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…

Join the Curator as he shows you the plants of interest in the Garden right now. We've passed midsummer's day and the season is in full swing, flower is at its most abundant and many displays are at their height. The tour will be streamed live on Facebook, so go to our page here and get a Curator's eye view of the Botanic Garden; you don't need a Facebook account to view the video, and after the event the video…

Bees are still buzzing around the Botanic Garden, but we have taken the decision very sadly to cancel this year’s Festival owing to the restrictions to protect people from the ongoing effects of Covid 19 pandemic. This has not been an easy decision to take. We realise many people will be greatly disappointed at this news. Since it started ten years ago with a handful of exhibitors in the walled garden car park, the weekend event has grown both in…

An introduction to the exciting world of propagating plants. Your tutor Julie Henderson will guide you through the various methods of creating new plants. You will learn the principles behind plant propagation with a general overview of the basic types of propagation for the home gardener; including seed collecting and sowing, division, layering and the various types of cuttings, including some houseplants. The practical session will focus on what is suitable for the time of year, but the skills you…

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 also be introduced to a range of plants that will make your garden more beautiful every autumn. We will concentrate on the decorative aspects of your garden so we will not cover fruit or vegetable production. The aim is to make…

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 Autumn 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…

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…