Milngavie residents may think they are in Milano this week, as they admire the 'hot'_ Italian planting in the newly developed Antonine Gardens. The gardens, located beside the Burnbrae Roundabout, were made famous in the 1980s when they were chosen as the Bearsden and Milngavie District Council submission for the Glasgow Garden Festival. Since then however, the area fell into disrepair and looked neglected. Following the work the Antonine Gardens now have three distinct influences . There's an Italian garden representing the influence of the Romans upon Scotland, a Scottish country garden and a wild Highland area with bog garden, Scot's Pines and Highland wildflowers. All the gardens are integrated into a ruined Roman Bathhouse. East Dunbartonshire Council's Streetscene Technical Support Team has now teamed up with volunteers from Milngavie in Bloom to create a beautiful and interesting area for locals and visitors alike to enjoy once again. East Dunbartonshire Council prepared the ground for the start of the work and supplied a range of 'hot' coloured plants which the volunteers then planted up and tended as they grew. The display is now in full bloom and will continue to be cared for by the Milngavie in Bloom volunteers. Councillor Ashay Ghai, depute leader of the Council and convenor of Neighbourhood Services, said: "I remember how lovely these gardens were back in 1988, so it's lovely to see it returned to its former glory. This is partnership working at its very best and I wish to thank the volunteers from Milngavie in Bloom for this amazing transformation. "It'ss great to know too that they have agreed to 'adopt' the area going forwards and I look forward to us supporting them in any way we can to do this. All we need now is some sunshine to enjoy these lovely plants at their best!̨ Heather Lynsay from Milngavie in Bloom said: "We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the Council on this garden. We have tried to improve it and maintain it over the last three years but needed the help of Council officers and workers to really get it started again as a garden. There is still more work to do to reinstate the beds but we will continue with that work over the next year. We are also delighted that Kirkintilloch Men's Shed have agreed to remake an 'Antoninus Pius' fence for us which was a real feature of the original garden.̨ Follow us on Twitter @EDCouncil or like us on Facebook facebook.com/edunbartonshirecouncil Date: Thursday 6 August 2015