Join Dr Andy Bailey as he talks about his life in molecular mycology, a fascinating world and an expert in his field. He has researched all sorts of aspects of fungal biology, ranging from their development, the diseases they cause to plants and insects, possible use for biological control, managing fungi by chemical methods, fungi as […]

We are once again delighted to hold our annual jazz concert with the Blue Notes and Hannah Wedlock and with additional entertainment from the local ukulele band, South Bristol Ukes who played for us in 2022. All tickets should be purchased in advance. Blue Notes Band perform at the Garden Bring a picnic and drinks […]

Please note this workshop has been moved to Wednesday 2nd of August (previously Wednesday 26th July) Join Sophie Sherwood for this phytogram workshop. Using vitamin C tablets and washing soda, you will learn how to make your very own light sensitive chemistry. This can then be applied on to light sensitive materials such as 35mm […]

This workshop is about the life of a carrot and a beetroot and how they grow from seed to delicious vegetables to eat! We will learn about germination and different parts of the plant (roots, shoots, leaves and stems) and what plants need to live (water, soil and sunshine). The children will be given beetroot […]

A rose moss; Rhodobryum roseum. Image by George Greiff. Join George Greiff from the University's Faculty of Life Sciences as he unveils the wonderful world of bryophytes; plants including mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. These are plant pioneers that have been ever present for 450 million years. George will provide a general overview and talk about […]

This four-day course running during September and October will be linked with themed workshops, covering the different stages of botanical painting and drawing; suitable for both beginners and more advanced students. Sharpen up your pencils to improve your drawing skills, working from observation of different plant specimens. Explore different watercolour techniques of wet and dry […]

The greening of Ascension Island UPDATE: Please note that there is an error in the Autumn 2023 Friends' Newsletter, and this event will take place on Thursday 21st of September, and not the 14th as originally posted. Additionally, it will be held in the Frank Lecture Theatre, not the Tress. The Friends of the University […]

Why are the whitebeams in the Avon Gorge a wonder? Whitebeam, Sorbus avonensis, over the Avon Gorge Just what is it about Bristol’s amazing Avon Gorge that gives us 5 species of whitebeam which grow here and nowhere else in the world? Discover the answers in the Botanical Gardens with curator Nick Wray, and then […]

Join Tom Leonard, aka Daisy Desire the Drag Queen Gardener, someone who brings “the couture to your manure”. Tom Leonard is a trained horticulturist from Warwickshire, who happens to have a passion for drag. After a break up in 2019 he decided to get an allotment, where his love of gardening grew (and so did […]

Help make a proper Bristol Cider!  More apples than you can use? Donate them to be part of our local cider project and enjoy a free cider!  Apple Day aims to reduce wastage of garden apples, bringing together the community and The Cider Box taprooms for this one-day event here at the University of Bristol […]

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 […]

A special fundraising lecture for the Friends' Education and Training Fund An evening with Adam Frost Join Adam Frost as he shares his life in gardening, starting out with his grandparents, then an apprenticeship in the Parks Department, time spent with Geoff Hamilton, and his story of the Chelsea Flower Show and how he ended […]