Getting to know the conifers

In winter, when there are very few flowers around and most of our native plants have lost their leaves, it is a wonderful opportunity to focus our attention on the conifers – most of which are evergreen and still bear cones.  The British flora is remarkably poor in diversity of native conifers, but many introduced species form a major feature in our landscape.  And here in the Botanic Gardens at Cambridge we are fortunate to have the opportunity to study a fine collection of this magnificent group of trees.

This course is suitable for beginners, including more experienced botanists who have not yet tackled conifers (or tried and failed!) and all those who love trees.

Ros Bennett is a freelance botanist and ecologist whose work has taken her to many parts of the globe.  Her expertise lies principally in the native floras of Europe.   She runs plant taxonomy courses for professionals and amateurs in many branches of botany.  Her regular clientele includes professional ecologists, amateur naturalists, ethnobotanists, postgraduate students and trainee gardeners.   She works on behalf of many organisations – in particular the Field Studies Council, Kent Wildlife Trust, various ecological consultancies and universities (most recently – Birmingham, Kent, Manchester Metropolitan and Cambridge).