Latest News

Special Attraction - Amorphophallus konjac - a few days only

Curator Ian Turner writes (21 May 2013): Impressive flower - Amorphophallus konjac (Devil's Tongue) is now open in the East Dome of the Pavilions.
"Plant of the week" (won't last a month)? Only lasts a few days and due to be fully open tonight (probably). Smells of rotting meat. Exciting to some of us!
2013-05-21 Amorphophallus konjac 1 - I Turner
©I. Turner, 2013 		2013-05-21 Amorphophallus konjac 2 - I Turner.jpg
©I. Turner, 2013

"Compost, Mulching & Soil Improvement - 7.15pm Monday, 10 June 2013

Dr Ken Thompson, FOBS Member and Tour Guide is also a frequent columnist in the Gardening Section of the Daily Telegraph. He is an experienced ecologist, gardener and author of several popular books.
Visitors welcome - £3 at the door.

FOBS Plant Sale - 5 May 2013

2013-05-05 Plant Sale 1 - Susan Turner
©S. Turner, 2013 		2013-05-05 Plant Sale 3 - S Turner
©S. Turner, 2013 		2013-05-05 Plant Sale 4 - S Turner
©S. Turner, 2013

Shropshire Holiday - Cancellation - Space now available

FOBS JUNE VISIT TO SHROPSHIRE - Sunday 16th June - Thursday 20th June 2013
Despite the heading, we shall also be visiting gardens in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Staffordshire so it could be called The Four Counties Tour! Due to a cancellation there is now a place available, please contact Jane Quibell - FOBS Chairman

Arroll Winning - FOBS Co-founder, Chairman & President

It is with great sadness that the FOBS committee have to report the death of Arroll Winning. Arroll came to Sheffield in 1967 as Parks Manager, becoming Director of the Recreation Department two years later. In the horticultural world he worked on many committees and was an examiner for the Royal Forestry Society, the Royal Horticultural Society and the Institute of Park and Recreational Administration.
In 1984 Arroll and Don Williams (the then Curator) launched the Friends of the Botanical Gardens. Arroll was Chairman for ten years and played a crucial role in the development of the society. After a short break, for health reasons, he took on the role of supervising the Wednesday volunteers. When Don Williams stepped down in 1998, Arroll was elected President of FOBS. He was still attending the Gardens to help the propagation team last September, but resigned from his position as President in late October. Arroll was an inspiration to all who worked with him in the Gardens and his encyclopaedic knowledge of plants was awe-inspiring. He will be greatly missed. (26 February 2013)

Mediterranean Climate Garden (26 February 2013)

2013-02-26 Mediterranean Garden 3 A Hunter Work has started and all the old plantings have now been removed along with the geo-textile membrane that covered the whole of the lower section. The theme of the garden covers the Mediterranean Climate type i.e. areas of the world that have warm wet winters followed by hot dry summers. Plants will be arranged by geographical origin: the Cape of South Africa, Southwest Australia, Coastal Chile, Coastal California and the Mediterranean Basin itself.

Digital Books - Tuesday, 29 January 2013 at 10.00am

Anthony Marshall gave an interesting talk on digital books. He is a photographer and artist. Having made over 50 visits to the Botanical Gardens, he created a digital book about them. See also www.anthony-marshall.com
To preview the book: "Sheffield Botanical Gardens - a contemporary view" click here

Wednesday Morning Volunteers Briefing Day - 16 January 2013

Wednesday Volunteers Briefing Day In spite of snow and perishingly cold temperatures, Curator Ian Turner's Volunteer Briefing Day was well attended. After a short introduction, Ian led the group round the Gardens explaining the plans for the coming gardening year. Pictured here in the Mediterranean garden which is due for a major overhaul this year. For some very hardy flowers blooming on this chilly day please see the Photo Page.

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