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Herb talk – Back to our senses with Chris Roe
Mostly when we learn about herbs we rely upon information from a book and we think of their medicinal action in terms of biochemistry. But what can we learn about herbs from our own senses? During this workshop we will look at the 5 tastes and how taste can have specific physiologic effects as well as telling us something about its medicinal action. In the past people believed in the doctrine of signatures that a plant conveyed in its form…
Find out more »The role of Botanic Gardens as a positive force to mitigate against climate change and biodiversity loss
The Botanic Garden and the Annals of Botany are delighted to host Dr. Paul Smith, Secretary General of the world’s largest plant conservation network, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), for this year's Annals of Botany lecture. The mission of BGCI is ‘to mobilize botanic gardens and engage partners in securing plant diversity for the well-being of people and the planet’. Dr Smith has travelled widely, helping to set up botanic gardens and bring people together with a shared interest to…
Find out more »Photography at Twilight workshop with Graham Parish
Sunset and twilight are considered by many photographers to be two of the best times in the day to take pictures. Join Graham Parish and have a look at the reasons why. The first half of the workshop will be in the classroom. We’ll have a look at some twilight images, consider how they were achieved and also consider how we can overcome some of the challenges twilight may present. In the second half we’ll go out and find some…
Find out more »Curator’s tour
Join an inspiring special tour of the Garden with the Curator, Nicholas Wray. Enjoy hearing about the new South African Rondaval and the exciting tea garden. Then, experience the secret treasures of the Amazon rainforest in the exotic glasshouses; enjoy enchanting orchids, bromeliads and a magical world of tropical food and medicinal plants. Come rain or shine there will be plenty to see. Tours are an excellent opportunity to hear updates of the innumerable new developments and also learn about…
Find out more »The orchid hunter: a summer in search of our tresses and twayblades – Leif Bersweden – Lecture
Leif Bersweden has had a lifelong interest in nature, focusing on plants from the age of seven. He grew up in rural Wiltshire where he taught himself how to identify the local flora and now regularly leads plant identification training courses for The Species Recovery Trust. Leif graduated in biology from the University of Oxford and is now a PhD student at Kew Gardens, where his research focuses on orchid genetics. In a world where an interest in botany is…
Find out more »Tropical Terrarium workshop with Loof
Get hands on and learn a new planting skill with Robi from Loof at one of her terrarium workshops! Learn all about the history of terrariums, how to plant one up and the plants you will be working with. You'll be shown you a quick demo before you get stuck in and plant up your own! Robi will be on hand to lend her experience and expertise. You’ll get to walk away with your beautiful creation, knowledge on how to…
Find out more »Mosses and Liverworts – Dr. Jonathan Sleath – Lecture
Dr. Sleath has been an amateur bryologist since 1979 when he joined the British Bryological Society as a schoolboy. He was recorder for bryophytes for Herefordshire until 2018. Bryophytes is the collective term for mosses, hornworts and liverworts, spore-producing, rather than seed-producing, plants without flowers. The British Isles support a rich and geographically diverse flora of bryophytes with more than 1000 native species (four hornworts, 298 liverworts and 767 mosses) currently known. Fifty-nine new species have been discovered in the…
Find out more »Up your photography with Phil Savoie
Join award winning cinematographer Phil Savoie with these two enthralling 50 minute lectures. Phil will share local images, lens science and methods to better your photography. No matter what you shoot, sports, people, nature or astrophotography there will be useful practical tips for everyone beginner to pro. Phil has 40 years experience as a biologist, photographer and filmmaker and has worked with BBC (Planet Earth, Life of Mammals, Deep Jungle, Congo, Wild Africa, Life in the Undergrowth) and National Geographic…
Find out more »Bryophytes and Ferns with Dr Paul L Smith
This is a two-day course to introduce and develop understanding of bryophytes and ferns and to develop skills in their identification. It is aimed at beginners. Students can attend one or both days. This course will open the door to a fascinating group of organisms able to tell us much about the environments in which they are found and how these might be changing. Bryophytes and their distribution patterns can tell us how the environment itself is evolving due to…
Find out more »Plant preparations and herbal pharmacy with Chris Roe
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.…
Find out more »Christmas wreath making
It’s that time of year again, when you can take some time out and enjoy a minced pie while you create your own Christmas wreath. There will be lots of traditional greenery and seasonal treats from the hedgerow to choose from, so you can make your wreath as wild and natural as you dare. Feel free to bring any of your own items to add a personal and unique touch. There are two workshop dates to choose from; Saturday 7th December and Sunday…
Find out more »Botanical Latin simplified
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,…
Find out more »Planting the Oudolf Gardens at Hauser and Wirth, Bruton, Somerset – Rory Dusoir – Lecture
Rory Dusoir decided to pursue a career in horticulture while studying for a classics degree at Balliol College, Oxford. After graduating, he worked at Great Dixter as assistant head gardener prior to undertaking the prestigious Kew Diploma. He has been head gardener at Howe Mill, Wiltshire and Stud House, a private estate within the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. During these years, he was given some freedom to develop his own distinctive planting style. In 2016, Rory set up the…
Find out more »Seasonal gardening – make the best of your garden in time for spring
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…
Find out more »Food for insect pollinators in towns and cities – Nick Tew – Lecture
Nick is just starting his third year of studies for a PhD at the University of Bristol working in Professor Jane Memmott's community ecology group. His current research focuses on the conservation of insect pollinators in an urban setting. Previously, he has worked on bumblebee foraging behaviour as part of his master's at Imperial College and web building behaviour in spiders at the University of Oxford during his undergraduate degree. In his spare time he is a keen gardener and the proud owner of a wildlife-friendly allotment. Towns and…
Find out more »Herald the spring with a special tour with the Curator
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…
Find out more »Spring herbs for spring cleanse
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…
Find out more »Friends’ AGM & Lecture – Cancelled
WE ARE SORRY TO ADVISE THAT IN VIEW OF THE RISK TO ALL CONCERNED THE FRIENDS AGM AND LECTURE DUE TO TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY 19 MARCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED. We hope that we will be able to rearrange the lecture by Dr Kálmán Könyves at a later date. Further information will be issued regarding the AGM in due course.
Find out more »Spring photography workshop – CANCELLED
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…
Find out more »Spring foraging herb walk with Chris Roe – CANCELLED
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…
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