Ever wondered how many things are living in your garden? Or what does the world look like to a bee? There is a wealth of diversity in gardens that goes unnoticed, from the important native plants that sneak in as 'weeds' to life at a microscopic scale.  The University of Bristol Botanic Garden will become a living science lab for the day to explore the hidden world of plants.

Take part in a plant hunt in the wild flower meadow with prizes for the most species discovered! Bring in flowers from your own garden to study under UV light and view them through the eyes of a bee. Trek through Bristol's own desert and tropical rainforest to discover the fascinating ways that plants adapt to living successfully in extreme environments. There is much more to plants than meets the eye so join scientists from the University of Bristol Botanic Garden and Biology Department as they reveal the secrets of our gardens.

Join in with celebrations for the International Fascination of Plants Day and enjoy the opportunity to view the Seeds of Change display set amongst the garden’s extensive plant collections.

Dr.Mimi Tanimoto from the UK Plant Sciences Federation, a Special Interest Group of the Society of Biology says: “Plants are fundamental to our existence, providing us with food, fuels, medicines, building materials, fibres and paper. They deliver services such as flood control, and enhance our recreational space, physical and mental health and cultural practices. We want to share the amazing world of plants with a wider audience, and engage in discussions about how plant sciences are helping to address global challenges.

This year also marks an important biological anniversary: the 100^th anniversary of the death of Alfred Russel Wallace, the eminent Victoria naturalist and explorer, who together with Charles Darwin conceived the theory of evolution by natural selection. Largely unknown to the general public, Wallace is also recognised as the ‘father of biogeography’ because of his extensive and insightful studies of the distributions of animals in equatorial regions of the Americas and Asia. His studies of the Malay Archipelago led to the demarcation of the Wallace Line, which divides Indonesia into a western region where animals are of Asian origin, and an eastern region where animals are more like those of Australia.www.wallacefund.info/wallace100.

Cost: Adults £3.50 Children, Friends of the Garden, University staff and students free. No booking required. 0117 331 4906

This event is organised by The Botanic Garden.  This event is open 10 am - 4.30 pm.