Kenneth Cox, Lectures
Kenneth Cox, Lectures
Kenneth Cox is one of the UK's most experienced and entertaining lecturers on rhododendrons, woodland gardening, Scottish horticulture and plant exploration. He can give lectures in English, Spanish, Italian or French.
He has lectured throughout the UK, many part of Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Recently talks have been given at literary festivals, botanical gardens, specialist societies as well as The Royal Scottish Geographical Society and Royal Society for Asiatic Affairs.
All Kenneth's Talks last around 1 hour, and are illustrated with powerpoint. They are suitable for specialist and general audiences alike. For his talks, Kenneth requires:
- A well blacked-out room,
- Digital projector and laptop, with remote for changing the pictures. A large room may require a microphone.
- The largest, widest screen available. A double sheet on a wall, well-stretched can make an acceptable screen. A small screen will do, but the impact of the spectacular photography will be reduced.
Kenneth usually sells his books to accompany his lectures. Charges for lectures depend on distances travelled, size of audience and potential for book sales.
Email to kencox@glendoick.com for more information.
Lecture Payments must be made by cheque or bank transfer. An invoice can be sent on request. Banks details will be supplied on request for electronic payments. Payments to be made to Kenneth Cox, Glendoick House, Perth, PH2 7NS.
NOTE For payments of less than £100 lectures should be paid into Kennth Cox's bank account or by cheque or cash on the night please. Some organisations have demanded lengthy form filling to recover small amounts of money. Life is too short for this!
Ken Cox Lectures
2023
Kells Bay , Kerry, Ireland September 2023
Kenneth Cox, List of Lecture Topics
Woodland Gardening 
Kenneth Cox presents his most popular and spectacular talk, a 1 hour visual feast on his 2018 publication Woodland Gardening,
Winner of European Gardening Book of the Year 2019.
The talk covers the history and evolution of the woodland gardening style from China and Japan to Europe and around the world. It covers many inspiring woodland gardens and the gardeners who made them, garden large and small, from Australia, New Zealand to North America and Japan to Britain, France and Italy. The talk includes advice on designing, managing and restoring woodland gardens and selecting plants for them. Talks can be tailored to a gardening or general interest audience. An extended two part (2 x 45 mins) presentation can be given which covers more practical advice on how to grow acid-loving plants.
Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland 2nd edition 2018
Winner UK Practical Gardening Book of the Year 2011
This talk accompanies my latest book written with Caroline Beaton. The book is a practical contemporary guide to growing fruit, vegetables and herbs in Scotland covering the best techniques for growing produce, whether in a garden, allotment, patio or window box.
Scotland's farmers, growers, plant breeders, show growers, head gardeners and keen amateurs have shared their wisdom, knowledge and experience with the authors, revealing how from Shetland to Galloway local conditions affect what to grow and how to best to achieve great results.
The lavishly illustrated lecture covers history, politics, diet and sound advice from gardeners all over Scotland from Shetland to the Scottish Borders. Some of the many topics covered include.
- Scotland's world-important role in breeding potatoes, blackcurrants and blackberries.
- Great fruit for Scotland: Why not try growing saskatoons or chokeberries.
- How do I grow vegetables on a windswept bog in Lewis or Shetland?
- It it worth trying to grow kiwis, grapes and apricots in Scotland?
- What is the story behind the Tayberry?
- How did Scotland lead to world in 19th century glasshouse building?
- Why is the Scottish diet so poor and what can we do about it?
- Organic Gardening, a panacea or waste of time?
