JGS SE Virtual Meeting

Southeast Region is delighted to announce its 2026 January Study 1/2 Day –

Timothy Walker, retired director of Oxford Botanic Gardens will present two talks

SEED COLLECTING IN JAPAN

Japan is fascinating country botanically with 1 in 3 of the 4,500 species growing only in Japan.  Much of the land is mountainous and thus it is a rich source of alpine species.  This expedition arranged jointly by RBG Kew and the Alpine Garden Society collected seeds from 450 species.  Along the way we were treated to many of the unique aspects of Japanese life.

GARDEN HUNTING IN CHINA

While many English gardeners have visited China to “collect” plants, few have gone to look for gardens.  The Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship Scheme funded this six-week trip to visit gardens and meet gardeners, with a view to building bridges between Chinese & English horticulture.  In addition to examining gardens and gardening, this talk looks at some of the wider cultural aspects of a country full of contradictions, and some wonderful food, and the very welcoming people.

Details on how to attend will be sent out in December, or contact the secretary at sesec@jgs.org.uk.