Welcome to the latest edition of ‘Cuttings’ - the Gardens Group periodic newsletter.
I hope that you have been able to enjoy/endure this hot spell – certainly the plants, wanted and unwanted, have thrived here in the Gower Peninsula in South Wales. There have been occasions that we have retreated to the relative cool of indoors but in the main we have made the most of it. Luckily, we have (so far) avoided a hose pipe ban but we’re still being careful with our watering. So much so that we’ve just bought some porous hosepipes to ensure the water we do use goes straight to the roots. At least that is what Monty Don says, so it must be right!
Where have we been?
The Gardens Group had quite a busy time over the past few months. The events to some lovely gardens in Scotland were really enjoyed by the attendees – a big thank you to Colin for putting those on. Here is a link to the report on South Queensferry, most recent one. Gratitude also to David, Dougie and those who attended for their support.
Much much further south, we had a very successful weekend of garden visits in Somerset – Malcolm deserves our thanks for getting the ball rolling there with a trip to the magnificent Hestercombe, created by Gertrude Jekyll & Edwin Lutyens. Talking of whom, delighted to see that the National Trust has recently acquired Gertrudes old home of Munstead Wood in Surrey, so we can look forward to visiting there when it eventually opens. During our weekend in cider country, we also had trips to East Lambrook, Lytes Clary & Tintinull. It was Father’s Day when we visited Tintinull, and the lady on the gate mistook us for a group of daddies out celebrating Father’s Day…we did not enlighten her that she was rather off the mark!
The trip to David Austin Roses near Wolverhampton was really popular, as was the visit to the open gardens at Abergavenny in South Wales, and the event at Elham Open Gardens in Kent also went down well.
A merry bunch attended the first RHS Badminton Show, in the Cotswolds, which was most enjoyable. Although very hot, there was plenty of shade and water stations. The show gardens were stunning and those who attended the talks also found them interesting. Penty of informed discussion about the merits or otherwise of the plants on sale took place, and many purchases were made. As usual, lots of stopping for drinks & sweet things were involved! A most enjoyable day out.
Of course, GOC’s Annual Outdoor Gathering, this year held near Coventry, is the highlight in our calendar. It was a brilliant location, well organised and we were spoilt for choice re places to visit. Along with local co-ordinator, Martin Darby, we had recce’d several gardens last year and then picked the best of the bunch. Or first event of the weekend to NT Hidcote proved really popular on the Friday, with around 70 attendees – lots of hugs greeting those who had not seen each other since last year’s event. Saturday was a double bill with NT Packwood House and NT Baddesley Clinton our destinations, which again went down well. The privately owned Morton Hall, with its very enthusiastic head gardener was a hit on the Monday, before we all went our separate ways after a most enjoyable weekend. Plans for next year, based in Hatfield, Hertfordshire from Friday, 23rd to Monday 26th July, are already well underway.
What is coming up?
Forde Abbey near Chard in Somerset is a very special place and we have a visit there on Friday. The gardens are really interesting, and the café is excellent . On a recent visit, we were also pleased with the plants on sale. The garden visit is preceded by a short stroll locally.
September 10th finds us at St. Fagan’s Castle, near Cardiff, for a private tour of the Castle Gardens by it’s head gardener. Many that visit this popular place do not even know that there is a Castle there, so it is another interesting area to explore. Option to have lunch afterwards.
Essex, and the gardens near Colchester created by the renowned Beth Chatto is our port of call on September 19th . Currently topical, given the drought conditions across the country, the dry gardens she controversially created were well ahead of it’s time. But there is also much else to see there, along with a fine café and plant centre.
Thank you!
Thank you to all who have put on events, and also to those who have come along and supported them. So many great memories are being made. Great to see people coming together and having fun in pleasant surroundings.
A special big thank you to Bill, who is a very big supporter of Garden Group events, and regularly checks out the venues a day or two before, to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day. It is really appreciated! He is also a fine photographer and his snaps are a great addition to the event reports.
Can you help?
So much pleasure to look forward to. But we need do more events please. It would be especially good to get some visits to places around October/early November with impressive autumn colour. Trips to see the leaf changing at Wesotnbirt and Stourhead have been popular in the past but there are lots of other places to choose from.
It is very rewarding to see people enjoying something that you have arranged. It does not have to involve much planning – simply decide on a place and date, and send me the details if you are unable to post it on the website. No recceing is usually needed, as paths are clearly marked on maps provided on arrival. Parking, toilets and cafes are generally are onsite. Select a place that you would like to visit anyway, so in the unlikely event of nobody else showing up, you will still enjoy it. More detailed guidance on putting on garden events can be found here. I will support you in any way I can. Any questions, please feel free to get in touch
Happy gardening/garden visiting everyone and I look forward to seeing you at an event sometime.
Best wishes
Neil
Gardens Group Co-Ordinator.
https://www.goc.org.uk/groups/gardens/
E-mail: [email protected]
