Juleps, oxymels, liniments, emplaisters, syrups, cordials, glycerites, tinctures- there are many diverse ways to make herbal preparations bounded only by your imagination and ingenuity.  Spend a day learning about different herbal preparations and how you can easily make them at home for your personal medicine chest or for beautiful hand-made gifts. Chris Roe was trained at the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine and has his own medicinal herb garden in the North of Bristol from which he runs his herbal apothecary.…

Have you ever wondered why we use Botanical Latin? Do you struggle with long, unpronounceable plant names? Are you frustrated when your favourite plant’s name changes? Come on a journey of discovery with Julie Henderson, revealing the delights of Latin plant names, and how they help us as gardeners. Looking back to the early Plant Collectors, through the Linnaean classification system, and into the future with fascinating current research; all illustrated using the exciting plant displays within the Botanic Garden,…

Join Christine Pritchard for an informal and supportive workshop with lots of opportunities to discuss aspects of the garden that are relevant to the coming gardening season. This might range from pruning and propagation to lawn maintenance. You will be introduced to a range of plants that will make your garden more beautiful every spring. We will concentrate on the decorative aspects of your garden so we will not cover fruit or vegetable production. The aim is to make every…

A drawing course to improve your drawing and your observational skills, with instruction and guidance from a qualified teacher. Located in the glasshouses, each morning you will be encouraged to make studies from a unique botanical collection from climates across the world. For all abilities with a curiosity for drawing from nature in an inspiring environment. Wednesdays 11am – 1pm 10 classes Fee £115 Maximum of 8 people Testimonial : "Thank you for the course. It was really great and…

A stroll around the Botanic Garden really raises your spirits whatever the weather. Curator, Nick Wray, will be leading his first tour of the year to show some of the secret surprises in the garden in winter. Delight in the fragrant plum blossom of Prunus mume which features in so many Chinese silk paintings. Also look out for hellebores, winter box, snowdrops, winter aconites and crocus through the Garden. The Curator will then guide you into the different worlds experienced…

Growing vegetables is hugely rewarding and with more people taking on an allotment for the first time or growing vegetables in a small home plot. Informally taught without exams or tests this evening class will give you a chance to grow your own vegetables with confidence and meet like- minded growers from the surrounding area. Our expert will explain the basics of setting up a growing space; including maintaining a healthy soil, crop planning, crop rotation and plant families, common…

Traditionally the first green spring growth was important for country dwellers as a welcome relief from the stored food of winter, high in fat and protein but low in vitamins and minerals. Many of these spring herbs were known to be active against scurvy due to their high vitamin and mineral content. The high mineral content probably plays a major role in the cleansing action of these herbs on the lymph, kidneys and bowels and can be important in helping…

A not to be missed opportunity for a small group interested in plant and garden photography to spend a day working with professional photographer Graham Parish. Join Graham for a guided walk around the Botanic Garden to identify Spring highlights followed by the opportunity to capture high quality images with guidance from the tutor. The day will conclude with an informal, friendly discussion about your achievements from the day and a chance to ask further questions. Anyone wishing to improve their digital outdoor photography should benefit from…

With winter drawing to a close and the Garden waking up, come and celebrate the coming of spring with a herb walk. The Herb Garden will be full of flower and Chris Roe will highlight the common plants of springtime and how they can be used for food or medicine. There will be a particular focus on the traditional use of spring herbs as blood tonics and tissue cleansers for clearing out the dregs of winter. After the walk feel…

The Mediterranean display Join the Curator as he shows you the plants of interest in the Garden right now. Mid-June sees the Garden in full summer regalia with plants and insects at their most industrious. The tour will take in the Mediterranean display, rare native collection and, if wet, a walk through the glasshouses. The tour will be streamed live on Facebook, so go to our page here and get a Curator's eye view of the…