Plants with a Purpose

A talk by Beatrice Hale, author of The New Zealand Pleasure Garden (2004). The speaker writes: "I want to explore the myriad purposes of plants- their purposes and our purposes.

 
I want to take you on a personal journey beyond the plants in our gardens to discuss the excitement of their origins, their journeys to New Zealand, and their value to us. The New Zealand Pleasure Garden is about how we can use our plants beyond the usual picking, cooking and potpourri activities. It is about making a garden for all the senses, vision, taste, touch, hearing and fragrance; it is also about what lies beyond. What else can we do with our plants? Touch them and feel their differences. Travel mentally by reading, time travel by looking into histories of plants and explorers. Exploit the beauty and endless fascination of plants to create pictures, jewellery.....
 
I want to explore what plants do for us - the wonder of planting and growing for people with disabilities - for people who are older - for migrants who want reminders of home.....
 
I want to explore the endless possibilities of plants."
 
At the NEW Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street, behind the Zoology car park by the Captain Cook Hotel. Use the main entrance of the Benham Building to get in and go to the Benham Seminar Room, Rm. 215, 2nd floor. Please be prompt as we have to hold the door open.