Tickets for the Special Lecture on 17 November 2008 by Fergus Garrett on 'The Garden at Great Dixter' are now on sale to members at £6. Some tickets will also be available later to non-members at £8. |

CHELSEA SUCCESS: 'A Passion for Plants'
HPS NW were privileged to repesent the Society at the 2008 Chelsea Flower Show and were awarded a Silver-Gilt Flora medal. Special thanks to Glenda and Graham and all members who contributed to the successful outcome. |
| HPS NW were featured in Lancashire Life, March 2008, pp. 180-82, and July 2008, pp. 126-29. |
| See what Val Bourne said about HPS in the Daily Telegraph (12 July 2008). |
Chairman's Welcome
A warm welcome to the HPS NW Group website. We are a vibrant and friendly community of about 150 members who are enthusiastic about gardening with hardy herbaceous plants. We have a series of talks and garden visits throughout the year, to which members, prospective members and visitors - of all ages and levels of experience - are always welcome.
This year we have an outstanding list of speakers. We meet starting at 7.30 for 8pm at Samlesbury War Memorial Hall (near the Swallow Hotel on the A59, from the M6 junction 31 towards Clitheroe). See our programme and directions. Good plants and other items are usually on sale, and there are some superb raffle prizes to be won. Why not come along and find out for yourself?
Neville Jackson |
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About our 2008 Chelsea Exhibit
Members of the North West Group of the Hardy Plant Society are attracted predominantly from Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Furness in Cumbria. Inspiration for the exhibit was drawn from the industrial heritage and the vast range of plants that can be grown in the north west.
The overall shape of the exhibit is reminiscent of a flower with five petals, consisting of four planting areas and a curved metal sculpture forming a shelter. The shelter, designed by one of our members, is symbolic. It expresses appreciation of The Hardy Plant Society, which both nurtures hardy plants and, through education and fellowship, shelters its members. The images opposite show the four planting areas:
Damp and Sunny, Dry and Sunny (top row ); and Damp and Shady, Dry and Shady (bottom row). The plants are predominantly spring perennials chosen for their attractive flowers or foliage with the occasional shrub, small tree or climber to give structure.
Plantswoman Carol Klein on BBC TV gave a tour of the display, covering about 25 plants. Thank you, Carol!
BBC Chelsea Blog |
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50th Anniversary Celebration 1 July 07
About 85 people were present when we celebrated HPS's 50th Anniversary in the North West, and we refused to be put off by the inclement weather. The food was magnificent, the jazz band played superbly and the lawn games, with prizes for the winners, were enjoyed by all who took part. The speech by our principal guest, Dilys Davies, was warmly applauded, and the flower competition was skilfully judged by Ben Andrews.
Special thanks to George and Irene, who hosted this event in a lovely garden setting, for their warm welcome and for all their hard work, as well as to all who contributed behind the scenes to a hugely successful and enjoyable day.
Photos © Phil Rees |
New additions to Gallery:
The Hawthornes, Hesketh Bank, Visit, 16 July 07
Bretherton Gardens, Visit, 6 August 07
Winter Flowers, December 07 - January 08 |