Kenneth Cox, Lectures 

Born in 1964 into a family of renowned plantsmen, Kenneth Cox is grandson of planthunter, writer and nurseryman Euan Cox and son of Peter Cox VMH. The three generations were and are considered  the world's leading experts on rhododendrons. Kenneth, himself a nurseryman and author of numerous books on rhododendrons, has carved out his particular niche in the world of plant-hunting in leading 9 expeditions to China, South and South-East Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh, India, 1995-2013. He graduated in 1986 at the University of Birmingham, England with a BA in General Arts and a diploma in commerce.

Kenneth Cox is an experienced lecturer on rhododendrons, horticulture and exploration and has lectured throughout the UK, many part of Europe, North America, 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.

Kenneth is managing director of the family firm Glendoick Gardens Ltd in Scotland, a garden centre and mail order nursery specialising in Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Ericaceous plants, Meconopsis, Primula and other plants collected by the Cox family around the world. Kenneth is married with two sons and alongside horticulture runs a busy musical career song writing and playing live.

Ken was on the National Trust for Scotland Garden advisory panel (till they foolishly abolished it as we tended to point out their foibles), sits on the board of Scotland's therapeutic gardening charity Trellis, and is a patron of Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden in Tasmania and Blairgowrie's Bookmark Book Festival.

Ken's last 3 books have won UK or European Gardening books of the year. He has the gold medal from the American Rhododendron Society, The Scottish Horticultural Medal (awarded to the 50 leading living Scottish Horticulturalists), and the Loder Cup from the Royal Horticultural Society. 

Ken is the author of 12 books: 

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. This version has been delivered to professional gardeners in Cornwall, Harrogate, Wales and USA and Germany.

Lectures on Scotland's Gardens

Author of 3 books on Gardens and Gardening in Scotland, Kenenth Cox can lecture on many aspects of the history and practice of gardening in Scotland

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 several versions of this talk.

Scotland for Gardeners: 500 years of history. Based on the two editions of Ken's book, covering gardens from Orkney and Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway, woodland gardens, walled gardens, rock gardens and examples large and small.

Scotland for Gardeners, Contemporary Garden Design covering the work of Charles Jencks, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Arnie Meynard, Nigel Dunnet, Maggies Centres gardens and lots more. World leading garden design and landscape innovation has taken place in Scotland over the last 50 years.

Scotland's Walled Gardens  The 1000 year history from Monastic gardens, fortified castle gardens to 18th century walled gardens, 19th century greenhouse innnovations and contemporary restorations.  Some of the gardens covered include Edzell Castle, Crathes, Carolside House, Culzean, Inveresk House, Cambo, Portmore, Gordon Castle and the Garden of Cosmic Speculation.

Scotland's Woodland Gardens. Woodland gardens are a style of gardening in which Scotland was a key player. 19th century pinetums such as Dawyck and Ardkinglas are transformed into 20th century woodland gardens packed with the plant riches of China. The legend of Inverewe and the west coast gardens of Crarae and Arduaine contrast with the small scale of Branklyn and the author's own garden at Glendoick.

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?

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

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.

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,

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.