With spring just around the corner, members of the public have the opportunity to spot early seasonal flowering plants at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden special winter ‘open Sunday’ this weekend [Sunday 23 March].
Visitors will have the chance to visit the Garden’s glasshouses and experience the secret treasures of the Amazon rainforest, see orchids, bromeliads and encounter a magical world of tropical food and medicinal plants.
There will be a two-hour special tour of the Garden with the curator, Nick Wray, at 10am. Visitors will have the opportunity to hear about new developments in the Garden and learn about plants of seasonal interest.
The early spring delights include the Primula vulgaris (primrose), the Narcissus (daffodil) and the deliciously fragrant Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill.’
Nick Wray, Botanic Garden Curator, said: “With spring nearly upon us, March is a time of promise in the Garden. As the sun travels higher in the sky and filters through the leafless canopies, spring flowering woodland plants make use of the light and emerge before the leaves shut them out.”
The special winter Sunday opening at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, will take place on Sunday 23 March 2014 from 10am to 12 noon. Meet at the Welcome Lodge.
Entry is £4.50 adults; free to University staff and retired staff, Friends of the Botanic Garden, students and children under-16.
Further information is available from the Botanic Garden, The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 1JG, tel 0117 331 4906 or email botanic-gardens@bristol.ac.uk
Further information
About the Botanic Garden
March: Open Monday to Friday from 10 am until 4 pm, or dusk if earlier. Closed on Saturday and Sunday except for advertised winter tours.
The Welcome Lodge will be closed but informational leaflets will be available and a donation from non-Friends is requested.
April and May: Open Monday to Friday and Sunday from 10 am until 4.30 pm. Closed on Saturday except for advertised tours.
Admission is £3.50 adults; free to University staff and retired staff, Friends of the Botanic Garden, students and children under-16.
Dogs (except registered disability assistance dogs) are not permitted in the Botanic Garden.
The Garden is largely accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters with a designated path leading around the Garden and glasshouses and disabled toilet facilities are available.
The garden also offers private day, evening and weekend guided tours for groups and gardening or any other leisure clubs. Please contact the garden for further information. There is a charge for the guide.
Directions to The Holmes
From the city centre go to the top of Whiteladies Road, at the junction and traffic lights go straight ahead across Durdham Down towards Stoke Bishop. At the traffic lights go straight ahead and take the first turning on the right into Stoke Park Road, The Holmes is 150 m on the right.
Members of the public wishing to support the work of the Botanic Garden should join the Friends of the Garden. For more information go to the Friends of the Garden or write to Susan Redfern, The Membership Secretary, 24 Dublin Crescent, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4NA.
