You are here: Shows & Events | Club Events | 2024 |  2024 Scottish Autumn Show  | 2023 | 2022 | 2021

We are delighted to advise that in addition to a competitive show at the Autumn Show in Livingston we will also have, in a separate hall, a series of talks and workshops that will cater both for the ardent alpine gardener as well as those with a broad interest in gardening and plants.

Our headline speaker at the event is Margaret Thorne the well-known field botanist, plant-hunter and lecturer, and an authority on the floras of Greece and the Himalayas, especially the genus Meconopsis. Margaret will be kicking off the day’s lecture programme with a talk on plant-hunting in Greece. This will then be followed by a series of short 15 minute talks by a diverse range of interesting speakers .We will also have a workshop on how one can create a stunning miniature alpine garden in an old fish-box, something that can fit into even the smallest garden or even a balcony!

The program of talks and demonstrations for the day will be as follows:

10am-10.40am  Talk:  "Plant hunting in Greece" with Margaret Thorne.  

Margaret is the well-known field botanist, plant-hunter and lecturer. She is an authority on the floras of Greece and the Himalayas, especially the genus Meconopsis, and will talk about plant-hunting in Greece.

11am-11.15am  Talk:  "The Status & Distribution of Scotland's native Alpines"

Matt Harding, Scotland Officer, Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) will talk about Scotland's native flora.

12noon-12.40am  Workshop:  "How to turn a fishbox into a convincingly planted alpine trough"  

Carole Bainbridge, of Greenscene Garden Design and past president of the Scottish Rock Garden Club will show us how to plant an alpine trough.

10am-10.40am  Family Event:  "The Weird and Wacky World of Plants"

Professor Herbie Flowers, Cerritulus University

1.30pm-1.45pm  Talk:  "Fifty shades of Blue? The genus Meconopsis" with Margaret Thorne.  

Margaret returns to introduce us to the diverse world of the fabled Blue Poppy.

2pm-2.15pm  Talk:  "Scotland’s Heritage Apples" with Colin Wren.  

Colin, Gardens and Designed Landscapes Manager, National Trust for Scotland will talk on Scottish apples and there will be an apple display and identification service available.

2.30pm-2.45pm  Talk:  "Creating a Community Garden in Murieston" with Janey Craigean.  

Janey is Chair of Murieston Community Garden in Livingston.

3pm-3.15pm  Talk:  "The Caley" with Pam Whittle.  

Pam is Past President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society.

As well as our usual classes for SRGC members, we have classes where the general public can bring plants to exhibit - see here for the Show Schedule of Classes. We wish to encourage participation by everyone who attends the Show.

8am-9.15am Show hall open for staging of plants.

9.30-11am Show closed for Judging.

11am (approx) Show open to the public

3.15pm Presentation of Prizes

3.30pm Show closes

You can click on the following link to view the Schedule of Classes for exhibitors and also the Show Rules.

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Plants and bulbs can be purchased at the event, or larger orders can be pre-ordered for collection.  The nurseries attending will be the following:

Ardfearn 

Kevock Garden Plants

Members 50:50 Plant Stall.  

Please bring your spare plants and seedlings for sale (these can be on a 50:50 basis with you retaining half the proceeds and the other half donated to help pay for the cost of running this event.

Several other organisations will be attending and provide information to visitors:

National Trust for Scotland  will have an Apple Identification table with other information.

Other organisations will also be attending.

This event is run by volunteer members.  Please help us by assisting with teas, running the members plant stall, and general administration at the show.  It is a great way of getting to know Club members and becoming involved.  Contact Dave Millward on 01786 824064.