging arranged in intricate patterns.

(Ellon, 0844 493 2177, www.nts.org.uk; 10am-5:30pm)

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

When the leaves drop from the trees, new views are exposed at the Botanics. You should be able to spot winter-flowering shrubs and trees such as mahonia, vireya rhododendrons, viburnums and the Chinese and Japanese witch hazels which flower from December to March. Yews and conifers play a dominant role in the landscape, providing a focal point and giving shelter to other plants. The Alpine House and Rock Garden have treats in store including Algerian iris, Turkish crocus, and hoop-petticoat daffodils from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. A winter visit isn't complete without a stroll round the glasshouses to see the tropical orchids.

(20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, 0131-552 7171, www.rbge.org.uk; 10am-4pm)

Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate

Crathes is renowned for its June borders, but there's plenty to see in January too. The ancient yew hedges frame the upper parts of the garden, particularly the fountain and rose gardens, providing year-round greenery, while sculpted topiary looks dazzling when coated with winter frost. Structures such as the doocot, wrought iron gates, fountain sculpture and sundial provide architectural interest, while the walled garden and glasshouses provide shelter from the elements.

(Banchory, 0844 493 2166, www.nts.org.uk; 9am-sunset)

Inverewe Garden

With its dramatic setting on the banks of Loch Ewe, Inverewe offers stunning views, whatever the time of year. Warmed by the North Atlantic Drift, the garden features species from temperate rainforests and it has plants which are found nowhere else in Britain. The large collection of evergreens ensures that in winter there is plenty to see, from the differing shades of trees and shrubs to the selection of berries in reds, whites and oranges.

(Poolewe, 0844 493 2225, www.nts.org.uk; 10am-3pm (may be closed occasionally due to bad weather)

Cluny House Gardens

Officially, this Perthshire garden doesn't open until 20 February but visitors are welcome throughout winter with a small request from the owners that they leave a donation towards red squirrel food. Mornings are the best time to spot the squirrels, and to enjoy the winter light on this magical woodland garden. Highlights include the barks of different species of cherries, acers and birches, and Cluny's champion Wellingtonia (Britain's widest conifer) looks even more impressive after a fall of snow.

(Near Aberfeldy, www.clunyhousegardens.com; 10am- sunset)

Crarae Garden

This 100-acre Himalayan woodland garden shows off a selection of winter-flowering shrubs such as large witch hazels and a range of early rhododendrons, along with the brightly coloured bark of bare deciduous trees. If the weather's really cold, look out for natural ice sculptures in and around the Crarae burn.

(Inverary, 0844 493 2210, www.nts.org.uk; 9:30am-sunset)

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

With formal gardens, arboretum and glasshouses featuring extensive tropical and temperate plant collections from around the world, Glasgow's Botanic Gardens make for an ideal winter garden visit. Look out for the tropical orchid collection, national collection of tree ferns in the Kibble Palace and some impressive trees in the grounds, including a 200-year-old weeping ash, a large black oak and numerous specimen beech trees.

(730 Great Western Road, 0141-276 1614, www.glasgow.gov.uk; 7am-dusk (glasshouses from 10am)

Culzean Castle and Country Park

This romantic 18th-century castle perched on a rocky promontory sits within 600 acres of woodland and formal gardens, and has three miles of coastline. The Victorian walled garden includes the restored vinery and peach house where you can enjoy winter warmth, while other highlights include the wildlife garden, herb garden and camellia house.

(Maybole, 0844 493 2149, www.nts.org.uk; 9:30am-sunset)

At many of the properties, visitor facilities are closed in winter even though the gardens are open. Please phone in advance or visit the websites for full details.

For a host of exciting new plant products,visit www.vanmeu-wen.com/scotsman

• This article first appeared in the Scotsman on Saturday 2 January, 2010