Introduction to Willow Weaving

      Learn how to make decorative and functional plant supports for your garden. After a brief introduction you will learn the basic willow weaving skills and make a plant support to take home with you. We will also talk about growing and managing a willow bed and if time make garden edging hurdles.      Jon Warnes your tutor, is author of Living Willow Sculpture and maker of large sculptural willow fences, arches and shelters. Most recently he has worked at Cambo Estate during Snowdrop Festival for the last two years making willow playhouses and arches. He has also run courses in Kyrgyzstan.

Venue: the Glass Class and the Botanic Garden

Coffee and tea available. Please bring a packed lunch.

Bring secateurs and a kneeling pad if you have them and come in warm clothing as we will be working outdoors

Paint the Garden Day Competition in association with St Andrews Art Club

Please contact the Education Secretary (see above) for full entry details and competition guidelines

Herbs for All

     By popular request June Riches (late of Strathkinness Herbs) will be giving a Herbs for All Day in the Glass Class and the Herb Garden. History, uses, anecdotes, recipes and edible goodies with herbs for you to try and a pot herb to take home.

Bumblebee Identification Workshop

     Bumblebees are fascinating creatures but just six of Scotland 's 16 species are common and widespread. How many could you identify? Come along to our workshop during National Insect Week and learn more about bumblebees, their important role in pollination, why they need conservation, and how you can help. During the workshop you will develop your bumblebee identification skills and put these to good use on a guided walk around the Botanic Gardens.

Venue: The Glass Class at the Botanic Garden

Fee: £30.00

Saturday 30 June 2012
10am-3pm

Phormium Weaving Workshop

     Learn to weave small baskets and other items with a new material- the colourful leaves of Phormium tenax. This friendly summertime class will be led by Mindy Grewar, who is a local “weekend weaver” and former community arts officer in Scotland and New Zealand . She learned the technique from Maori weavers, whose tradition evolved from making essential clothing, shelter, containers, and spiritual objects from natural materials. We’ll start by collecting leaves from the Garden, then folding and weaving them into flowers for dried arrangements. With the basics mastered, we’ll go on to making a small basket to take home, and if time allows look at making small toys and bracelets.

Venue: the Glass Class at the Botanic Garden.

Coffee and tea available.
Please bring a packed lunch, 6-10 clothes-pegs (with springs), an old tea towel or large rag, and secateurs (if you have them)

     This is judgment day for the entrants to our Paint the Garden Competition (I9 June).In the morning the entries will be assessed by our expert artistic panel of Claire Dalby, Liz Yule and Anne Lightwood.
     In the afternoon Garden visitors can see the display of entries and find out who has won the first and second prizes in the three categories of the competition.
     The prizes, which have been generously donated by a number of local businesses and a private donor, will be presented by the judges at 4pm , followed by tea in the Glass Class for the competitors and their friends.

Venue: the Glass Class and the Botanic Garden

Coffee and tea available.