Learn about the beautifully coloured, fragile rarities that are English Tulips, largely preserved by members of the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society, from Teresa Clements, former Secretary of the society, and now Chair of the RHS Bulbous Plants Committee.

This talk takes place in the Peter Sowerby Building at the Yorkshire Arboretum, but can be streamed via Zoom.

Booking Information

Gardens Talks cost £10 to attend in person or £5 to attend via Zoom. Please book by selecting your preferred option below:

We are very fortunate that the well-known American gardener and author Dan Hinkley will join us from Washington State, to tell us about the beautiful garden he has created at the aptly named Windcliff, and some of the many wonderful plants he grows there. This is not to be missed!

This Garden Talk will be hosted by Zoom. Book your ticket below, providing your name and email address. A link will be issued to you on the day of the event.

This is a fundraising event with contributions funding new planting in the arboretum.

TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Lecturer and creator of Bolton Percy churchyard garden, Roger Brook’s own no-dig garden has 1,500 plant varieties, many rare, providing colour all year round. The garden has numerous features, sweeping views, and holds the National Collection of Dicentra. Horticulturally unorthodox, especially the fruit and vegetables, the overall effect is dramatic.

Open date(s): Sunday 5 and Monday 6 May 12 - 5pm. Other times possible for small groups of 4-8 people by arrangement (roger-brook@live.com). The two open day dates coincide with those of Weathervane House also in Seaton Ross.

Location: Seaton Ross, York YO42 4NF. On the road from Seaton Ross to Melbourne. Leave Seaton Ross and immediately turn left at top (north) of village.

Parking: on road

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

Helen and Colin Crews have a small cottage garden with views across the countryside and attractive mixed borders and a wide range of plants in both sunny and shaded areas. In particular in late spring and early summer there are hellebores, Meconopsis and Iris. There are also raised vegetable plots, a small glasshouse and a fishpond.

Open date(s): Sunday 19 May 10am - 4pm; Sunday 1 September 12 - 5pm.

Location: 4 Sudnicton Croft, Westow, YO60 7NB. In Westow take the road (Main Street) signposted Burythorpe & Church. Before reaching a turning to the Church only, turn left down a gravel track signposted Sudnicton Croft on wall.

Parking: Limited parking near house, otherwise on nearby streets.

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

Bob and Christine Pietrowski have a modest-sized village garden with distant views of the Castle Howard Estate.  It is laid out with lawns, paved areas and formal borders, block planted with herbaceous perennials and roses, which are at their best in the late summer. Pots provide additional colour and interest and house an ever increasing collection of hostas. Four raised beds give space for a few favourite vegetables and annual flowers for cutting.

Open date(s): Sunday 25 August 1 - 6pm

Location: Main Street, Welburn, York YO60 7DZ, opposite the red telephone box

Parking: On street.

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

Alastair Fitter’s long 1 acre garden stretches from Huntington Road to the River Foss. There are perennials, alpines, a peat-free ‘peat’ garden, a woodland garden, a traditional orchard with 85 year old trees mixed with more recently planted specimen trees and shrubs, a meadow with fritillaries in spring and orchids in summer, and wet woodland by the river with oxlips in spring and a large new pond. There are more than 1,000 species of plant in the garden, including 250 natives.

Open date(s): Sunday 12 May 11am - 5pm; Sunday 14 July 1 - 5pm. Visits at other times by arrangement (alastairfitter@btinternet.com).

Location: 533 Huntington Road, York YO32 9PY. 200m north of Huntington School.

Parking: On nearby side streets (Burn Estate, Arbor Close).

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

A new addition to the scheme for 2019. A white themed knot garden, wide herbaceous borders punctuated by a range of grasses and a baker’s dozen of yew shapes are just some of this gardens must-sees. There are field maple pyramids lining the drive, wildflower meadows and a small lake. A Victorian greenhouse is currently under construction scheduled for completion by Easter, and a rose pergola covered in an array of scented flowers make this garden a sensory delight.

Open date(s): Sunday 7 July 1 - 4pm

Location: Havoc Hall, York YO62 5XY

Parking: In field.

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

2 acre garden situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds comprising of a walled garden with mixed borders, numerous old shrub roses under planted with unusual perennials. Woodland paths lead to further shrub borders. A traditional vegetable garden framed by a Victorian greenhouse leads to a wild flower meadow.

Open date(s): Sunday 16 June 1 - 5pm

Location: Jackson’s Wold, Sherburn YO17 8QJ

Parking: On grass outside garden

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

A new addition to the Open Gardens Scheme, generously opened by shelled artist interior design Linda Fenwick and her husband James. Features include four recently redesigned mixed borders, vegetable garden and a stunning shell house designed and made by Linda herself.

Open date(s): Sunday 9 June 11am - 3pm

Location: Terrington House, Terrington YO60 6PU

Parking: In the paddock, just off the road - signage to guide cars.

