A visit to Aberdeen found a lot going on in their city. A model for Edinburgh to follow?
Aberdeen is famous for its floral displays and colourful city-centre planting.
The work is led by Aberdeen City Council, supported by Aberdeen Inspired (the Business Improvement District) and many local sponsors.
🌼 Who Does What
Aberdeen City Council installs and maintains:
- Hanging baskets
- Window boxes
- Large planters
These displays appear across the city centre in spring, summer and winter seasons.
Aberdeen Inspired co-funds floral displays within the city’s BID area and helps to deliver extra planting and greening projects.
🌿 City Centre Greening & Pollinator Planting
The council’s “City Centre Greening, Growing and Buzzing” project adds:
- Year-round hanging baskets
- New planting areas with seating
- Pollinator-friendly plants and green bus shelters
Natural areas are also being created across the city where grass is left longer and wildflowers encouraged — helping bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
🌷 What’s Planted and Where
Typical displays include:
- Lamp-column baskets and railing planters
- Window boxes for shop fronts
- Freestanding tubs and troughs in open spaces
Planting mixes include bright seasonal flowers, hardy perennials and pollinator species such as ox-eye daisy, knapweed and scabious.
💷 Costs and Sponsorship
Guide prices (2025/26):
- Window boxes – £79
- Hanging baskets – £79
- Planters – small £20, medium £38.80, large £58.20
Sponsored planters (example rates):
- Small – £850
- Large – £1,300
Sponsorship normally includes:
- Supply, planting and installation
- Regular watering and maintenance
- A business name or logo on the container or a nearby plaque
(Prices from Aberdeen City Council schedule of charges and previous sponsorship tariffs.)
🧑🌾 Maintenance and Seasons
Aberdeen City Council installs and maintains all sponsored planters and baskets throughout the season.
There are spring, summer and winter rotations so that the city centre stays bright year-round.
The City Centre Greening project funds additional year-round baskets and floral enhancement.
🏙️ Budget and Partnerships
In 2025 the Council approved around £60,000 for the City Centre Greening, Growing and Buzzing project.
This includes new planting areas, seating, and long-term maintenance — managed jointly with Aberdeen Inspired.
🤝 How Businesses and Groups Can Get Involved
- Visit the Aberdeen City Council Sponsored Floral Displays page.
- Choose between hanging baskets, window boxes or planters.
- The Council will advise on placement, design and costs for your location.
- Businesses in the BID area can also contact Aberdeen Inspired for partnership opportunities.
- Community groups and schools can join workshops on planting, pollinator gardens and hanging baskets.
🌺 Why It Matters
- Makes the city centre more attractive to residents, shoppers and visitors.
- Supports biodiversity and pollinators.
- Encourages community pride and volunteering.
- Links greening with urban regeneration and cleaner air.
🌻 Inspiration for Other Areas
Aberdeen’s model works well for community groups across Scotland:
- Combine sponsorship with volunteer planting.
- Include pollinator-friendly species.
- Offer recognition plaques for local supporters.
- Run workshops to share skills.