Scotland's Finest Gardens
Scotland for Gardeners (Birlinn 2009) 2nd Edition 2014
Winner UK Inspirational Gardening Book of the Year 2009
Including descriptions of virtually all Scotland's gardens which are open to the public, as well as nurseries and garden centres, Scotland for Gardeners is the largest survey of Scottish gardens ever published and the first gazetteer to all that Scotland can offer garden and plant lovers. Arranged by geographical area, it also includes an introduction to the history of gardening in Scotland, maps, key information on each entry and lavish colour photographs by internationally renowned garden photographer Ray Cox. This is the ideal book for the Scot or the tourist who wishes to explore the world of gardens and plants in Scotland. The talk includes Ray Cox's stunning garden and plant photographs of the best of Scotland's gardens 12 months of the year and includes some rarely seen before. As well as garden, specialist nurseries, wildflower walks and the best woodlands are covered. Subject include woodland gardens, walled gardens, formal gardens, botanic gardens and the greening of the avant garde.
An Audio-visual delight. Ken brings the beauty, splendour and historic interest of the Scottish gardens to life. From Monastic gardens of the middle ages, to cutting edge contemporary landscaping. Ken offers encyclopedic knowledge and entertainment. His sometimes out-spoken, authoritative, information-packed talks are illustrated by photographs from Ken's brother garden photographer Ray Cox. Ken is always delighted to take part in festivals large and small as well as offer lectures to horticultural societies and organisations.
Gardens covered include Logan, Portmore, Crathes, Drum, Dunbeath, Shepherd House, Cambo, Inverewe, Little Sparta, Garden of Cosmic Speculation, Glendoick, Crarae, Castle Kennedy, RBG Edinburgh, Edzel Castle.
There are two version of this talk. The original lecture covers 500 years of history. A new version concentrates on the new gardens from the last 5 years so is ideal for those who have already seen and enjoyed the original lecture. A 3rd version on Scotland's Walled Gardens is also available.
Garden Plants for Scotland
2nd Edition April 2015
The Book From Lerwick to Logan and from Berwick to Kintyre, this is the book for all of Scotlands' gardeners. Covering trees, conifers, fruit, shrubs, perennials, bamboos, grasses, herbs and hedging, this book is a one-volume guide for Scottish gardeners, both experienced and beginners. Authors Kenneth Cox & Raoul Curtis Machin are not afraid to say what they think. With help from most of Scotland's leading horticultural gurus and gardeners, they have scoured the country evaluating what does well where and why. Introductory chapters cover hardiness, drainage, wind, soil types, where to buy plants and coping with common pests and diseases. The main section covers 1000s of plants including many new ones only just reaching the market. Specialist and mail order Scottish nurseries are mentioned within plant entries to aid the sourcing of Scottish-grown plants.
This is the books which does for Scottish Gardening what The Beechgrove Garden has done on television. It is where the gardener in Stranrar, Lerwick or Kinguissie can turn to for information in selecting plants. Standard gardening books, excellent though many of them are, have a major failing as far as gardening in Scotland is concerned. Almost without exception these books recommend plants which do not succeed in Scottish conditions. The Royal Horticultural Society use an inadaquete hardiness rating system of little or no use in Scotland.This lack of reliable information for Scottish gardeners leads to confusion and disappointment. The Scottish Gardenplant award and the new extended hardiness ratings addresses these issues.
This book has become the reference book which gardeners in Scotland turn to to choose the best plants for their conditions.
The lecture explains how we got the information and what we learned: On hardiness, climate, why some plants wont flower or grow well in Scotland. On shelter, drainage, climate change, on what really does well in Scotland and why. Its not all serious either. Ken has some fun with some of his most hated plants too! More details on Garden Plants for Scotland
Rhododendrons and Azaleas on 4 Continents
Author of 6 books on the subject, Kenneth Cox probably knows as much about rhododendrons and azaleas as anyone else on Planet Earth (except perhaps his father).
If you think you know rhododendrons... think again.
This lavishly illustrated talk covers the huge range of species and hybrids available and takes the audience on a short tour of their wild habitats in Tibet and the Himalaya as well as cultivation of rhododendrons in garden, greenhouse and in containers, and gardening styles associated with rhododendrons. Ken's travels have taken him to every corner of the globe. From Tasmania to Tokyo and Scotland to Seattle, see the best examples of rhododendron gardening.
