GROUP NEWS
We have enjoyed an even larger number of events this summer and the weather spirits in most cases have smiled on us: coach trips to Bodnant and the Holker Garden Festival were well filled, and evening visits to the Japanese garden at Tatton and to members' gardens worked their customary spell, turning into their own kind of convivial garden party. Reports on these visits follow. The organisation of all our events, visits, plant sale and monthly meetings only runs smoothly due to the work of your enthusiastic committee, whose many skills and great energy add up to a successful North West Group. There will be places available next January, and we should like YOU to consider being part of a good team. There's lots of fun to be had too.
Newsletter: your present editor has been in the hot seat for ages! Is there a budding new one out there, or even just a kind person?
AGM and HOT POT SUPPER – 17 JANUARY
Once again the business part of the meeting will be followed by a traditional supper of hot pot and apple pie, complimentary from the group. Details will be posted in several weeks' time.
SUCCESSES SCORED BY MEMBERS
Congratulations to our members who have entered shows and garden competitions this year; in particular:
Sue Coupe – 3rd prize in the Lancashire Life 'Garden of the Year'
Jacqui Iddon – Gold Medals at Southport and Holker shows.
We should like to hear of any more of your achievements.
CONSERVATION
Our involvement has been renewed in the efforts of the national society to conserve garden-worthy plants which are little known.This is a report following the national meeting recently. (It is also published on our 'Conservation' web page.)
One of the objectives of the HPS is:
"to preserve the older, rarer and lesser known hardy plants and varieties from being forgotten or lost to cultivation".
In 1980 the Conservation Subcommittee was formed. The chairman Tony Lord produced a long list of threatened plants. Over the years this list has been modified as some plants were found and others disappeared, and it has been an important part of the conservation committee's work. Ann Jenner of the Southern Counties group amalgamated their list of wanted plants with it, and this formed the basis for a propagation scheme for the society. There are currently about 75 plants on the national list. At a recent National Conservation Group meeting we were given, by other area groups, seven plants to propagate and distribute amongst our members. These are: Papaver 'Khedive', Helianthus multiflorus 'Plenus', Iris 'Kilbroney Marble', Perovskia 'Blue Haze', Phlox paniculata 'Grey Lady', Primula 'Barbara Midwinter' and Heuchera 'Burgundy Frost'.
Has anyone got any of these in their garden? In the next few months I intend to propagate these plants, and then next year to invite members to take one of them, plant it in their garden and then hopefully divide or use cuttings to produce more plants to give to other members or friends. Multiplication by seeds is not to be used to ensure the new plants are true copies of the old. There is also a simple log sheet to fill in. If any members are interested in being involved, please have a word with me.
A very important aspect of the scheme is that we search out some plants which are endangered, in order to propagate them and distribute them to other area groups throughout the Conservation Scheme. Do you know of any likely plants which we could introduce into the scheme ? These could include:
A genus for which there is no national collection
Plants associated with a local house, dignitary, or with local literary connections
Fashionable plants of an era, eg 20's, 70's or when we were children
A member's plant in need of conservation.
Please reflect on these comments, and offer suggestions!
Susan Watson
NW Group Conservation Co-ordinator
| COACH
TRIP TO BODNANT Saturday 22 May |
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| 0830 on
Saturday morning – 24 intrepid hardy planters about to depart
for Bodnant. A disappointing turnout perhaps, given that the NW Group
has a membership of over 150, but a happy and enthusiastic bunch neverthless.
Very light traffic and no road works on the motorway system made for a very swift passage to our coffee stop. This was the Duke of Westminster's very smart Grosvenor Garden Centre at Belmont, just south of Chester. As well as an excellent coffee shop, the retail sales area was big and beautifully stocked with all the usual gardening tools, fertilizers, furniture etc. etc. The plant area was particularly well laid out and stocked with a good variety of trees, shrubs, perennials and bedding plants. Needless to say, hardy planters being who they are, purchases were made and notes compared. Apart from a slight delay just outside Colwyn Bay, the onward journey to Bodnant was easily achieved and we arrived in good time. The 2004 edition of Good Gardens Guide describes Bodnant as one of the finest gardens in the country – I doubt that any of our party would dispute that claim. Large in scale – over 80 acres – with breathtaking views over the river Conwy and the Snowdon range, and a collection of rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas and magnolias to interest everyone. Throughout the gardens, in some places very steep, are many huge specimen trees, including the 45 metre redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, the tallest in the country. The first port of call for most members was a walk through the famous laburnum arch which was just approaching its best – a 50 metre tunnel of fresh golden blooms – truly spectacular. Several members of the group who had previously visited Bodnant commented that they had never seen the gardens looking better, because in addition to the trees and shrubs looking so well, the lawns and beds were all immaculate – probably something to do with the owner still living 'over the shop'! In addition to a fine example of Davidia involucrata (pocket handkerchief tree), which was spotted in the depths of the garden, particular interest was shown in the 2 or 3 examples of Embothrium coccineum var. Norquinco Form (Chilean fire bush), with its brilliant clusters of orange/scarlet flowers. The Estate office at Bodnant told me that these particular trees were sown from seed collected by Harold Cumber in the late 1920's. Apparently there is a 15 metre high specimen on Valencia Island in S.W. Ireland – well worth a detour to see! Although parts of the garden are very steep, the paths were smooth enough and all our members got back to the coach unscathed – via the plant centre of course, where more purchases were made. All in all the trip was highly successful and entertaining and could well be used as a blueprint for future outings. Mike Kedzlie N.B. The photos were taken by Maggie during a subsequent visit later in the year. |
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COACH TRIP TO HOLKER HALL GARDEN FESTIVAL AND COUNTRY FAIR Saturday 5 June
Holker Hall Garden Festival has flourished in the best horticultural traditions to become one of the most successful events in Cumbria's calendar. This was my first visit to the Festival and I joined 34 of our members to experience the event. The weather was mainly cloudy, but warm, the only shower occurring as we arrived. What impressed me? The beautiful setting in the Cumbrian countryside; the Courtyard Café in which we fortified ourselves before setting out for the short walk to the showground; the provision of a shuttle bus service, for those who wished to take advantage of it, between the café area and the showground; the thoughtful layout of the site, which enabled visitors to move around the exhibits easily and not miss anything; the 'at work' displays including rag rug making, and the ever-popular stone trough constructions, to mention only a few.
