Hello from the GOC Gardens Group – I hope that the sun is shining where you are, as it is here in the Gower Peninsula of South Wales as I write this. The contrasting colours of Daffodils & snakehead fritillarias are stealing the show here right now. Although none here, there are some magnificant magnolias and charming camellias out nearby too. I hope that you can get out and admire some plants doing their stuff, whether in your own garden, a local park or visiting a garden. Its amazing that even a tiny window box can produce so much colour and beauty.
I’m sure that, like many of you, as the sap is rising, fingers are twitching to get on with jobs in the garden. I have been doing lots of pruning of trees & shrubs, and now looking at the herbaceous plants that need dividing. I gave the borders a good mulch of horse manure in late autumn, so exciting now to see things starting to appear. Trying to remember what didn’t quite work last year, and what needs moving around. And of course all those darn weeds are also peeping up! Then there is the less exciting fence painting, but it will look better when it is done, and help to extend it's life.
For those that like visiting historic houses and gardens, a book that I’ve recently bought online from ‘Gay’s the Word’ bookshop may be of interest. It is called Queer Inheritance and explores the queer histories hidden within National Trust properties. A fascinating read.
On a related theme, just released is the film Madfabulous, about a fabulously flamboyant aristocrat, the Marquis of Angelesey. His home, Plas Newydd, now in National Trust hands, on Anglesey was the scene of much of this extravagance, bankrupting the family. On general release from 5 June, it on next week at BFI on the Southbank in London.
Garden events Coming up:
Following on from our two great snowdrop visits last month, our next trip is to Iford Manor near Bath on 19th April, as part of a combined South Wales/West Wales group weekend with West of England group. Iford, designed by Harold Peto, is an amazing place and well worth visiting. A few of the photos above are from there. Full details here.
Wisteria will be centre stage on our visit to Waterperry Gardens nr Oxford on May 1st and the opportunity to see the famed frescoes (one of the largest of its type in the UK) should also be interesting. It was established as a School of Horticulture for ladies by Beatrix Havergal in 1932 and there will also be the option od a stroll by the river following our garden visit. Details here.
A little closer to home is a National Garden Scheme (NGS/Yellow Book) group opening of gardens just west of Swansea on May 10th. …one of which is owned by a female gay couple, whose stained-glass studio will be open. See here.
There are many more events on the website and more are in the pipeline, including some really special ones for the Annual Outdoor Gathering w/end at the end of July at Warwick University nr Coventry. Hidcote, Packwood House and Morton Hall are on the menu, so book your accommodation to ensure a place to stay.
We are also looking at a weekend of garden visits in Cornwall in early 2027. The main attarction will be the renowned magnolias at Caerhays Garden…but plenty of other fine gardens to see too. Watch this space!
As always, offers to organise Garden events are needed. To help with this, there is now some new guidance on the website – click here. Please consider organising an event. If it really is not your thing, but know of a suitable place, please ask your local Group Co-Ordinator if they would put it on, or contact me. I am always happy to deal with the website stuff if necessary, so long as someone can act as host on the day.
Whether you are a gardener, garden visitor or both, I hope that you can get out there and enjoy all the green shoots and sounds of nature that abound at this time of year.
My e-mail is [email protected].
Best wishes!
Neil Barry
Gardens Group Co-Ordinator.
