British native flora and folklore for beginners

This one-day, beginner-friendly course offers an accessible introduction to the wild plants of Britain, looking at the botany and folklore of British native flora. The morning will cover the basics of botany and an overview of British flora – how to look closely at plants, recognise key features and understand their place in the landscape. In the afternoon, we’ll explore two native habitats represented in the Garden: fenland and chalk grassland. These contrasting environments provide a living classroom for discovering how plants adapt to different conditions. The day will finish with a look at the traditional uses and folklore of British natives, exploring the context in which these traditions and tales originated.

No prior knowledge of botany is required. The course builds on material covered in the 2025 Wild Garden series of guided walks and would be a perfect next step to develop your botanical knowledge.

Dr Raphaella Hull teaches and writes about plants as Acting Head of Learning and Higher Education Coordinator at the Botanic Garden. She develops and delivers the Garden’s Further and Higher Education programme and oversees the interpretation materials that connect visitors with the plant world. Before this, she completed a PhD on how plants perceive mycorrhizal fungi in soil, with an interest in the evolution of this relationship and its significance in grassland ecosystems.