The 'Sheeptastic' display attracted large crowds. A Welsh farmer gave a talk on sheep farming and described the characteristics of 20 different sheep as each took its place on a tiered stand. His brother then demonstrated sheep-shearing. The focal point of each Festival is the specially-formed gardens and these were full of ideas to try out in our own gardens. The magical garden 'Wilderness' designed by Kim Wilde was being constructed during the Festival, and we watched the fourth quarter being planted up.
We listened to music from Riverboat Days Dixieland Band and watched Clarissa Dixon-Wright and Sir John Scott autographing copies of their new game cookbook, and the children being entertained by Jukalo the Juggler. There were hundreds of trade stands offering, amongst other things, gardening products, country clothing, wines, handcrafted and personal design items, and the new food hall was not to be missed. The impressive array of stands and displays in the horticultural marquee were a delight to walk round, and of course we came away with carrier bags of plants, which we have had to make room for in the garden.
There is so much more one could say about the Festival, but I'll finish by congratulating the Cumbria Group for their excellent display and well deserved Gold Medal. If you have not been to the Festival before then try and make it next year – you will not be disappointed.
Yvonne HartNIGHT TRIP TO JAPAN Thursday 8 July
The weather said stop at home – but to miss the chance of actually walking around inside the Japanese garden at Tatton? Walks around the outside had been fascinating, including a wet official re-opening in 2001, but the need to go within was greater!
Our guide Graham had been involved in the resurrection of the garden and had visited Japan during its development so he was able to provide a valuable insight. Across the entrance bridge – a steel frame bound with re-cycled rhododendron branches looking so much like a solid wooden bridge from afar – and we were on the island with rocks and Torri arch before us. Placing a rock is not done quickly in a Japanese garden – the rock will 'tell' you the one position in which it will be happy. The Torri is a traditional sacred structure, forming the entrance to a Shinto shrine, a religion based on the belief that the spirits live around us in nature – animals, trees, rocks. The ground beyond the Torri is sacred and sanctified leading to the Shrine – a simple, striking wooden structure, beautifully constructed. Timeless – with a sacred fox keeping watch.
Across the arched bridge – a lot steeper than it looked from a distance – and we were in the garden. A Japanese garden is designed to make you stop and ponder, with ploys developed over centuries to make this happen. Tatton is no different and the walk through showed many things so much better – rocks, lanterns, basins, stepping stones. Lanterns – each having a different role – yukumi-gata for snow viewing, tachi-gata with their ornate pedestals, oki-gata, smaller, to light your path. Wash basins – tsukubai – for purification and decreasing in height so that you bow lower in increasing humility on your spiritual passagee through the garden. Other sacred symbols were present – crane and turtle – commonly found as rock islands in gardens in Japan as statues are not a typical feature. A mound of green topped with white to depict the sacred mountain, Fuji. And a stone seat supported by chimney pots from the Tatton greenhouses!
Last but not least was the planting; the splendid Japanese maples of varied form and colour, azaleas, bamboos, mosses, ferns – all staples of the Japanese way of gardening. The view from the round window of the teahouse was superb. Well worth the wetting!
Phillip J ReesVISITS TO MEMBERS' GARDENS
| Those hardy planters
who ignored a dull wet evening on 19 July were well rewarded. The
one-acre garden created by Mr and Mrs Ainsworth over some twenty years
contained many unusual trees and shrubs. A quite rare split beech,
mature Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip tree), a dainty leafed silver
willow and a Catalpa with its striking golden foliage. A newly planted
Paulownia should look splendid when its large lobed leaves and foxglove
flowers become mature. Near to the conservatory a shale area made a lovely corner for many alpine troughs and pots of Canna lilies. The striking and fashionable Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' with almost black rosettes and chocolate Cosmos made an eye-catching display. This was shown off by a wonderful stone wall on which alpines were planted in niches. We were allowed to cross the boundary and wander in the pretty garden next door, and in fact the two gardens sat well together without any hard demarcation lines. Back in the Ainsworths' garden, paths of bark led around the pond which was planted with Dierama, Cortaderia 'Silver Comet' and the huge Romneya bearing its large white cupped flowers. The water lilies were huge as were the Koi – thus dispelling the golden rule – have either a still pond with lilies, or fish!! Moving on we came to a stumpery planted with various hostas, and on towards the greenhouses. A bed along one side was planted entirely with more hostas. Apparently this had been completely gritted before the leaves emerged and there was not a slug or snail in sight. No midnight feasts here! The greenhouses were a feast for lovers of exotics, and contained bromeliads of many forms. Many of these are epiphytes, or air plants, which absorb their food through moisture in the atmosphere, and not from the host on which they grow. Among the collection were Tillandsia usneoides, draped on the pipes encased with bark. They looked like grey beards hanging down. We gazed down into the flowering centre of Neoregelia concentrica, and up into the waxy flowers of Hoya ‘Bella’. We marvelled at the curious Nepenthes hookeriana, an insectivorous plant like the better known Venus Fly Trap. The other glasshouse contained a huge collection of Sarracenia grown for their unusual hooded spathes. Mr. Ainsworth, a one-time exhibitor, had so many plants that some had been planted out in an open bed. These were an experiment – left to fend for themselves. Out in the garden again to admire the many roses scrambling over rustic poles, and charging up tree trunks; R. 'Albertine', 'New Dawn' and 'Dorothy Perkins' were all looking and smelling wonderful on a damp evening in July. This garden was a real treat – I headed off home to water the only exotica in my greenhouse – tomatoes! Sue Coupe |
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THE HAWTHORNES, HESKETH BANK
It was well worth the trip for those who made the journey
to the garden of Richard and Sheila Hodson on 1st July. Situated close
to the confluence of the Douglas and the Ribble, the garden is in a relatively
mild area on the fertile soil of the West Lancashire plain. The adjoining
nursery specialises in clematis but also hosts a good variety of roses
and some unusual perennials.
