Clock made of 40,000 flowers marks 200 years since invention of Braille

By Elizabeth Hunter

Pictures show Edinburgh's annual floral clock, with this year's design marking 200 years since the invention of Braille.

The fully functional floral clock is displayed in Princes Street Gardens and was first created in 1903 by John McHattie, who was the city's Parks Superintendent at the time.

A team of three gardeners began the planting process six weeks ago, as they laid down 40,000 flowers in a design that spans nearly 200 square meters.

To plant the flowers, gardeners lay atop long ladders that stretched over the area in order to plant from the center out, without disturbing the rest of the patch.

Each year, the clock is redesigned in honour of an organisation, anniversary, event or individual, with the honourees chosen by Edinburgh City Council.

This year's design was also chosen in honour of the Royal National Institute of Blind People, and features stunning red and yellow blooms around the borders of the clock, which spell out the name of the charity.

Above the clock, a floral plaque reads "Celebrating 200 years of Braille."

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said: “We are honored that RNIB has been chosen for this year's Edinburgh Floral Clock."

The clock will remain in Princes Street Gardens until October, when it will be taken down for winter until it is time to replant it next spring.