Gardeners Update - April 2008

Joyce has got our year off to a great start with wonderful speakers inboth February and March.

In February we looked at beautiful slides and listened to Mrs Houghton talking about planting for late summer interest. The slides were taken of her own garden, which had been developed from nothing, but in a very short space of time was a riot of colour with lots to take the eye, including a beach area and a golfing space for her husband! She was an extremely knowledgeable gardener but spoke very interestingly about all that they had achieved.

March brought Mr Hitchcock to speak about 'Songbird' Aquilegias from the USA. Whilst we learnt about the origins of them and how they were named, Mr Hitchcock also regaled wonderful stories about preparing for exhibiting at Chelsea, where he has won numerous gold medals. He brought some beautiful plants for members to purchase and I think everyone agreed he was certainly one of the best speakers we have had for a long time. If you were not there, you certainly missed a treat.

By the time you read this article our Spring Show on 5 April will have come and gone - I do hope that the awful weather will not have ruined too many entries and that it will have been a great success. Details of all the trophy winners will appear in the next update.

Christine is busily putting the finishing touches to our Summer Visits although I believe a trip to the Trial Grounds at Sutton Seeds has already been booked.

Our next meeting is on 9 April when Mr Stuckey will be Making and Planting Alpine Troughs. New members are always very welcome to join us.

Judith Major (Secretary)
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