Alan Mason is one of Europe’s most experienced and best qualified garden designers and consultants. Join Alan for this light hearted look at a lifetime of gardening, from apprenticeship through what might have been to 15 years on television and designing gardens throughout Europe (and still learning).

Unusual edibles offer a glimpse into the diversity of what we can eat beyond common fruits and vegetables. Join us to explore some lesser-known foods to expand our culinary horizons.

This month the tour will take us along some of the lesser known routes; the 'desire' and ‘ghost’ paths to historic areas.

Discover more about alpines with Mark Padgett, where Alpines come from and their uses including historical and geographic anecdotes. 

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.

This month we will be looking at trees and what makes them special in spring. 

Join us on the lawns outside the Dorothy Fox Centre for one of our popular plant sales.

Composting - Reasons to compost material, what to put on your compost heap and methods of composting. Learn more from the expert Jane.

Join us and hear stories about the intrepid plant hunters who brought plants to the UK from around the world.

‘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.

For March we’ll be exploring the history of the Gardens. This tour is also part of the Festival of the Outdoors

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. 

The rich flora of Northern Vietnam.

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.

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. 

Owner of the Dower House in Derbyshire, gardener Griselda Kerr will share some of the pleasures and benefits of gardening.

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.

Friends old and new are invited to our annual festive get-together………

We hope you can join us!

Join us as we walk around the Gardens and learn about some of our magnificent, rare and unusual trees.

Sheffield Organic Growers tenant Nick Johnson will share the story of 10 years growing organically in Sheffield

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.

Join us for our Halloween special exploring poisonous and magical plants in the Gardens.

This event has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances

Horticulturist Graham Duncan of Kirstenbosch National Gardens in South Africa will share his love for the gardens and South African bulbs

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.

We regret it has been necessary to CANCEL this Public Tour and apologise for any inconvenience caused

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.

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

Join us this afternoon for a walk looking at tropical trees and plants around the Gardens.

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.