On the 12th of October we will be joined by Maddy, the Senior Food Growing Coordinator at Food Works, who's going to be sharing with us their journey of turning the old council glasshouses into a thriving community garden. Maddy believes that food sits at the heart (or the belly) of many of the struggles we face today, the climate, our relationship with the outdoors, nourishment and community. She's going to explore with you why growing local food is so important, now more than ever, and how to get involved in building your local food movement
Join Gerry talking about some of the surprising things that plants do, their behaviours and hoping to make people think about plants in a different light, not only exotic plants but some of the UK plants too. Posing the question "Do Plants Think?"
Join Jenny to take a look at the social impact which plants have had in history. Through history, these everyday plants had powerful effects on people, bringing vital resources, or great harm – or both.
Join us as we walk around the Gardens and learn about some of our magnificent, rare and unusual trees.
Ethiopian black banana (or Abyssinian red banana)
The tropical style planting in front of South Lodge on the Thompson Road drive this year extends round the cottage, giving an even more spectacular effect. The most dramatic plant contributing to this is E. ventricosum ‘Maurelii’, with its huge paddle shaped leaves, olive green with red midribs and rich burgundy developing on the undersides. These don’t shred in wind as the other banana related plants do. It is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial which can reach 3m by 2m.
Join us for our Halloween special exploring poisonous and magical plants in the Gardens.