This press release just through from the RBGE:
Snowdrop Conference to be held at the Botanics
Snowdrop enthusiasts will be converging on the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) for a major conference dedicated to one of winter’s much-loved floral treasures.
Galanthophiles, as snowdrop enthusiasts are known, will be attending the first conference of its kind in Scotland. It has been organised by RBGE in association with the Cambo Estate, home to Scotland’s national collection of snowdrops.
Dr David Rae, RBGE’s Director of Horticulture, said snowdrops are among the best-loved of Britain’s flowers and have been collected and celebrated for hundreds of years.
He explained “Cultivated snowdrops date back to Medieval times and signify the start of the transition period between winter and spring. Originally known as the Candlemas Bells, they were viewed as an emblem of purity and were widely seen in monasteries and country estates. Today there are endless varieties but each has its own distinctive characteristics which is perhaps one of the reasons these botanical gems are so loved and admired.’’
Dr Rae added: “It is very fitting that the Snowdrop Conference is being held at the Botanics because we have a specialist collection of snowdrops here in Edinburgh. There are also spectacular displays of snowdrops at our two regional gardens at Dawyck in the Scottish Borders and Logan in Dumfries and Galloway.’’
The conference on Friday, February 20 2009 will include a line-up of speakers as well as guided tours of the snowdrop collections in the Edinburgh Garden.
Author Rod Leeds will present a talk entitled Autumn and Early Flowering Snowdrops and Professor John Richards, Emeritus Professor of Botany at the University of Newcastle, will address delegates about Yellow Snowdrops in Northumberland.
Sir Herbert Maxwell – A View will be presented by Professor Peter Behan, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Neurology and Senior Research Fellow, Glasgow University, while The Life and Work of Samuel Arnott is the title of a talk by Professor Michael Tooley, Professor Emeritus of the University of Kingston.
The day will end with an exhibition of snowdrops by the Scottish Rock Garden Club and plant sales.
The conference is part of the 2009 Scottish Snowdrop Festival, an annual event organised by VisitScotland.
To register for the conference contact Rachel Brown at RBGE on 0131 248 2844 or email rachel.brownATrbge.org.uk
For information about the Scottish Snowdrop Festival visit
www.rbge.org.uk/snowdrop Notes:
Three of RBGE’s Gardens are taking part in Scotland’s 2009 Snowdrop Festival, in which gardens throughout Scotland open early in the year to encourage visitors to get out and admire the drifts of snowdrops in the clear winter light. Now in its third year, the Snowdrop Festival is run by VisitScotland and showcases the best snowdrop gardens, woodlands and estates across the country.
Dawyck Botanic Garden at Stobo, near Peebles, is renowned for its stunning drifts of snowdrops which cover the banks of the Scrape Burn and spread far up the hillside.
Logan Botanic Garden, near Stranraer, is opening on Sundays throughout the festival to allow visitors to enjoy the carpet of snowdrops among a wide variety of early flowering rhododendrons, camellias and other exotic plants in the sub-tropical garden.
A specialist collection of snowdrops is scattered throughout the Edinburgh Garden, especially in the Rock Garden and woodland areas.
Snowdrop-themed events will be held at the Edinburgh Garden, including guided walks, family science and craft activities. A special collection of historic photographs and botanical illustrations from RBGE archives will be on display in the library foyer.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a Non Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Executive. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees who are appointed by Ministers. Its mission is to “explore and explain the world of plants’’ and its primary functions are as a centre of scientific and horticultural excellence, keeper of the national collections and promoter of science in the public domain.
The four Gardens of RBGE – Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan – comprise the National Botanic Gardens of Scotland and are numbered among the most popular visitor attractions in Scotland, bringing together many inter-related cultural areas of activity.
