Down to earth women

Jun 24 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE role that women play in horticulture is being put under the microscope at a unique conference at Perth College on Friday, June 27.

“Promoting Women in Horticulture” is free to the public and will feature experts looking at subjects as diverse as the use of plants in folklore and the genetic processes behind the way flowers appear.

They include Dr Beverley Glover of Cambridge University, who will explain the science behind the formation and development of flowers, and local nursery owner Margaret Lear who in “Women, Weeds and Witchery”, will examine the ways in which plants have been used for a variety of purposes throughout history.

The full programme is as follows:

Take a Pride in Perthshire — Euna Scott of Perth and Kinross Council

The making of Branklyn Gardens (created by Dorothy Renton) — Steve MacNamara, head gardener at Branklyn Gardens

The science of flower form — Dr Beverley Glover, Cambridge University

Women, Weeds and Witchery — Margaret Lear, owner of Plants with Purpose nursery

Opportunities for training in horticulture — Mary Mitchell of LANTRA, skills council for the land and environment.

To take part in the free conference register from 9 to 9.30am.