From 3 April to 27 June the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh celebrates the legacy of prolific Scots plant collector George Forrest, who introduced many now familiar species of plants to British gardens from the mountains of south-West China. In the Exhibition Hall, the exhibition George Forrest - A Life and Legacy shows a selection of Forrest's own photography, while the Garden Guides are offering daily walking tours exploring Forrest's plant introductions. A new biography of Forrest has also just been published.
In May 1904, Forrest set off on his first trip to Yunnan Province from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), where he worked. In the course of seven expeditions to China and a career spanning 28 years, Forrest collected and sent back to Britain many species unknown to western science and horticulture at that time, including several rhododendrons, primulas, irises, camellias and gentians.
His living legacy is to be seen growing at the National Botanic Gardens of Scotland - Edinburgh, Benmore, Logan and Dawyck. In addition, the archives of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh house thousands of photographs taken by Forrest, and many of his letters and field note books. In the RBGE herbarium, 31,000 or so pressed specimens of Forrest's collections are in safekeeping. They are still valuable to botanists today.
From 3 April to 27 June, Forrest's remarkable life and legacy are celebrated in a unique exhibition of his photographs on show in the Exhibition Hall. Along with a short cine-film shot by Forrest in his later years, many of these pictures have never been seen before.
The Garden Guides lead daily walks at 11am and 2pm, taking a look at the many interesting plants, including some original material. brought back by Forrest. Tickets may be bought at the Shop on the Day and cost £3 (2.50 concessions).
In addition, a new book telling Forrest's remarkable life story is now on sale. George Forrest, Plant Hunter by Brenda McLean is a beautiful hardback volume sumptuously illustrated with contemporary colour photos and archive images. It is published by Antique Collectors' Club in association with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
The book retails at £29.50. However, a special introductory price of £26 plus postage and packing is available for mail orders. Click here to download a PDF file with more information and an order form.
Or read our feature article about Forrest.