Thursday 12 August
Parliament House, Macquarie St., Sydney
Morning Session 9 am – 12.30 pm
Afternoon Session 1.30 pm -4.00 pm
Discover the Plant Hunters!
Hear from modern-day plant hunters and collectors as they share their experiences and adventures with the Friends of The Gardens in a one-day seminar at Parliament House, Sydney.
David Howard, horticulturist and former gardener to royalty, returns from the UK and joins with Royal Botanic Gardens’ scientists, Phil Spence and Peter Weston, and camellia expert Bob Cherry of Paradise Plants to impart stories of amazing expeditions and incredible discoveries
Dr Peter Valder, author and plant collector, will be MC for the day
Morning Session
- Phil Spence has been on numerous field trips into the wilds of New Guinea in search of species first described by legendary German horticulturist and orchidologist Rudolph Schlecter. These species were lost when fires destroyed the Botanical Museum in Berlin during WW2
- David Howard joined a plant hunting expedition to the mountains of Kashmir to find, photograph, record and collect seed from the native flora
Afternoon Session
- Peter Weston will share accounts of his plant collecting trip to the Eastern Cape of South Africa in 2009
- Bob Cherry will speak of his lifelong passion for plants, particularly Camellias and his many trips to China and Vietnams studying the variation within the species
Proudly sponsored by Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Cost: One session only – Friends $52, Non-members $65
All day – Friends $88, Non-members $110
Morning and afternoon teas will be provided
Bookings are essential
For more information and bookings contact the Friends of The Gardens on 02 9231 8182, or friends@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
The Friends of The Gardens Sydney is a non profit Society established to encourage the use and enjoyment of the Gardens by involving the community in scientific, educational, historical, cultural and recreational activities. The Friends promotes, supports and contributes to the development of the Gardens and members receive a generous range of benefits. www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/friends