The main garden at the rear of the house is a level rectangular plot divided
into perimeter borders and island beds set off by lawn: sweeping curves
and varied planting disguise its geometrical base. At the side of the
drive, there is a large pond that provides a spacious setting for moisture-loving
plants and shrub roses. Rosa
'Roseraie de l'Hay' filled the air with its strong fragrance.
The Hodsons use obelisks, pergolas, trelisses and, in particular, other
shrubs and trees as support for clematis, enabling many different varieties
to be planted within the space available. This diversifies the interest
amongst the greenery and provides opportunities for pleasing combinations.
Acer negundo 'Variegatum'
combined with the velvety crimson flowers of Clematis
'Rouge Cardinal' caught my eye. Even Euonymus
japonicus can look special when bedecked with
clematis flowers.
A striking island bed combined purple C. viticella
which is small-flowered but highly floriferous, with the pink shrub Rosa
'Ballerina'. Two distinctive roses that appealed to me were R.
'Jacques Cartier', a scented pink rose with
a peony-like flower and R. gallica 'Versicolor'
which has striped blooms. Amongst the perennials I particulary liked were
Primula capitata
'Silvana', which has a very neat habit and is long-flowering, and Astrantia
maxima which has a delighful pink and green
pattern of bracts under the flower.
As usual, hardy planters were soon tempted by a side array of plants for
sale, no matter how 'full' their garden. Our thanks to the Hodsons for
opening their interesting garden for our pleasure. On a personal note,
Richard's talk earlier this year prompted the purchase of trellis, obelisks
and archways which are gradually being clothed with a wide variety of
clematis in my garden, and not just the large-flowered hybrids. Perhaps
we can find space for one or two more?
Susan Bowden
A PENNINE GARDEN – CROSS GAITS COTTAGEA walled garden at 700 feet in cottage style, with some formality and two ponds, in 2/3 acre. Pennine views. A brief and basic description in Northern Snippets, but enticing. We can read between the lines, use our imagination and see the beautiful herbaceous border, views stretching into the distance, a few sheep here and there.
We were not disappointed by Marny Gude's garden at Cross Gaits Cottage. She is well used to welcoming visitors to her garden and has been in the 'yellow book' of the NGS for the past 15 years. When we visited this lovely garden in the first week of August it had a calm atmosphere. The early evening light was working its spell. More than 30 of us saw the phlox at their best, the agapanthus doing very well this year, and the abies had some fantastic cones. The dry stone wall provides a natural backdrop to the garden, giving views of grazing land beyong, and is a perching place for the cat to spy on mice!
Calm describes the garden that evening, although rain threatened, but as Marny explained, the garden is an exposed one. 'Although this year' she said 'it has gone over a month ahead of its time.' As we all know, you always see more plants the more times you walk around a garden – the light changes and more delights come into view. In Marny's garden we saw a magnificent Rosa 'American Pillar', the damask rose R. 'Isfahan', Cimicifuga 'Brunette' (the common bugbane was in the past strewn on church floors, I was told – it needs a damp spot), Clematis 'Arabella', C. 'Etoile Violette', the remains of what had been a lovely Crambe cordifolia (must try again with that one), the lovely coral plumes of Macleaya microcarpa in the perfect spot by the dry stone wall (lovely to look at in the sunset), Epilobium album (white willowherb), Francoa sonchifolia, two huge tree paeonies, the foliage of Acaena 'Blue Wave' blending into the stonework beneath an impressive urn.
We won't talk about the phormium whose days are numbered apparently, but it was an excellent talking point with many suggestions as to how to remove it, from glyphosate to charcoal to brute force, of course. A composed yet natural garden (achieved by hours of work) blending with the surrounding countryside. Silly question, I know, but what is your favourite plant, Marny? She is very fond of the subtly gorgeous Astrantia major 'Rubra'. I couldn't agree more.
Gill Crook
HEASELANDS, ENTWISTLE
Not a group visit this time, but a private one made one hot Sunday afternoon to the fascinating and richly-planted garden of Gill and Tim Bullough. Gill is a North West group member who surprised us all by her new entry into the 'yellow book' this year. She had no need to be shy about it – her plants are a lesson in what is best about perennial planting.
First, a note about the setting; you approach Heaselands from open moorland, through a copse, across the lake that is Entwistle reservoir and to the hillside house. You could say that a garden here is almost superfluous, such is the natural beauty all around.The openness brings its own constraints; moorland winds are no friends to a gardener, and high hedges have been planted to shelter the treasures within. Entering through an arch clad with roses and clematis, we were surrounded by tall, waving perennials as we made our way along the winding, grass paths. Island beds twisted and turned, deep beds followed the perimeter of the site, and we were led via pergola, arch and stepping stones to a wide, shining pond; its little bridge led to a summerhouse, backed by the stunning view of hills and sky on the one boundary left open to the countryside. Even the pond had its own 'mixed border' along the margin, the colours of tall yellow Ligularia przewalskii and Primula florindae with pinks and crimsons of Lythrum salicaria, Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty',and Filipendula venusta nestling between the giant bronzed leaves of Rodgersia aesculifolia and ferns, Matteuccia struthiopteris and Osmunda regalis.
Another part was devoted to heathers, their green and gold foliage divided by pebbled edges and little paths of slate shards. One area was planted as a winter walk, where glossy evergreens stood side-by-side with crinkly Osmanthus delavayi and gold-splashed Elaeagnus pungens 'Aureus'; ground cover here was in contrasting maroon and pewter, supplied by cultivars of Heuchera and Ajuga. A good example of Gill's intensive planting was shown here, for in winter and spring snowdrops, aconites and grape hyacinths will make their welcome appearance, whereas the summer show is extended by Clematis texensis cultivars and a Cytisus battandieri benefitting from the shelter.
