Plant Societies Talks and Events
Join a series of educational talks at Ness led by a variety of experts, including speakers from prominent gardening groups and societies.
The educational talks at Ness include programmes of talks from the Alpine Garden Society and British Cactus and Succulent Society. We also host talks and other activities arranged by the regional branch of the Royal Horticultural Society's Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia Group.
The societies' events provide the opportunity to indulge your passion for plants, learn something new, and meet like-minded enthusiasts.
Alpine Garden Society
Join the Wirral and West Cheshire Group of the Alpine Garden Society for a series of educational talks and other events.
All events are held at Ness Botanic Gardens unless otherwise stated. Talks begin at 7.15pm unless otherwise stated.
| Date | Event type | Speaker | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 19 September | Talk | Faye Adams | Murray Bartlett Memorial Lecture: The past, present, and future of the Alpine and Rock Garden at RBG Kew |
| Friday 10 October | Talk | Alan Oatway | Springtime in Nepal |
| Friday 14 November | Talk | Rosie Turner | Flowers of the Vercors |
| Friday 28 November | Event | N/A | Christmas Members’ Lunch |
| Friday 9 January | Talk | Ian and Carol Bainbridge | World of bulbs |
| Friday 13 February | Talk | David Sellars (Canada) (Zoom) | The Joy of Sax(ifrages) |
| Friday 13 March | Talk | Tony Goode | Hilary’s View |
| Friday 10 April | Event | N/A | Garden visit and AGM |
| Sunday 10 May | Event | N/A | Local Show |
| Sunday 5 July | Event | N/A | Plant Fair |
Visit the Alpine Garden Society website to find out more about the society or to join as a member.
British Cactus and Succulent Society
Join the Chester and North Wales branch of the British Cactus and Succulent Society (BCSS) for a varied programme of expert insights into cacti and succulents.
The society invites a series of external, expert, speakers to present illustrated talks on cacti and succulents, both in cultivation and in habitat.
Meetings are usually held on the first Friday of each month at 7.30pm at Ness Botanic Gardens.
Visit the Chester and North Wales Branch of the BCSS website to find out more about the branch. Information about joining as a member is available on the BCSS website.
Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia Group
Join the North West England and North Wales branch of the RHS Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia Group for a series of educational talks: https://www.rhodogroup-rhs.org/
| Date | Time | Event type | Speaker | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 4 October | 14:00 | Talk (Lecture Theatre) | Rowan Griffiths | Rhododendron species at Hergest Croft |
| Saturday 29 October | 14:00 | Talk (Lecture Theatre) | Ned Lomax | A Botanical Trip to Sichuan, June 2025 |
| Saturday 24 January | 14:00 | Talk (Lecture Theatre) | Tracy Snell | The Making of Bridgewater |
| Saturday 7 March | 14:00 | Talk (Lecture Theatre) | Paul Cook | Harlow Carr woodland - planning for the future and preserving historic collections |
| Saturday 18 April | 10:00 | Event (Bulley Room) | N/A | Annual Show |
| Wednesday 6th May | 11:00 - 13:00 | Garden Tour | Ned Lomax | Tour of Bodnant Gardens |
Cost
Free to members of NW branch
£3.00 for non-members