Discover the stories behind Britain’s gardens with historian Advolly Richmond

Whether you are a seasoned gardener, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys the quiet beauty of a well-tended landscape, this event offers a window into the fascinating intersections of plants, people and society.

Gardens are more than greenery; they are stories written in soil, plants and human hands – and this March 2026, Aylesbury will host a unique opportunity to explore this when plant, garden and social historian Advolly Richmond presents ‘A Quick Introduction to the Plants and People that Influenced Garden History’ at Aylesbury Methodist Church.

From the introduction of exotic species to the evolution of Britain’s garden styles, the plants we nurture and the people who champion them have shaped the landscapes we cherish today.

And on Saturday 14 March 2026 from 2.30pm, Advolly Richmond invites audiences to travel through centuries of garden history, uncovering the individuals whose curiosity, creativity and daring changed the face of gardens forever.

Each plant has a story, each garden a lineage, and each style a reflection of society’s tastes, ambitions and ideas.

Based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Advolly brings a wealth of expertise to this talk. She is a Fellow of the Linnean Society, a Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Champion, and lectures on garden history at the University of Oxford’s Department for Continuing Education.

Her work spans from the social and cultural history of Italian Renaissance gardens to the life and legacy of plant collectors and gardeners who introduced remarkable species to British soil.

Advolly also produces The Garden History Podcast, presents features for BBC Gardeners’ World, and is the author of A Short History of Flowers: The Stories That Make Our Gardens, published in March 2024.

This talk is designed for anyone who has ever paused to admire a garden, wondered about the plants within it, or considered the people who brought those spaces to life.

By understanding the history of gardens, Advolly argues, we gain the knowledge needed to preserve them, ensuring that our parks, cemeteries, historic landscapes and private gardens continue to inspire and nurture future generations.

Tickets are available through Ticketsource, costing £10 for members, £12.50 for non-members.

Concessions apply to members of the Gardens Trust and affiliated county trusts.

Doors open at 2pm for refreshments, and the talk starts promptly at 2.30pm.

Limited blue badge parking is available upon request.

For more information or to book tickets, visit https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/buckinghamshire-gardens-trust.

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