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Displays Decoded by Alex Hirtzel
This year sees the return of art in the Garden with Alex Hirtzel's 'Displays Decoded', an interactive exhibition enabling visitors to see the natural world as they've never seen it before. Alex has collaborated with University behavioural ecologist Dr Dave Lawson and his colleagues in the School of Biological Sciences to examine previously undiscovered ways in which pollinators are attracted to and interact with plants, collectively known as ‘sensory modalities.’ Through interactive sculptures, ultra-violet prints and heat sensitive materials, Alex’s…
Find out more »Art and augmented reality
Discover how science, art and augmented reality can work together at our interactive workshop presented by artist Alex Hirtzel and creative director Chris Price. Gain insight into Alex’s practice and inspiration, Chris’ work at Curio-Zubr - an augmented and virtual reality studio catering to the arts, heritage and culture sector - and about how they came to work together. Learn more about how AR works as an exciting medium for artists and how it can enhance visual storytelling for education…
Find out more »Growing solutions to social and global problems.
Volunteers in the Botanic Garden From climate change to mental health and wellbeing, could the answer to some of the major issues facing people and the planet be addressed through horticulture? As part of FUTURES2021 Join Nigel Dunnett, internationally renowned plantsman, landscape designer and Professor of Planting Design and Urban Horticulture in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield for a fascinating lecture on this subject. Nigel will be joined by Professor Jane…
Find out more »Drawn to Nature with Sheena Vallely and Pupgroup
This is a drawing course all about exploring and enjoying the process of drawing. Drawing in nature and from it, can allow you to see how plants relate to one another in their natural habitat and with guidance from your tutor, you will be encouraged to learn how to draw from scratch in direct response to a whole range of plants. The botanic garden in autumn abounds with form and colour and scent and it will be your drawing studio…
Find out more »Gardens of the Mediterranean – Mike Nelhams – Lecture
Mike Nelhams, AHRHS, FI Hort, Curator, Tresco Abbey Garden, studied for three years at the RHS Garden, Wisley and first went to Tresco on a Studley Trust Scholarship as a student in 1976. After managing a woodland garden in Sussex for five years he returned to Tresco Abbey Garden in 1984 as Head Gardener and then in 1994 took the post which was established for him of Garden Curator. He is an RHS judge on the Tender Plants Committee and…
Find out more »Introduction to Ferns and some Associated Organisms
This is a one-day course to introduce and develop understanding of ferns and to develop skills in their identification. It is aimed at beginners. The number of species in this group and the apparent similarity between many of them can make them daunting. The terminology itself can seem impenetrable. However, this course is intended to show that, with a little help, these obstacles can be overcome, opening the door to a fascinating group of organisms able to tell us much…
Find out more »Designing with plants – Fergus Garrett – Lecture
Fergus is Head Gardener at Great Dixter House and Gardens. Born in Brighton to an English father and Turkish mother, Fergus spent his formative years in Istanbul, Turkey. On returning to the UK, after school in Brighton he studied horticulture at Wye College, University of London. He has a deep connection with Great Dixter as a result of his relationship with Christopher Lloyd who he joined as his head gardener in 1993 and very much enjoys the interplay between the…
Find out more »Introduction to Bryophytes
This is a one-day course to introduce and develop understanding of bryophytes and to develop skills in their identification. It is aimed at beginners. The number of species in this group and the apparent similarity between many of them can make them daunting for a novice. The terminology itself can seem impenetrable. However, this course is intended to show that, with a little help, these obstacles can be overcome, opening the door to a fascinating group of organisms able to…
Find out more »How DNA changed plant taxonomy – Dr Kálmán Könyves – Lecture
This lecture was originally planned for March 2020 but was one of the first events to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and we are therefore delighted that Dr Könyvesis now able to give us this lecture. KálmánKönyves is a botanist and horticulural taxonomist at the RHS Garden, Wisley working to ensure plants are named and classified correctly. Using molecular tools, he studies the relationship between horticulturally important plant groups in order to help stabilize their names. Traditionally the…
Find out more »The view from Federal Twist – James Golden – Lecture
James Golden is a garden-maker of international repute whose garden,Federal Twist, has featured in The New York Times, Gardens Illustrated,Horticulture, Better Homes and Gardens, Elle Décor and several books.Monty Don visited Federal Twist in 2019 for the BBC series 'Monty Don's American Gardens',describing it as ‘one of the great modern gardens’ and commented after his visit, “It made me rethink what a garden can be and do”. James has published in the Journal of the Society of Garden Designers and…
Find out more »AGM + Lecture by Maisie Brett
The AGM of the Friends of the Botanic Garden will be followed by a lecture by Maisie Brett, University of Bristol Life Sciences PhD student. Maisie did her masters project on plants and pollinators in South Africa. Further details of the lecture will follow in the winter newsletter. Due to the continuing uncertainty regarding Covid-19 restrictions, the Friends’ lectures will continue to be through Zoom for the autumn. This situation will be reviewed in the light of developments including the…
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