About the event

Wildflowers are far more than a splash of colour; they provide essential food and habitat for countless insects and other species, underpinning healthy ecosystems. For around 130 million years, flowering plants and pollinators have evolved together in one of nature's most remarkable partnerships, creating the rich web of life that sustains us all.

Join us at Grow Wilder for a half-day workshop exploring how wildflowers can help create richer habitats for pollinators, birds and other wild creatures. Through discussion, practical examples and inspiration from real-life projects, we'll explore the principles behind creating and managing wildflower-rich spaces in a variety of settings, whether in a window box or community garden. Along the way, we'll consider how different habitats support wildlife and how even small interventions can make a meaningful difference for nature.

We'll also take a guided walk around Grow Wilder, an urban nature reserve where food growing, gardening and wildlife habitats exist side by side. As we explore the site, we'll look at key identification features of the wildflowers we spot, the wildlife they attract and some of the approaches used to create and maintain these areas.

You'll leave with fresh ideas, practical inspiration and a deeper understanding of how wildflowers can help transform gardens, community spaces and urban landscapes into thriving and resilient nature havens.

Cake and refreshments will be provided during the session, with plenty of opportunity to chat, share ideas and enjoy the beautiful surroundings at Grow Wilder.

About the Tutor

Led by Alex Dommett – a wildlife advocate with a particular passion for insects, urban ecology and native wildflowers. Over the past five years, Alex has worked in urban nature recovery with Avon Wildlife Trust, supporting communities, local authorities and neighbourhood groups to create more space for nature.

Her work has included delivering training in grassland management, supporting the creation of community wildflower habitats and pollinator corridors, and leading guided walks and workshops that help people discover the wildlife on their doorsteps.

Alex has a particular interest in urban botany, brownfield habitats and ecological planting approaches. She has further developed this interest through training with pioneering ecological gardeners John Little and Jo McKerr.

She continues to care for the same garden that first sparked her love of wildlife as a child, and brings practical experience, local knowledge and enthusiasm to her workshops.

 About Our Work

Avon Wildlife Trust has a vision for region wide community-led action for nature’s recovery; a campaign we call ‘Team Wilder’. The campaign aims to raise understanding about the urgent need for change, and recognizes individuals and communities' own roles in making the urgent and large-scale changes needed to protect nature. 

Here at Grow Wilder we support local people in creating the projects they want to make happen.  Grow Wilder was established in 2012 as an urban growing hub, learning centre, and wildflower nursery. Through habitat & food demonstration sites, learning workshops, and community events, Grow Wilder connects people with nature, aiming to inspire restoration and conservation of natural habitats in Bristol and beyond.

Getting here:  

We actively promote sustainable transport and are well connected to walking, cycling and bus routes. Check out the Frome Valley route from Eastville Park to Snuff Mills and you may spot a kingfisher or otter on your way in. 

By bus: 

M1, M3, M4, 46, 19 and 50. The Metrobus is only 10 mins from the city centre. There are bus stops surrounding the site, all within a moment’s walk to the entrance. 

By car: 

Please no parking onsite- we only have a small carpark which is reserved for works vehicles and people with mobility needs (please let us know if you want to reserve a space). If coming by car, please use Begbrook Social Club which is 50 metres past our entrance (BS16 1HY). 

Our Address: 

Grow Wilder, 181 Frenchay Park Rd, Bristol, BS16 1HB. Please note parking instructions above.

Tickets: Please take a moment to read before selecting your ticket type.

• Solidarity: Pay-it-Forward (£45) Who it’s for: Individuals with expendable income, organisations paying for an employee to attend, those who want to support our organisation, or those who wish to support funding the lower-cost tiers. Example criteria: You can comfortably pay for extras, are in a steady job, have access to savings, and want to support accessibility for others.
• Standard Tier (£35) Who it’s for: Individuals with a steady income who can comfortably meet all of their basic needs. Example criteria: You have some expendable income, are employed.
• Bursary Tier (£15) Who it’s for: Individuals with limited disposable income, those who are unemployed, students, or anyone who would otherwise be unable to afford the product or service. Example criteria: You have no or very limited expendable income, and you struggle to meet basic needs. Two discounted spaces (£15) per course
• Add-on: Wildflower plant bundle (£25)

This workshop is suitable for beginners, gardeners, community groups, employees wanting to develop their knowledge, wildlife enthusiasts and anyone interested in creating more biodiverse spaces for people and nature.

Wildflower Nursery

The Wildflower Nursery helps fund Grow Wilder’s ambitious work, as every purchase helps the team to maintain the site and run events that bring communities together to share the wonder of the natural world. All the plants we grow are of local origin to Bristol, with many of the wildflower seeds being collected directly from Avon Wildlife Trust nature reserves. Find out more here: Grow Wilder