A wholly different atmosphere pervades near the house. Fine gravel interspersed with large pebbles is the backdrop to the tubby shapes of terracotta and glazed pots, and many herbs have their home in these and in the gravel. A corner pergola wreathed in more climbing roses and clematis had a mosaic floor made from coloured pebbles to continue the theme.
My overall impression was of rich variety and glowing health. The 'planting partnerships' which I most enjoyed were not only planned for colour but also for contrasting form. A pale blue Clematis tangutica with yellow Cephalaria gigantea, white Lysimachia clethroides, lime-green Euphorbia wulfenii and Aconitum in shades of pale blue, royal blue and white, some reaching 2 metres high and with no visible support. Elsewhere Acanthus spinosus with Astrantia in pinks and crimson, Stachys byzantina, Tradescantia 'Osprey', Thalictrum 'Hewitt's Double', Geranium in shades of blue and purple, and the large, woolly-leaved Salvia microphylla, the whole overhung with the uniquely violet Rosa 'Veilchenblau'. The plants which I envied most were a magnificent new Eryngium named possibly 'Forncett Ultra' whose deep blue and silvery scape was a full 10 cm wide and the stems purple. The other was the Kirengeshoma palmata, its almost transparent yellow curling flowers peeping through leaves held horizontally and shaped like the palmate Acer. True aristocrats. The visit was a great treat, a little like rummaging through a giant treasure box.
Elaine Taylor
AUTUMN LECTURES
EXOTICA IN LANCASHIRE Ben Andrews
Ben started by reminding us that we grow very little that is indigenous to these islands. The word 'exotic' simply meaning anything which is foreign, imported, implies that our vast choice of plant material chiefly has its origins beyond these shores. He warned against presuming that global warming is the plantsman's new-found friend, since the Lancashire climate has enormous contrasts; subjects which thrive for Ben in the favoured plain of Garstang may not stand a chance in upland Burnley. The twin watchwords were shelter and drainage.
He went on to guide us on a tour of temperate parts of the world which are home to some desirable and delectable plants, some of which are thriving for lucky Lancastrians. In Greece we saw flourishing in the mountains the Judas tree, Cercis siliquastrum, a Verbascum undulatum, the lovely fan palm Chamaerops humilis, and the fragile, scented Genista aetnensis. In Majorca we saw in their natural habitat Clematis cirrhosa (parent of C. 'Freckles'), Phlomis fruticosa, Muscari comosum with a loose crown and grassy leaves, and the little wild gladiolus. In Portugal grow Lavandula stoechas with its 'butterfly' head – difficult on any but a sandy soil – Acanthus mollis with its wide, indented leaf, also difficult on heavy, wet soil but whose cousin Acanthus spinosus is much more accommodating, the wonderfully scented Spartium junceum – safeguard it by taking yearly cuttings – and Cistus crispus, brought by John Tradescant in 1618 (the hybrids C. x lusitanicus and C. x purpureus are hardy here). In Madeira we saw Geranium maderense and were warned to take seed and grow new plants annually, as this can be biennial.
After touring the Mediterranean we came nearer home to see the treasures of Gulf Stream Scottish gardens at Threave and Logan; the skyrocket which is Echium pininana, a biennial, thrives in the desert of Teneriffe, but also does quite well on Walney island, and on the hillside at Grange-over-Sands. At Threave three glorious plants were shown – the alpine Gentiana lutea`, the crimson Phygelius 'Winchester Fanfare' and the pristine white Zantedeschia aethiopica growing in water.
We were whisked off to New Zealand next to see several shrubs which we now consider worth a risk; among the most delightful was the Hoheria lyallii, with delicate, single white flowers photographed against a clear blue sky. The cordyline we use as a summer dot plant was shown as a full tree, holding up a washing line!
From the Far East we saw the lovely Clematis armandii, actually shown growing in the micro-climate of Holker Hall; Trachelospermum jasminoides, although just hardy outside, exudes its heady perfume better if kept under glass, and Hibiscus syriacus (from the Middle East) flowers better if baked.
Our last stop was in Chile, where we met the blazing Embothrium coccineum, here enjoying the acid soil and shelter of Holker Hall, the Crinodendron hookerianum shown in Williamson Park, Lancaster, and that frustrating climber Tropaeolum speciosum, so hard to establish but another fiery Chilean beauty.
Ben managed to persuade us that a little care and attention, by way of some shelter and a well-prepared soil, can open up more possibilities to us even in our northerly climate.
THE CANADIAN ROCKIES Jack Swann
We last heard Jack talking about the Arboretum at Jodrell Bank, and so expected to meet with more than a few trees. Not so. This time the focus of attention was the low-growing plant-life which manages to survive, and even flourish, in the harsh environment of the Rocky Mountains.
Jack made the tour as part of a group from Keele on behalf of the Field Studies Council, and their interests ranged from geology and botany to the changing environment. We were treated to pictures of creatures such as the Columbian ground squirrel 'just waiting to get your picnic', a bald eagle in flight and an osprey nesting. We saw pillars of rock whose layers bore evidence of being once under the sea, and lakes which were deep turquoise or emerald green.
Our first stop was Calgary, at 3,500 feet above sea-level and with only 10" of rain per year; Rosa woodsii was only 18" high instead of the 6 to 8 feet expected here, many artemisias flourished in the dry conditions, and a soapberry Monarda fistula provided food for the bears. In the Bo Valley National Park, at 7,000 feet, the meadows were spangled with many wild flowers, sweet vetch, aster, a wild sweet pea Lathyrus ochroleucus, and the Canadian bluebell, not Hyacinthus but Mertensia paniculata.