Stunning plant portraits include hillsides of rhododendron species in the wild in the Himalaya, as well as some of the many new rhododendron and azaleas hybrids he has created at Glendoick.
Frank Kingdon Ward's Riddle of the Tsangpo Gorges
Edited Kenneth Cox![]()
This is a spectacular adventure into a little-known, inaccessible area of Himalayan south east Tibet. Following in the footsteps of Frank Kingdon Ward's 1925 expeditions, the talk is based on Kenneth Cox's journeys in June 1995. June 1996 and June 1997. The talk includes wonderful pictures of landscapes, people, and Tibetan monasteries as well as Rhododendrons, Primula, Meconopsis, Lilium etc etc and describes the
discovery of a new 100ft waterfall in the Tsangpo Gorges. A feast for armchair explorers, history lovers and gardeners.
A new edition of the plant-hunter's classic. 100s of colour and black & white photographs. 2nd Edition Spring 2008. A new chapter covers
conservation issues.
‘The value of the text is increased tenfold by the generous illustrations. So reluctant was I to finish the book that I rationed myself to a few pages a night; I can offer no greater praise than this.’ Roy Lancaster,
Scotland's Greatest Plant Hunter: George Forrest & Caerhays The 100 year Legacy
George Forrest was Scotland's greatest Plant Hunter and Explorer in China from 1904 to 1932.
He discovered and collected hundreds of new plants, birds, butterflies and mammals and having escaped death at the hands of Tibetan monks in 1904 he died in China on his last expedition in the 1930s.
Almost every Scottish Garden contains plants which Forrest discovered or introduced: gentians, pieris, rhododendrons, Magnolia, Camellia and many more.
Kenneth Cox gave this lecture in April 2011 at Caerhays, Cornwall to celebrate the 100th anniversay of Caerhays owner J.C. Williams' hiring of Forest to collect plants in China. J. C Williams sponsored all Forrest's remaining expeditions. Kenneth has been to many of the places in China that Forrest visited and will show these with spectacular pictures. The talk also features archive material including Forrest's letters.
A combination of biography, plant hunting, dear death experiences, stunning plants and some new research.
Glendoick 100 Years 1919-2019
When Euan Cox accepted the invitation to go plant hunting in Burma with Reginald Farrer in 1919, the Cox rhododendron story began. Euan brought seeds back to Glendoick and the woodland garden was created in the 1920s
This talk covers the development of the gardens at Glendoick and alongside them, the specialist rhododendron and azalea nursery, founded in 1953.
Peter and Kenneth Cox are the UK's major rhododendron breeders and the talk covers the rhododendron and azalea hybrids raised at Glendoick, including the birds series of dwarf rhododendrons and the more recent work on cultivars with coloured foliage.
Peter and Kenneth Cox made over 30 expeditions to China and the Himalaya and the talk coveres some of their plant hunting adventures and the best plants introduced from their travels.
The talk includes stunning photos and video of the gardens at Glendoick.
A glossy paperback booklet, Glendoick Centenary, accompanies the talk and is available for purchase.
Past Lectures
Ken Cox Past Lectures
2014
March 2014 National Library of Scotland Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland
April 2014 Kilgraston School Perth Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland
April 2014 Brittany, France (en Frances)
May 23rd 2014 Bruns Landscape Symposium, Germany
May 31st Gardening Scotland, Edinburgh, RHS tent
June 21st Scottish Allotment Association Conference, Stirling Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland
Friday 5th September Nairn Book Festival Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland
Friday 10th October Blairgowrie Book Festival
24th November Colington Gardening Club, Edinburgh Scotland for Gardeners
11th December 2pm Kinross Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland
2015
January Abernethy Gardening Club
May 2015 Vancouver and Victoria BC, Canada.
28th August 2015 St Andrews University.
20th September 2015 Mount Stewart, Northern Ireland.
3rd October 2015 Blairgrowrie Book festival.
