Hardy Plant Society North West Group

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STOP PRESS: HPS NW Gold success at Southport. See photo opposite. Quiz Answer -- Samlesbury War Memorial Hall launches new website and Food Club.	Gold Success at Southport Flower Show 2009 © S D-H Congratulations to the HPS NW team led by Sandy Dopping-Hepenstal on being awarded a Gold Medal and the Chairman's Challenge Cup at Southport 2009 Flower Show. The interpretation of the 1920s show theme was named 'Bauhaus Chic'. Special thanks to all members who helped with the display, including everybody who provided plants and carried out vital work behind the scenes. More photos
Next events: --Saturday 9 January, Farmers' Market at Samlesbury WMH - cancelled Map --Monday 18 January, AGM, Hot-pot supper (book by 11 Jan) and New Zealand Video with Howard Drury --Monday 15 February, Peter Cordall, 'On the Himalayas' --Monday 15 March, Don Witton, 'People, Plants, Pleasure, Passion
Chairman's Welcome A warm welcome to the North West Group of the Hardy Plant Society. We are a vibrant and friendly community, enthusiastic about gardening with hardy herbaceous plants. Members of our Group are attracted mainly from Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Furness in Cumbria. See UK map of HPS local groups. 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, PR5 0UY, (near the Swallow Hotel on the A59, from the M6 junction 31 towards Clitheroe). See our programme, map 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
Plant Sale 2009 A successful plant sale was held in glorious weather at Samlesbury Hall on 14 June 2009. Our stall was superbly organised by Sandy, and special thanks are due to all helpers who donated plants and manned the stall. See Photo opposite © Sandy Dopping-Hepenstal 2009 On Saturday 5 September, we will also have a plant stall at Samlesbury War Memorial Hall in conjunction with the Farmers' Market (9am - 1pm). Plant donations welcome. Flyer
Chelsea 2009: HPS celebrates Gold Medal success This link takes you to the central HPS web site.
HPS NW in Lancashire Life Magazine Journalist Linda Viney visited us at our AGM and wrote an article for Lancashire Life, March 2008, pp. 180-82. A follow-up note on our Chelsea 2008 display appeared in July 2008, pp. 126-29.
Lancashire Evening Post: Follow our progress
HPS rated highly by Daily Telegraph See what Val Bourne said about HPS in the Daily Telegraph (12 July 2008).
Seed Distribution 2009: Message from HPS Coordinator

Visit to Gresgarth Hall

Over 50 members enjoyed a private visit to Gresgarth, the garden of Sir Mark and Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd, on 15 June 2009. There was much of interest to see and many interesting ideas were noted for the June garden.

The double herbaceous border was a mass of blue and several members noted Galega orientalis, a smaller and earlier species than G. officinalis.

Climbing roses were in abundance and the flowering dogwoods, Cornus sp. were at their peak. Those who crossed the river were delighted by the handerkerchief tree, Davidia involucrata, also at its best.

The photo opposite shows members chatting in the vegetable garden, where cultivation of the goblet pear trees created a lot of interest.

Afterwards, many members enjoyed a meal at the Ship Hotel, Caton, continuing to marvel at what they had seen.

Photo © Sandy Dopping-Heppenstall 2009

Chelsea 2008 Success: 'A Passion for Plants'

The North West Group were privileged to repesent the Society at the 2008 Chelsea Flower Show and were awarded a Silver-Gilt Flora medal. Our members 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

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

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