Near Banff the Cascade Mountain appeared snowy above a wreath of morning mist; Cornus canadensis appeared, of course, with wood violets, and several circum-polar plants – Sedum roseum and Lonicera involucrata. Lake Louise, so cold that it can still be frozen in May, was the centre for jewels such as Dodecatheon meadia, Cypripedium passerinum – the sparrow's egg orchid, the yellow Myosotis alpestris, and a dainty Androsace semi-jasminum. How can such fragile things survive close to the Columbia ice-field, reputed to be 1,500 feet deep?
In the Jasper region we saw Whistler's Mountain, accessible by cable car to the top; the Rocky Mountain rhododendron, R. albiflora, made its home here, along with a yellow papaver, a little potentilla reputed to be 30 years old and a purple silene. The unique Medicine Lake empies completely in summer, leaving a dry valley; we saw a gentianella with a visiting white admiral butterfly on it, a pink Penstemon ellipticus nestling in sheer rock alongside a starry yellow Arnica cordifolia. The deep canyons of the Johnson river were jammed with fallen trees, which once would have been cleared by burning, but no longer. Here the state flower Rosa sicularis glowed deep pink next to a green Bracted bog orchid.
Yet one more unique habitat was the Sunshine Meadows near Banff; 300 species crowd around a lake on a 3 feet layer of volcanic ash. The temperature is so cold that the growing season is a short 45 days; we saw the white Pulsatilla occidentalis, Trollius albiflorus, and Anemone parviflora.
There seemed to be no end to the superlatives needed to describe the stunning mountain scenery. White peaks reflected perfectly in blue lakes, fiery sunsets lit up mountain tops, foaming cataracts divided hillsides. Could we perhaps follow in Jack's footsteps on such an adventure, could we too sit at the top of a snowy slope and descend its 500 feet in just 7 seconds? Bravo.
SOUTHPORT FLOWER SHOW – August exhibit
The report published with photos on our 'Gallery' web page is printed here.
This year was the 75th Anniversay year for Southport Show and exhibitors were asked to produce displays with this in mind. Following our Large Gold Medal and Silver Challenge Shield award in 2003 and a Silver Gilt at the 2004 Spring Show the North West Group were determined to produce another winning entry and some research into local history revealed that the ornate bandstand in Victoria Park, where the flower show is staged, was moved to its present site at around the time of the first show. It was decided that our 3 metre square island display would be built around a reproduction of the bandstand, with a small area of grass to represent the park and an even smaller area of sand and shells to represent the adjacent beach, while a Victorian pattern cast-iron urn was planted with a '75' in sempervivums to continue the historical theme.
A palm tree, representing those found along Lord Street, was used as the central feature in the bandstand and cutouts of musical instruments and groups of musical notes were suspended from the roof of the bandstand to indicate the more usual occupants. A late design item was the addition of a model plane, towing a congratulation banner, to the roof of the bandstand since such planes are a regular feature of the Southport scene.
Planting-up produced the usual discussions although this year we had an unusually large group of plants to select from, and eventually used less than half of those brought to the show. In addition to some new clematis varieties used to clamber among the mock cast-iron panels of the bandstand, we had sourced modern varieties of crocosmia, heuchera, agastache, coreopsis, salvia, lobelia and many other perennials, looking for new cultivars wherever possible to demonstrate the wide range of plants now available.
In addition to the main island display the society also provided a large 'bureau' providing information about the HPS, a list of future events and photographs of the members enjoying the varied activities of the group. The bureau was provided with atmospherein the form of an old potting shed, equipped with vintage gardentools, and a small patio surrounded by a magnificent collection ofmembers’ pot plants in ceramic and terracotta pots.
Our efforts were obviously approved as we were awarded a LargeGold Medal, plus the Silver Challenge Shield for best amateurSociety display, and a discretionary Silver Rose Bowl awarded forAn outstanding exhibit. All our hardworking members are to be congratulated and we are already casting around for ideas for Southport 2005.
Keith Russell
OUR SPEAKERS IN 2005
February Ken Green – 'Foliage in the Garden'
Ken and his wife have a nursery specialising in hostas and unusual perennials in the walled garden of Hornby Castle. They exhibit and sell at many shows.
March John Steadman – 'Fletcher Moss Botanic Garden'
Horticultural Advisor to the City of Manchester, John will outline the garden's history, and show us some of its specialities, with examples.
April Michael Myers – 'Mountain Flowers of Eastern Europe'
Michael has a nursery near Pately Bridge and particularly likes spring flowers. He last showed us hepaticas.
May BOB FLOWERDEW – 'NO WORK GARDENING'
A very special event, to be held at Myerscough College, Bilsborrow near Garstang. Price £5 – book early.Members will have first choice, visitors may book if there is room near the date.
September John Foley – 'Crocosmias through the Ages'
Peter's son enters the business in blazing colours.
October Ken Pratt – 'Unusual Hardy Plants'
Ken holds the National Collection of fritillaries but in his nursery grows many perennials.
November Ron Davies – 'Life as a Country House Gardener'.
Some of us heard Ron at the AGM discussing the many fascinating plants he grows near Penrith.
Eileen Peake
Contents
Group News
Plant Sale
Summer Visits
Summer Party
Southport Shows
A Grower's Challenge
Getting Ready for the Show [Jacqui Iddon]
Aspects of Horticulture in the Third Dimension [Roy Jackson]
Correspondents' Group
HPS AGM
The World in a Cumbrian Country Garden [Ron Davies]
Alnwick Castle Garden [Ian August]
What's on in the North West: National Trust RHS General
GROUP NEWS
As our membership increases so too do our events, and in order to combine the information about these, a regular Newssheet is designed to help you keep details in one place. The visits to Bodnant and to the Holker Garden Festival by coach are an opportunity not to be missed - travel in comfort with lots of room to bring home purchases, and at a fraction of the usual price.
The monthly plant sales continue to be popular, and are an opportunity not only to buy interesting plants but also to sell your surplus ones. You keep 80% of the plant price.
