Climate Change: the long-range gardener's forecast

A wide-ranging, illustrated talk that briefly summarises the current science behind climate change forecasts, before delving into the impacts likely to be seen globally, in the UK generally and East Anglia more specifically.

How, as gardeners, can we respond? What steps might we take to ensure we can still continue to enjoy success in the garden and contribute to tackling the issue by reducing our own impact, conserving and nurturing biodiversity and supporting larger community-wide projects - an active and optimistic approach.



This popular talk invariably leads to a lively question-and-answer session.

From mighty acorns: the story of the British Oak

Oak trees are the very essence of the British countryside, and are rightly cherished and valued as our single most important tree.

In this talk we look at the history of our oaks, from the end of the last Ice Age to an uncertain but optimistic future. The crucial contribution oaks make to our landscapes, the rich cultural and historical heritage and the critically important wildlife value of oaks are all covered in this colourful and engaging presentation.

Gardening in the Shade

A shady garden should be seen as an asset and a wonderful opportunity to grow all manner of charming woodland and other shade-adapted specialists.

In this talk we look at how certain plants, such as Epimediums, Hostas, Brunneras and ferns to name just a small handful are adapted to shady conditions and apply this understanding to making good choices for the garden. We also look at how to deal with severe shade and even dry shade, and so make best use of all the garden.

Illustrated with colourful slides this talk works especially well in spring but is available for any time of year.

Trees for all Seasons

Richly illustrated by slides,  this talk ranges widely over the whole topic of trees, both ornamental and productive, in the garden.

We look at form and habit, flowers, fruit, bark and foliage as well as wildlife value and how trees can alter the entire ecology of a garden - hopefully for the better!



We also take time to think about good planting practice, complementary planting, pruning, training and ultimately felling a tree that for whatever reason needs to go.

The Secret Life of Plants

'The Secret Life of Plants' explores some of the latest and most remarkable discoveries about the inner workings of plants. How do plants tell the time? How and why do plants communicate with one another? Did you know that some plants can generate enough heat to melt snow, whilst others nourish their young?

These and other extraordinary stories from the secret life of plants makes for a fascinating talk that will enhance your enjoyment of the plants in your garden and in the wider countryside.

The Art of Botany - available Spring 2025

A richly illustrated journey through the depiction of plants in art, from the earliest wall paintings found in Egyptian pyramids, through Roman mosaics and Medieval art, to the genius of the Renaissance and the European ‘Golden Age’ and the supreme achievements of Far Eastern art in China and Japan, right up to the modern era.



Botanical art has served as embellishment and decoration, a public statement of wealth and power and a scientific record of Earth’s abundant natural heritage. This talk covers millennia of human history and travels across continents in a celebration of arguably one of the most approachable and easily enjoyed branches of art

Closer to Nature: a wilder garden

The UK is one of the most nature-poor countries in the world. We increasingly hear about large scale ‘re-wilding’ projects which aim to reverse this depressing trend, but what can we do, literally in our own backyards, to help nature survive and recover?

This talk takes us on a whistle-stop tour, looking at the state of nature both at the widest global levels through to our immediate East Anglian neighbourhood. We then go on to look at how we could manage our gardens to give back space for nature and repair our broken relationship with the natural world.

More than a simple look at ‘gardening for wildlife’ this talk takes a profound and at time philosophical view of humanity’s changing role in the life history of our uniquely precious planet.

...just to say what a really good meeting it was last night…amazing speaker …no notes, no ums or ahs, so clear in all he said. Even someone like myself with only basic school science could understand what he was saying! (Girton Gardening Club December 2023)

Dear Jim, a belated thank you for the most interesting talk which you gave The Little Paxton Garden Club on 3rd April (2023). So much to absorb and so much to continue learning about. We would appreciate it if you would consider returning to the club next year to give a talk on 'Climate Change'

We very much enjoyed your talk to us earlier this year on Trees for all Seasons. We met this week to sort out our programme for Autumn/Winter 2023-24. We’d like to invite you back and wondered if you could come to us on April 16^th 2024 to talk about The Secret Life of Plants? (May 2023)

Your talk was very much enjoyed on Saturday – not least because it was different from the usual planning, planting, pruning etc. talks we have. The hidden lives of plants {sic} were certainly fascinating. (East Anglian Gardeners Group October 2023)

Jim, many thanks for giving us such an interesting talk on the way climate change is beginning to have a considerable effect on British gardens.  You gave us some very practical suggestions on ways to adapt to possibly more Mediterranean conditions.

 A most enjoyable evening.

We look forward to seeing you again in April 2024. (Hethersett Garden Club, October 2023)