Set in the Garden’s 40 acres, the Festival of Plants celebrates all things plant. Free Garden tours, ask-the-gardener and pop-up plant science stalls where University researchers share how they are using plant science to address global problems, are just a few of the highlights on offer. It’s a fun-filled, fact-finding, family day out where the Garden becomes a hive of activity and as well as brimming with spring colour.
Professor Beverley Glover, Director of the Botanic Garden says: “This is a key festival for the Garden and its staff where we bring the wonders of the plant world into focus. May is a glorious month to visit British gardens with so much to see and the University Botanic Garden, here in the heart of Cambridge, is no exception. We have a vast collection of over 8,000 different species of plants from all over the globe, including champion trees and plant species that are on the verge of becoming extinct. The Festival of Plants provides the opportunity to meet some of the staff who look after the plants and the scientists who use them, as well as enjoying so much else that’s on offer throughout the day.”
As well as a range of tours, drop-in, bitesize 10 minute talks about plant related topics are timetabled to run throughout the day. There will also be specialist plant sale stalls, children’s activities, composting and vegetable growing advice, live music and pop-up food and drink on offer as the Garden showcases and shares the fascinating world of plants and the science they support.
The Botanic Garden plays an important role as a focus for plant science research both in Cambridge and also around the world. The Garden’s collection of 8000 species is used by researchers investigating how plants work, how they evolved, how they are related to each other and how they can be used to address global problems as challenging as food security and climate change.
Beverley continues: “Some of the species we grow are the focus of conservation projects because they are so rare while some are the focus of projects to extend the range and yield of important crops and we really want to encourage people to come and see these plants, realise their importance and potential as they really are amazing!”
FESTIVAL OF PLANTS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Plant Science
Pop-up Science Marquee on the Main Lawn. Groups from the University’s Plant Science Department, Sainsbury Laboratory and other local groups demonstrate and explain the wonders of plants with hands on experiments and interactive games designed to highlight how world-leading research can help address global challenges.
Free Garden Tours
Garden Guides and staff will be giving highlight tours showing what's best in the Garden. Up to midday, our Trainee Horticultural Technicians will also be conducting drop-in canopy tours of our Tropical Glasshouse.
Talking Plants (and a few songs)
10-15 minute drop in talks throughout the day in the marquee by the lake. Topics include plant hunting in Vietnam, pollination and tropical plants. Plus, John Hinton, theatre practitioner and science communicator, will be returning to the Garden to educate and amuse, using the format of song - also appearing on the Main Lawn.
Cambridge Orchid Society Annual Show
The Cambridge Orchid Society Annual Show is being held in our Glasshouse Range. Experts will be on hand to give out growing hints and tips with sales by Laurence Hobbs Orchids Ltd.
Ask the Gardener
Visitors are invited to bring along tricky garden questions, dilemmas or plants to identify and the Garden’s horticultural team will be happy to help and give advice.
Schools’ Garden
Drop-in to the Schools Garden and Garden Room for some creativity and fun. Activities will run from 11am – 5pm. Composting and vegetable growing advice will also be available.
Plant Promenade
A unique opportunity to purchase from local and specialist nurseries. Includes specialist ferns (Fernatix), bulbs (Riverside Bulbs), Alpines (D'Arcy Everest) and perennials (Plant Heritage).
Around the Fringe
Throughout the day musical entertainment will be provided by Kelly & Woolley (Cajun session), Thursday's Band (a bit of Folk with a dash of Country and a splash of Rock), John Hinton (as above), and Cambridge Morris Men. The Garden Cafe will be providing fresh food with additional refreshments from Caffe Mobile, Jack's Gelato, Wandering Yak and Steak & Honour. Also take time to visit our pop-up Garden museum (1pm - 5pm only).
Talks are drop-in and tours can be booked on the day at the Tour Tent on the Main Lawn. For further visitor information please call 01223 336265 or visit www.botanic.cam.ac.uk
Festival of Plants is supported by the CambPlants and the Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University.