Don't forget to bring along news of any events which may interest members; other societies' activities such as plant fairs, shows and competitions may be welcome news to many of us, so bring a poster or leaflets along.
Have you visited somewhere which you would like to recommend to us? Bring along a picture, leaflet or photo to display on our picture notice-board. Opening times and directions would be useful, too.
ANNUAL PLANT SALE Saturday 15th May - Samlesbury Memorial Hall - 11am - 1pm
We welcome all your plants for our fund-raising sale; herbaceous, small shrubs, water-plants, herbs and edible, even tender perennials and annuals! Please label them clearly with at least the genus and species; we don't need a price label as there will be a table for each price-point.
Typical prices will be 50p, £1, £1.50 and £2 for 'specials'. This is a bring-and-buy sale, and we welcome all your well-grown plants, nicely presented, from 10 am.
Can you advertise for us? A small poster in your window or in your car would tell people about the sale - these will be available at the next meeting. Bring your friends and neighbours too.
Directions: from the M6 exit at junction 31; take the A 59 for Clitheroe. After about 1 mile, at the end of the dual carriageway and just before the traffic lights at an Esso garage, take the right turning signed Walton-le-Dale and Brewery. The hall is the first building on the right, and there is extra parking across the road in the waterworks.
You already have information about 3 splendid visits arranged for this spring and summer; the dates are repeated here:
BODNANT GARDENS, near Conway, north Wales
Saturday 22nd May
The coach leaves Samlesbury at 8.30am and returns between 6pm and 7pm. Please notify Mike if you are a National Trust member.
Book with Mike Kedzlie
HOLKER HALL GARDEN FESTIVAL, near Grange over Sands
Saturday 5th June
The coach leaves Samlesbury at 8.30am and returns between 6pm and 7pm
Book with Elaine Taylor
TATTON PARK, Knutsford, Cheshire
Thursday 8th July
Meet in the courtyard at 6.15pm for guided tour. Please notify Keith if you are a National Trust member.
Book with Keith Russell
SUMMER PARTY - Saturday 19th June, 7 pm
Our hosts this year will be Roy and Erica Hodgkinson, The Barn, Alum Scar Lane, near Samlesbury. Those of you who are music and drama enthusiasts may have already visited The Barn, with its delightful theatre in a rural setting, famous also for Erica's tasty suppers. We shall have a carved buffet, and tickets at £8 will include the first drink. These can be obtained at the next meetings, the Plant Sale and from Maggie Towse.Directions: from the A676 Blackburn - Preston road, at Samlesbury Hall turn into Nab's Head Lane. At the T-junction and the Nab's Head, turn left; after a third of a mile look for a right turning, signed 'The Barn', and follow the single-track lane for about a mile.
Saturday to Monday 1st, 2nd and 3rd May at Meols Hall, Churchtown
This year the group is staging an exhibit at this increasingly popular spring show. Meols Hall is set in spacious grounds, and many nurseries are represented at the show. There are craft stalls, cookery demonstrations, floral art, speciality foods, outside gardens and exhibits in the marquees. 9.30am to 6pm each day.
Tickets from local Town Hall Information desks.
Thursday to Sunday, 19th - 22nd August at Victoria Showground, Southport
Our exhibit this year will feature an aspect of the Show's history; the first one was held 75 years ago, and we shall depict the historic Bandstand. You will have read in the recent Newssheet that Eileen Peake is co-ordinating our efforts to raise plants for the display, and this is her plan.
A GROWERS' CHALLENGE
'At the AGM in January, Jacqui Iddon came to speak to us about competing at the Southport Flower Show. Jacqui, with her usual enthusiasm fired some of us to try and grow herbaceous plants for the plant arrangers to use on our stand at the Show.
Here are some of the requirements:
1 They must be in flower in the third week in August.
2 They must be of a very high standard; our plant arrangers are of professional standard and our plants need to be the same.
3 Do not be upset if your plants are not used!
4 Let me know what you are going to grow and keep in touch with me over the next few months until August, when we will liaise about your plants. I will also need your name and telephone number. Sue and Denis Watson have offered to look after plants if there is a difficulty at any stage. The plants will also be gathered at their home in Hesketh Bank prior to the Show so it would be helpful if growers could take them there.
The stand last year was superb; it had to be to win the Large Gold Medal. So, the challenge is there; let's go for it. It would be tremendous if we could win Gold again using quite a lot of our own plants.
Remember, we are competing against the professional growers. Better to concentrate on one type of plant and succeed than too many. Enjoy it; if we do not succeed we will have to buy, but I am sure that with gardeners such as we have in the group it is possible.
Eileen Peake
GETTING READY FOR THE SHOW
By Jacqui Iddon
Did you miss the AGM this year? Well, it was slightly different, as we had invited Jacqui to address us; with just 30 minutes sandwiched between the AGM Business and the hot pot supper for her presentation, she said 'No pressure then!' with a grin. We had asked her to share with us some of her experience of exhibiting at the Flower Shows. Why, you may ask, as we had won the Large Gold Medal in 2003? Well, we wanted to encourage more members to be involved in 2004; to be able to enjoy the challenge and the immense pleasure involved in 'doing our stand'.
We anticipated that Jacqui would inspire and entertain us, and we were not disappointed. She was just a few minutes into her talk when Dilys sprang to her feet, bursting with enthusiasm to recount her memories of the North West Group's early ventures into the Southport Show! Tales of arranging cut flowers in green vases, as these were the only permissible exhibits! In those days it was another Iddon who added her expertise to the group's efforts - Maureen, Jacqui's mum. It was great to see how, as the group has grown, the Iddon family tradition of involvement with it has continued.
So, what tips did Jacqui share with us?
