Who we are

Founded in 1980, the principal aims of the association are to promote and support the development of the Garden's plant collections and amenities.

Fund-raising activities center chiefly on an annual Open Day held at the Botanic Garden, but other events are organised from time to time. As a result a whole range of projects has been funded, including:

• Fibonacci pavements
• New toilet facilities, with disabled access
• Signposts around the Garden
• Computers
• A summerhouse
• Meteorological equipment
• New paths
• Restoration of the Alpine House
• Sponsorship of the Botanic Garden Lecture

How to join

Anyone over the age of 18 may become a member by completing an application form and paying the annual subscription. Subscriptions are normally payable on 1 January each year, but new members may join at any time. Memberships bought from 1 September are valid through to 31 December the following year. Families may subscribe at special rates.

• Download a membership form here
• or pick one up from the Botanic Garden (from the main greenhouse)
• or write to Friends of the Garden, the SEED Store, University of Leicester Botanic Garden, Stoughton Drive South, Oadby, Leics. LE2 2NE

Membership Privileges

Special access to the Garden. Members may visit the garden at times when it is closed to the public.

Meetings (see Programme). Meetings are held every month and comprise an autumn/winter programme of lectures (held on the University campus) and a spring/summer programme of day visits to famous and less well known gardens and nurseries; there are also opportunities from time to time to go on short-break tours to more distant gardens.

Newsletters. Six newsletters are published each year, which contain notices of meetings, news items and articles on plants or features of current interest in the Garden.

Plant exchanges. The Association provides a forum for the free exchange of plants among members.

Opportunities to:

• Train as a guide to take groups around the Garden
• Help at the Botanic Garden Open Day and other events
• Help with various Garden tasks