Monthly Meeting – Botanical Gardens – A Grand Tour

From the sixteenth century to the present day, botanical gardens have been the epicentre of plant research and horticultural excellence. Set aside for science and education, botanical gardens are also places of great beauty, from magnificent avenues of flowering trees, huge glasshouses filled with exotic tropical giants to the tiny and exquisite mountain-side plants in the cool alpine house.This presentation by Jim Paine of Walnut Tree Nursery explores the history and purpose of botanical gardens, illustrated with beautiful images throughout, and then takes a closer look at a handful of gardens, from far distant continents to the world-class Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the easily accessible University of Cambridge Botanical Garden.