Start early. In late January, the third week in August may seem a long time away, but the weeks and months pass quickly, and the plants need as much time as possible to put on good growth and to form attractive healthy specimens. So, in spring start to take cuttings and make divisions. Pot on and be prepared to repeat the process 3 or 4 times during the season. Feed either with a controlled-release fertilizer in the compost, or regular liquid feeds - compost only holds sufficient nutrients to take a growing plant through 6 weeks or so. Don't rely on just one plant of any species or variety - always grow 3 or 4 to be on the safe side. As 2003 proved, the English weather is not predictable; despite the vagaries of our climate, try to grow plants that are likely to be at their best in mid to late August. Last summer was so hot and dry that many plants were difficult to keep in flower until so late in the season. For a group like ours, Jacqui thought that it might be most effective if individual growers concentrated on 2 or 3 varieties only, rather than any one person trying to produce too many forms, and struggling in the process.
Paper plans can be helpful, but don't rely on them excessively as we may find that for a variety of reasons not all the anticipated plants are available. As a group we need to try to grow a range of plants for flower, foliage, colour and texture. And all need to look good at the right time. We also need a good range of heights - from low-growing ground cover to tall, back of the border plants. Exhibits can be made in pots or as a garden display; traditionally we have done a garden display for the main stand and a potted display for the 'Society Kiosk'. For the first we shall need subjects in black plastic pot which are easiest to disguise, and for the second specimens in large, 'good' pots.
Whatever display we create,some kind of hard landscaping will be needed: Jacqui suggests that we find a member who is handy with a brick bolster to cut bricks in half to reduce their depth. Easier to carry and you get 2 for 1! If using gravel, try to choose a complementary colour for the plants in proximity to it. Suggested plants likely to be at their best in late August were included in the recently-produced list, but additions include smaller subjects such as Calamintha grandiflora with its 'waves' of tiny flowers, and Diascia 'Ruby Fields' or one of its other good varieties.
Like us, plants have their 'good side' so always rotate them before their final positioning so that they give of their best!
Remember, we can't predict the moods of judges, so success can't be guaranteed, but we can make it fun! You never know, together we might achieve that Large Gold Medal again in 2004.
Maggie Towse
ASPECTS OF HORTICULTURE IN THE 3RD DIMENSION
By Roy Jackson
What an inspiration for the beginning of the gardening year, to see so many beautiful 3D slides of a multitude of wonderful plants and gardens!
We put on our special 3D viewing glasses, wondering what we would see. Well, it was a treat to the senses. We saw enchanting close-ups of plants and realistic garden vistas. We heard, on the soundtrack, an admirable commentary by Roy with complementary music. The images on the slides were so real that we felt we could smell and touch them and if there had been slides of edible produce we would have felt we could taste them!
The slides depicted the vast range of horticulture we enjoy in Great Britain and showed the diverse work of garden designers, plantsmen and women, nurseries, botanic gardens, horticultural shows, seed merchants, flower arrangers, the RHS and plant societies.
We travelled the length and breadth of England, Scotland and Wales, from topiary at Levens Hall to conifers in Roy's nursery in Tarleton. We went from the Eden Project to Edinburgh Botanic Gardens and from Catforth Gardens in the Yellow Book to the efforts of Southport's Spring Show exhibitors. We also travelled in time from the Japanese Garden at Tatton Hall to the Ball Colgrave Trial Seed Grounds. We saw the azaleas and Rhododendrons at Ness and Bodnant Gardens compared to cacti grown in Bolton. We viewed Alan and Adrian Bloom's gardens in Norfolk and the Garden of the Rose in St Alban's. We visited John Ainsworth's garden in Bamber Bridge to look at his collection of Sarracenia and then to Richard Hodson's Clematis nursery in Hesketh Bank.
The individual shots of such a wonderful range of flowers are what I will remember most vividly from Roy's 3D presentation of the Aspects of Horticulture.
Susan Watson
If you cannot come to meetings but still wish to keep in touch with other plant-lovers, the solution is be a member of this group. HPS members can join it, and everything comes through the post. A 20-page, illustrated Newsletter comes 4 times per year, with topics, ideas, interests and stories. Some members contribute articles, letters, snippets, tips or simply talk about their gardens, favourite plants, garden visits, books, et cetera. There is also a quarterly quiz. The tone is a mixture of humorous, light-hearted, informative, educational or even serious. Members send in seed whenever it is ripe, and distribution goes on throughout the year. Plants, books and sundries such as labels and marker pens are available by mail order.
Contact Mrs J Lucas; e-mail: correspondentsgroup@hardy-plant.org.uk
THE HPS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
At Newton Rigg, Cumbria - Saturday 27th March
A good number of NW Group members attended the meeting
held in the attractive grounds of the horticultural college near Penrith,
where Judy Harry presided in her third and final year of office. In his
vote of thanks to her, chairman-elect Brian Dockerill paid tribute to
her wise counsel, friendly leadership, and some good revisions to the
organisation of the society.
Jane Sterndale-Bennett announced with great regret the recent death of
Dr Jack Elliott, HPS chairman from 1984 - 87. Originally an alpine enthusiast,
his books 'Smaller Perennials' and 'The Woodland Garden' have been much
valued by society members. Jane praised the way he shared his vast range
of knowledge with generosity, and his efforts in bringing the 'Plantfinder'
with the aegis of the HPS.
THE WORLD IN A CUMBRIAN COUNTRY-HOUSE GARDEN
Ron Davies
The North Americans were understandable enough in north Cumbria - Trillium, Dodecatheon, Lysichiton and Phytolacca are robust enough, but Fremontodendron californicum was a shock. A south-facing whitewashed wall is its home, but with no protection a drop to -12ºC was supported with no apparent damage.
When Ron began to mention Australasia our eyes opened wider. A collection of Celmisia is thriving, C. 'Egglestone Silver' being especially fine; curiosities such as Bulbinella hookeri (resembling a yellow willow-herb) and Aciphylla squarrosa aurea (resembling a pile of twigs) added distinction to this group.
From the Himalaya we were treated to exquisite pictures of some unusual and desirable plants - the tall pink. Lacy flower of Morina longifolia, the Codonopsis convolvulacea in a clear, light blue, the dark, berried spike of Phytolacca acinosa.
