Future events
Here you can see all the events that we’re organising, including Friends lectures, the schedule for our public tours of the Gardens, and any planned plant sales. You can find more details on the lecture programme and on our tours schedule.
For information on public courses and workshops, visit the official website for the Gardens.
Type of Event
A Future for Horticulture....... Without Digital - John Foley
John Foley, owner of Holden Clough Nurseries in Lancashire and former RHS Master Grower, has advocated for a shift away from digital-dependent horticulture, focusing instead on hands-on, traditional gardening techniques. He emphasises the mental and physical benefits of gardening, connecting with nature, and understanding plants directly.
People, Plants and Pavilions Public Tour
For March we’ll be exploring the history of the Gardens. This tour is also part of the Festival of the Outdoors
Edimental Kitchen Garden
‘All You Can Eat’ - a talk on the design, growing and educational potential of edible planting
Centred around the design, build and legacy of their Silver-Gilt award-winning Long Border at RHS Wentworth Woodhouse last year, titled ‘The Discovery Outdoors Edimental Kitchen Classroom’, John, Sam and Bridget talk about the often overlooked qualities and potentials of edible ornamental ( or ‘edimental’) planting. John explores the educational aspect, Sam talks about designing with edimentals, whilst Bridget speaks about growing and caring for them.
Plants and Plant Hunters Public Tour
Join us and hear stories about the intrepid plant hunters who brought plants to the UK from around the world.
Composting
Composting - Reasons to compost material, what to put on your compost heap and methods of composting. Learn more from the expert Jane.
Trees of Spring Interest public tour
This month we will be looking at trees and what makes them special in spring.
Herbs and plants, protection in the Medieval Period
Welcome Elaine Perkins giving a talk on “Herbs and plants, protection in the Medieval Period”
In the Medieval Period, if the church couldn't help, you turned to the local cunning woman for the answers. From Ancient spells, such as the Nine Herb charm to Flying Ointment and mandrake root. Find out more in this talk.
Alpines and their uses
Discover more about alpines with Mark Padgett, where Alpines come from and their uses including historical and geographic anecdotes.
Perfumes and Potions Public Tour
For February we’ll be exploring some of the scents and smells of the early Spring garden, as well as examining the medicinal heritage of some of our plants.
Catherine Horwood ‘Penelope Hobhouse: a life in gardens’ Online lecture
Author and biographer Dr Catherine Horwood looks at the life of garden designer and historian Penelope Hobhouse, now in her late 90s and still gardening every day.
Griselda Kerr ‘The Joys of Gardening’ Live Lecture
Owner of the Dower House in Derbyshire, gardener Griselda Kerr will share some of the pleasures and benefits of gardening.
Becky fincham ‘The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health’ online lecture
Becky Fincham, Head of Programmes at The Serge Hill Project and Tom Stuart-Smith Studio will describe how the Project has become a destination for gardeners, garden designers and plant lovers.
Christmas social
Friends old and new are invited to our annual festive get-together………
We hope you can join us!
National Tree Week Public Tour
Join us as we walk around the Gardens and learn about some of our magnificent, rare and unusual trees.
Sheffield Organic Growers ‘Growing Organically in Sheffield’ Live Lecture
Sheffield Organic Growers tenant Nick Johnson will share the story of 10 years growing organically in Sheffield
Annual General Meeting with Grow uk
The Friends’ AGM will commence at 10.00am in the Dorothy Fox Centre in the Botanical Gardens and is open to all members. Following the formal part of the meeting, we will be joined by Dave Cooke, of nature-based Sheffield youth development charity Grow.
Halloween - Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble - Poisonous and Magical Plants Public Tour
Join us for our Halloween special exploring poisonous and magical plants in the Gardens.
CANCELLED - Amy Langron ‘Restoring the Walled Garden’ Live Lecture
This event has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances
Graham Duncan ‘Kirstenbosch, the most beautiful garden in Africa, and its collection of South African bulbs’ Live lecture
Horticulturist Graham Duncan of Kirstenbosch National Gardens in South Africa will share his love for the gardens and South African bulbs
POSTPONED: Ben Preston ‘Cliff Bank Nursery - a new chapter’ Live Lecture
We regret it has been necessary to POSTPONE Ben Preston’s talk to next year - please look out for details of the new date. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Shakespeare’s Botanicals Public Tour
We regret it has been necessary to CANCEL this Public Tour and apologise for any inconvenience caused
Dr Andrew Ward ‘Success with Sand’ Live Lecture
Andrew Ward of Norwell Nurseries will share advice on successfully growing perennials in sand and provide tips for those that garden on a sandy soil.
‘Designing the Winds of Change Garden’ Live Lecture
In conversation with ‘Winds of Change’ designers James, Marko and Saachi as they share the story of their 2024 award winning pocket garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Festival
Tropical Trees and Plants Public Tour
Join us this afternoon for a walk looking at tropical trees and plants around the Gardens.
Vernon Sanderson ‘Inside the National Garden Scheme’ Live Lecture
Friend of the Botanical Gardens, Vernon Sanderson will give an overview of the history of the NGS charity, their plans to celebrate their centenary in 2027 and share tales of his own participation in the Scheme over many years.
Dene Wood ‘Working the Clumber Landscape’ Live Lecture
Clumber Head Gardener, Dene Wood will share some of the horticultural and heritage projects his team have delivered in recent years and share thoughts around future developments
Pollinators and Plants Public Tour
Join us this evening for a walk looking at how plants and their pollinators interact.
Natural Dyes Public Tour
In July we will be looking at plants used to make natural dyes.
Geoff Hodge ‘Propagation - Plants for Free’ Live Lecture
Garden writer Geoff Hodge will provide hints, tips and advice on vegetative propagation, from splitting herbaceous plants to taking cuttings from a wide range of garden plants.
Plant Sale hosted by The Friends of Botanical Gardens Sheffield
Join us for our July plant sale
Jenny Stephenson ‘Medicinal Plants - Powerful Prescriptions Through History’ Live Lecture
In this illustrated talk, Dr Jenny Stephenson will give an overview of the history of the use of plant-based medications over the world and relate this to their basic chemistry and use in some of today’s medicines.
Pollinators and Plants Public Tour
This evening we will be looking at how plants and pollinators work together.
The Apothecary’s Apprentice Public Tour
Join us for a walk looking at the medicinal uses of plants.
Becky Crowley ‘Creating a Cutting Garden’ Live Lecture
Gardener and artist Becky Crowley will discuss the key principles to consider when planning and growing ornamental cutting gardens for productivity, beauty and biodiversity.
