Hello Garden Group members
Hope that this weather is allowing you to get outdoors, either visiting gardens or actually doing some gardening. This extended dry season has certainly meant lots of things are flourishing – both the wanted and unwanted plants are growing fast! I’ve been busy weeding and watering here in Gower in South Wales, but it is a small price to pay for this lovely weather.
I am really excited to have our first events in Scotland – a big thank you to Colin who has put in a lot of work to put together a programme of visits. Please support him if you are living or holidaying in the area. Gratitute also to Dave Archer for his support of garden events.
We are also having our first multi-day Gardens Group event. Many people are prepared to travel long distances to attend our visits, which is great, but others have said that they would come too if there were a series of garden visits over consecutive days. So, in response to this, we have three gardens over two days in Somerset in June. Thank you to Charlie, the local group co-ordinator, for his support and advice in bringing this about. If this proves successful, we may follow up with a three day event later in the year elsewhere.
Looking back, we had a lovely visit to Iford Manor near Bath last week – the wisteria is amazing and the overall gardens have a lot to offer. The home of Harold Peto, renowned garden designer and unmarried gent with exquisite taste, did a fine job there. Lovely café and also a proper restaurant too. Some of us also ventured to a nearby plant nursery for some retail therapy, where we found a good range of plants at reasonable prices. Thank you to Peter B for suggesting Iford Manor.
We have a bumper month coming up in May – seven events, three of which are on 10th May. The first event is this Friday, 1st May at Waterperry nr Oxford, where, amongst other garden delights, there should be more wisteria to enjoy. Huge frescoes are also on display there, along with a fine garden museum, plant centre and of course, cafe!
May 10th is ‘Super Sunday’ where we have visits in Scotland , Wales and England
Later in May we are back in Oxford to visit the Botanic Gardens, then Edinburgh and Wiltshire.
June is equally promising, with a visit to David Austin Roses nr Wolverhampton, NT Barrington Court in Somerset, Abergavenny Open Gardens in South Wales (which includes Chelsea Flower Show's winner Sarah Price's private garden) and finishing off with our Gardens Group Getaway in Somerset.
Late July is of course the Annual Outdoor Gathering near Coventry, and three Garden Group events are now online, though booking does not open until 25th of May. Before that, we’re off to RHS Badminton in the Cotswolds on the 8th and NT Montachute House on the 10th.
What always strikes me on thse events is how quickly people bond, looking at plants and features that make chat flow easily. I hope that you can join us. If there is nothing happening in your area, please consider putting something on. Guidance for organising Garden Group events can be found here.
Happy Gardening/Garden visiting
With best wishes
Neil
Gardens Group Co-Ordinator.
