Friday 20 November 2026
17.30 for 18.00 GMT
Ambra Edwards: Plant Hunters
Our winter lecture programme starts with a botanical world tour with Ambra Edwards, a multi-award-winning garden writer who specialises in garden history, with a particular interest in the people who make gardens.
Ambra’s talk will explore the intriguing origins of some favourite garden plants. She will take us from the snowy passes of Tibet to the Amazon jungle, from the primeval forest of the North Pacific to the ramparts of 19th century Shanghai. Ambra will share colourful and exciting histories of plants traversing the globe – from botanical raids in Ancient Egypt right up to 21st century seed-banks and the new and endangered species being discovered every year.
Hear tales of swashbuckling adventure and dogged endurance, of hair-raising escapes and crushing disappointment, of human courage triumphing over the brutalities of hunger, rape and war. Meet the dauntless men who set off boldly into unmapped forest and uncharted seas in search of plant treasure. Meet intrepid women explorers who deserve to be far better known – including the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. Share the wonder of chance discoveries – the world’s biggest flower and the world’s tallest tree – as well as the extraordinary complexity of plants we take completely for granted.
Ambra’s lecture is sumptuously illustrated with glorious paintings from the historic archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
It is essential to book before 3pm on Thursday 19 November.