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

We are delighted to welcome back Skipwith Hall to our programme this year. The 4-acre walled garden of Charles and Rosalind Forbes Adam’s Queen Anne home (not open). This stunning garden features extensive mixed borders and lawns, and walled areas by renowned designer Cecil Pinsent. Recreated working kitchen garden with 15’ beech hedge, pleached fruit walks, herb maze and pool. Woodland with specimen trees and shell house. Decorative orchard with espaliered and fan-trained fruit on walls. Italian Garden recently restored.

Open date(s): Tuesday 4 June 10am - 4pm

Location: Skipwith Selby YO8 5SQ. On Main Street, just east of St. Helen’s church.

Parking: In field.

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

As part of our annual Open Gardens Scheme, we are holding our Members’ Plant Sale at the Yorkshire Arboretum, with proceeds funding new planting in the grounds.

Standard admission applies. Entry to plant sale is free.

Open Gardens ticket prices: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Dot and John welcome you to explore their formal(ish) front garden, more informal back garden and orchard. There’s a good variety of interesting plants in beds range from hot and dry to cool and damp, plus a small open meadow, a large orchard meadow, and a new pond. Large parts of the garden are managed to be wildlife-friendly. For those who have been before, one of the beds at the back of the house has been re-organised and re-planted with shade-loving plants.

Open date(s): Sunday 26 May 10.30am - 5pm

Location: Holburns Croft, Heslington, York YO10 5DP. From Heslington Hall west towards Fulford. Holburns Croft is second on the left after Main Street.

Parking: On the house drive or, if full, on road

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

Helen and Colin Crews have a small cottage garden with views across the countryside and attractive mixed borders and a wide range of plants in both sunny and shaded areas. In particular in late spring and early summer there are hellebores, Meconopsis and Iris. There are also raised vegetable plots, a small glasshouse and a fishpond.

Open date(s): Sunday 19 May 10am - 4pm; Sunday 2 September 12 - 5pm.

Location: 4 Sudnicton Croft, Westow, YO60 7NB. In Westow take the road (Main Street) signposted Burythorpe & Church. Before reaching a turning to the Church only, turn left down a gravel track signposted Sudnicton Croft on wall.

Parking: Limited parking near house, otherwise on nearby streets.

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

Alastair Fitter’s long 1 acre garden stretches from Huntington Road to the River Foss. There are perennials, alpines, a peat-free ‘peat’ garden, a woodland garden, a traditional orchard with 85 year old trees mixed with more recently planted specimen trees and shrubs, a meadow with fritillaries in spring and orchids in summer, and wet woodland by the river with oxlips in spring and a large new pond. There are more than 1,000 species of plant in the garden, including 250 natives.

Open date(s): Sunday 12 May 11am - 5pm; Sunday 14 July 1 - 5pm. Visits at other times by arrangement (alastairfitter@btinternet.com).

Location: 533 Huntington Road, York YO32 9PY. 200m north of Huntington School.

Parking: On nearby side streets (Burn Estate, Arbor Close).

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Book now or pay on the day.

In this day course with director and expert plantsman Dr John Grimshaw, we will discuss the great diversity of the genus Rhododendron, its place in the collection and how to identify species.

John will also advise on the best conditions for planting, cultivating and caring for them.

Light lunch and refreshments are included. 10% discount is available for RHS members.

This course is now fully booked.

Peter & Julie Williams' large woodland garden with acid loving plants including rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and other interesting shrubs. Spring bulbs including trilliums, flowering trees and shade tolerant herbaceous perennials. Well-stocked glasshouse and large polytunnel with wide range of plants propagated from seeds, cuttings and grafting. Meadow area and woodland home to owls, goldcrests and sparrow hawks.

Open date(s): Sunday 5 and Monday 6 May 12 - 5pm. Other times possible for small groups of 4-8 people by arrangement (peteandjuliew@gmail.com)

Location: Mill Lane, Seaton Ross, York, YO42 4NE. Sixth property on the left after entering the village from the north (via Bielby or Melbourne)

Parking: On road unless signed otherwise

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Booking required. Book online, call 01653 648598 or email enquiries@yorkshirearboretum.org

Lecturer and creator of Bolton Percy churchyard garden, Roger Brook’s own no-dig garden has 1,500 plant varieties, many rare, providing colour all year round. The garden has numerous features, sweeping views, and holds the National Collection of Dicentra. Horticulturally unorthodox, especially the fruit and vegetables, the overall effect is dramatic.

Open date(s): Sunday 5 and Monday 6 May 12 - 5pm. Other times possible for small groups of 4-8 people by arrangement (roger-brook@live.com). The two open day dates coincide with those of Weathervane House also in Seaton Ross.

Location: Seaton Ross, York YO42 4NF. On the road from Seaton Ross to Melbourne. Leave Seaton Ross and immediately turn left at top (north) of village.