2016
7th May 2016 Garden Praxis, Munich, Germany.
Sept 2016 Murabila di Luca, Italy (en italiano)
2017
November 17th-19th Drogheda Alpine Garden Soc conference
2018
March 9th 2018 Trellis Conference, Perth PH2 7NS Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland
April 21st Mount Stewart, Co Down, I Ireland Indentifying Rhododendron Species workshop.
16th May 2018 Book Launch Woodland Gardening, Glendoick Garden Centre 6.30pm
Mon 21st-Friday 25th May Bremen ARS conference Europe book launch, Woodland Gardening
Friday 1st June 2018 Gardening Scotland. Scottish Launch Woodland Gardening
Sat 28th July 2.30pm Woodland Gardening Bookmark, Blairgowrie, Perth St. Catherine’s Centre, George Street, Blair PH10 6EY
Sat 8th September 2018 Woodland Gardening Kells Bay, Kerry
October 2nd 2018 Woodland Gardening, The Caley Lecture Series, RBGE Edinburgh 7.30pm.
6th October 2018 Woodland Gardening Scottish Rhododendron Society
26-27th October 2018 Woodland Gardening Rosemoor, Devon, RCMG Group
10th November 10th 2018 2.30 p.m. Malone Presbyterian Church Hall, Belfast Woodland Gardening
26th November 2018 Kew Mutual Improvement Society (KMIS), Kew Gardens, London Woodland Gardening
2019
Thurs 14th February 11am Woodland Gardening Winter Words, Pitlochry (T
Feb 21st Bucklyvie, Stirling 7.30pm Woodland Gardening,
March 5th Trellis Conference, Perth Garden Plants for Scotland
March 13th, 14th 2019 Cornwall Garden Society Woodland Gardening
Tuesday 12th March 7.30pm. Alverton Truro TR1 1ZQ
Wednesday 13th March 2pm St Mellion Saltash PL12 6SD
http://www.cornwallgardensociety.org.uk/events
27th April 2019 Woodland Gardening Exbury Gardens, New Forest
Sweden Lecture Tour May 2019. Swedish Rhododendron Society
23rd May Stockholm, Sweden
24th May Göteborg, Sweden.
25th May Lund 13.00h
10th July Orkney Garden Festival
Tue July 9th 15:00 · St Magnus Centre · Kirkwall
Wed July 10th 19:00 · St Magnus Centre · Kirkwall
Castle Howard, Yorkshire, 12th September 2019 7.30pm Woodland Gardening
Badendoch Gardening Society, Milngavie, October 1st 2019 7.30 Woodland Gardening
Cruikshank, Aberdeen 12th December 2019 Woodland Gardening
2022
Cruikshank Botanic Garden, Aberdeen 18th May 7.30pm 100 Years of Glendoick
Gotenburg, Sweden 28th May Gotenburg Botanic Gardens 100 Years of Glendoick
Carlow Garden Festival Ireland Say 30th July 2022 Woodland Gardening
2020, 21 Cancelled or moved online
20th February 2020 Birnham Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland.
10th March 2019 Letham Gardening Society, Angus Garden Plants for Scotland.
28th March Lakeland Hort Society Woodland Gardening.
28 April 2019 Heronswood Gardens, WA, USA Woodland Gardening Workshop POSTPONED
ARS 75th Anniversary Convention, Apr. 30 - May 3, 2020, Portland, Oregon. MOVED TO 2022
GLendoick 100 years, Woodland Gardening
4th May Hardy Plant Group Vancouver BC Canada Woodland Gardening CANCELLED
5th May ARS Victoria Woodland Gardening CANCELLED
1st August 2020 Carlow Garden Festival, Ireland Woodland Gardening
15th October 2020 AGS Dublin. Woodland Gardening
3rd November |Friends St Andrews Botanic garden Woodland Gardening
2021
June 1-5 Nova Scotia, Canada, ARS Convention
