Capt. Dick Steele Lecture 2025, “Meconopsis and other Himalayan Plants”
Meconopsis is one of the most striking and rare plants that we can grow in Nova Scotia. For the 2025 Dick Steele Lecture, Julia Corden will show us the plants that she has seen in the Himalayas and talk about growing them in our gardens.
Julia Corden is a highly experienced horticultural consultant and botanical/garden tour guide. She has a strong foundation in horticulture, having trained at prestigious institutions like RHS Wisley and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Her experience includes serving as Garden Manager at the Goodwood Estate and for 18 years at The Explorers Garden in Pitlochry, Scotland. During her time at The Explorers Garden, she played a key role in its establishment and the creation of a National Collection of Meconopsis.
Julia’s passion for horticulture extends to botanical exploration. She has led several expeditions to locations such as Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh, India, following in the footsteps of renowned plant hunters like George Sherriff and rediscovering plants not seen in the wild for decades. These expeditions have even led to the discovery of new species, such as Meconopsis ludlowii.
As a botanical and garden tour guide, Julia Corden has a wealth of experience, having led tours to over 25 countries, including Costa Rica, Switzerland, New Zealand, the Falklands, and Newfoundland. She has also led tours for organizations like the North American Rock Garden Society (NARGS), Alpine Garden Society (AGS) and the Scottish Rock Garden Club (SRGC).
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