Parking: on road

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Booking required. Book online, call 01653 648598 or email enquiries@yorkshirearboretum.org

Lecturer and creator of Bolton Percy churchyard garden, Roger Brook’s own no-dig garden has 1,500 plant varieties, many rare, providing colour all year round. The garden has numerous features, sweeping views, and holds the National Collection of Dicentra. Horticulturally unorthodox, especially the fruit and vegetables, the overall effect is dramatic.

Open date(s): Sunday 5 and Monday 6 May 12 - 5pm. Other times possible for small groups of 4-8 people by arrangement (roger-brook@live.com). The two open day dates coincide with those of Weathervane House also in Seaton Ross.

Location: Seaton Ross, York YO42 4NF. On the road from Seaton Ross to Melbourne. Leave Seaton Ross and immediately turn left at top (north) of village.

Parking: on road

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Booking required. Book online, call 01653 648598 or email enquiries@yorkshirearboretum.org

Peter & Julie Williams' large woodland garden with acid loving plants including rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and other interesting shrubs. Spring bulbs including trilliums, flowering trees and shade tolerant herbaceous perennials. Well-stocked glasshouse and large polytunnel with wide range of plants propagated from seeds, cuttings and grafting. Meadow area and woodland home to owls, goldcrests and sparrow hawks.

Open date(s): Sunday 5 and Monday 6 May 12 - 5pm. Other times possible for small groups of 4-8 people by arrangement (peteandjuliew@gmail.com)

Location: Mill Lane, Seaton Ross, York, YO42 4NE. Sixth property on the left after entering the village from the north (via Bielby or Melbourne)

Parking: On road unless signed otherwise

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Booking required. Book online, call 01653 648598 or email enquiries@yorkshirearboretum.org

The first garden open on behalf of the Yorkshire Arboretum in 2019. Win and James Baldwin’s 1 ¾ acre garden is packed with spring interest, including hellebores, narcissi, fritillaries, trilliums, early paeonies, and other early gems.

Open date(s): Saturday 27 April, 1.30 - 4.30pm

Location: Friars Hill, Sinnington, YO62 6SL

Parking: on road or village green with short walk to Friars Hill

Cost: Season Ticket £20, Day Ticket £5.

Booking required. Pay online, call 01653 648598 or email enquiries@yorkshirearboretum.org

Combined with a unique display of artworks from the 16th-21st centuries, our Director John Grimshaw shows how botanical art and reproduction methods have evolved over time.

Complimentary tea and coffee from 7:15. Talk starts at 7:30pm. 

Free but donations welcome. 

This event is now fully-booked.

The benefits of urban trees are well known - but which species are most suitable? Henrik Sjöman from Gothenburg Botanic Garden, Sweden, discusses how he is looking for the best to create a diverse and resilient urban forest.

Complimentary tea and coffee from 7:15. Talk starts at 7:30pm. 

Free but donations welcome. 

Booking required please. Please book below, call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

Riz Reyes is a young Filipino-American, making a name for himself in horticulture there. This will be his first UK talk, covering the exciting garden scene in his home city of Seattle.

Complimentary tea and coffee from 7:15. Talk starts at 7:30pm. 

Free but donations welcome. 

Booking required please. Please book below, call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

One of the world's foremost botanists, former Keeper of the Kew Herbarium and Director of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Professor David Mabberley celebrates the participants in Captain Cook's voyage 250 years ago and the great artwork that resulted.

Tea and coffee from 7:15. Talk starts at 7:30pm. 

Tickets £5 per person. 

Booking required please. Please book below, call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

Our members have been busy propagating plants from their own gardens for sale in aid of the Arboretum. Pick up a bargain or maybe a mystery plant! 

All welcome.

Free

(Normal admission applies)

As Chief Plant Health Officer for Defra, Professor Nicola Spence is uniquely well-placed to tell us about the ever-growing threats to our plants from pests and diseases. Be prepared to be terrified!

Complimentary tea and coffee from 7:15. Talk starts at 7:30pm. 

Free but donations welcome. 

Booking required please. Please book below, call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

A botanist, ecologist and gardener from Hexham, Professor John Richards knows the Greek flora intimately, and will take us to see many wonderful plants in beautiful places.

Complimentary tea and coffee from 7:15. Talk starts at 7:30pm. 

Free but donations welcome. 

Booking required please. Please book below, call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

Roger Brooks is a very pragmatic practical gardener with a great blog: nodiggardener.co.uk  In this talk he tells us about gardening for wildlife in two East Yorkshire graveyards.

Complimentary tea and coffee from 7:15. Talk starts at 7:30pm. 

Free but donations welcome. 

Booking required please. Please call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

Hay meadows support plants, animals and vital pollinators but are fast disappearing from our landscape. This study day, run in conjunction with The Yorkshire Wildlife Tust, outlines how to create, manage, enhance and ultimately enjoy and celebrate these fascinating habitats.

Programme for the day

£100 per person

Refreshments and a light lunch included.

Please book below, call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

Our members have been busy propagating plants from their gardens for sale in aid of the arboretum. Pick up a bargain or maybe a mystery plant! All welcome.

Standard admission applies.