But then Africa? A glorious Dactylorrhiza elata resembled a tall, purple hyacinth, several Eucomis were thriving undisturbed among late summer Salvia, and an Arum cyrenaicum's lime-green spathe was eye-catching.
A European contingent followed, to reassure us that we really were seeing plants in an English country garden. From the pretty lime-green 'ruffs' of Hacquetia epipactis, a springtime jewel, to the Jack-in-the-beanstalk exuberance of Rosa 'Kiftsgate' which obliterates an apple tree and a pine, we witnessed a collection of great diversity. Ron's penchant for Arisæma was evident with eight cultivars shown, in varying degrees of twists and curls.
Ron is a great advocate of the society's Seed Exchange, being a contributor and a grower: his Cardiocrinum giganteum x yunnanense have flowered after 12 years' patience and care, and some are ready to flower each year. Many of the subjects we saw were raised from the Exchange programme, proving that good plants need not be expensive.
ALNWICK CASTLE GARDEN
Ian August
Ian was on the point of retiring from his post as buildings surveyor and property manager on the Alnwick estate, Northumbria, when a new Duke and Duchess took over 10 years ago. From a predictable routine amid rural peace, he was catapulted into the most audacious and challenging landscaping scheme undertaken in 100 years.
Records of the estate begin in the first millennium; the most significant design was made by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in 1750 and took in 14,000 acres; the second important design was made for the 4th Duke in the 1850s, following his tour of Italy, where he gained the inspiration for an elaborate parterre in high-Victorian Italianate style, complete with statuary and fountains. The banking for this parterre still exists and is listed for retention by English Heritage. Careful excavation has shown that there are no less than 6 gardens under this parterre!
Ian spoke of the dynamism of the young Duchess in driving forward her dream of a world-class garden on the site; she too travelled abroad viewing the best of up-to-date design and bringing back original ideas too. Her controversial choice of the father and son team of Wirtz from Belgium upset some English designers, but it is easy to see their appeal when we look back to their award-winning gardens at Chelsea, involving the 'cloud-clipped' Buxus hedging, the avenues of trained Carpinus and a playful use of water.
And so the 12 acre parterre, once ploughed and filled with forest trees in the 1950s, has been transformed into the kind of water garden only previously attempted in Renaissance times. We were shown scenes resembling a battlefield in rain, and then the transformation into a symphony in stone and water, with descending pools outlined by curving evergreen walls, dancing fountains, and a feeling of fun and movement. At the top of the cascade, hornbeam tunnels with cut-out windows converge into the focal point and take our eye upwards.
The details which followed were a string of superlatives: 6,000 gallons of water per minute, re-cycled through 120 jets and 4 sequences; £40,000 in electricity per year; 2 years and 120 workmen; 35,000 trees from one nursery; manure produced by the estate to fill an area the size of a tennis court; a Friends of Alnwick Garden scheme numbering 10,000 already; a final bill by the end of Phase II of £42 million.
Phase II - how can it compete with the magnificence achieved already? Ian assured us that his main rôle now is to preserve the original aim of creating a garden, and the theme park temptation must never obscure that. The next phase will see the creation of a maze by the expert Adrian Fisher, made with Fargesia rufa grown to head-height. A 'serpent garden', where twisting and swerving yew hedges lead the visitor ever onwards, will feature glass and water sculptures by William Pye, and a Poison Garden will aim to teach, gently, about drug use. Perhaps the most spectacular concept will be to illuminate the playing fountains by night, and end the sequence at the visitors' feet. The spirit of the Villa Lante and the Villa d'Este, where jets of water squirted the visitor in the eye, lives on in Northumbria, and will be the talk of Europe and beyond.
Elaine Taylor
WHAT'S ON IN THE NORTH WEST
National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk)April
Speke Hall: Daffodil and Chionodoxa display - daily
14 Tatton Park: RHS lecture 'Planting Style in Historic
Gardens' John Sales, 7.30 tickets 01625 534428
20 'Hunting Rhododendrons in China & Tibet' Alan Clark
21 Dunham Massey 'What's New in the Garden?' 2pm tour
With head gardener, afternoon tea 0161 941 1025
May
9 Gawthorpe Hall Spring Fair
12 Tatton Park: RHS lecture 'Restoring Tatton Kitchen Garden' Sam Youd; tickets 0207821 3408
16 Sizergh Castle Plant Fair - 12.30 - 4.30
20 Rufford Old Hall 'Behind the Bushes' 7pm tour with Head gardener, strawberries & champagne
01704 823812 (new: wildflower meadow)
June
6 Tatton Park: Orchid Show 10am - 4pm
July
10,11 Dunham Massey: events with a garden theme for families
21-25 Tatton Park: RHS Flower Show - tickets 0870 906 3811
October
17 'Three Generations at Arley' Tom Acton - tickets 01477 537698
20 RHS lecture 'Autumn Colour in the Japanese Garden' Sam Youd 2pm - tickets 0207821 3408
November
21 Tatton Park: 'The RHS Past, Present & Future' Dr Brent Elliott 2.30pm - tickets 01477 537698
RHS (www.rhs.org.uk)
AprilMyerscough College, Garstang: monthly programme of Lectures
May
5 Bluebell Cottage/ Lodge Lane nursery, Warrington: 2pm 'Shade-loving Perennials & Propagation'
8 Muncaster Castle, Cumbria: 'History of the Garden' 10.30
13 Bridgemere Garden World: 'Seasonal Colour' 7.30 pm Paul Matthews - tickets from Bridgemere.
June
16 Bluebell Cottage: 'Creating and Improving a Wildflower Meadow' 2pm
July
4 Alston Hall Plant Fair, Longridge
August
1 Leighton Hall, Carnforth: Plant Fair
4 Bluebell Cottage: 'Plant Selection & Techniques for late Summer Colour' 2pm
Sept
30 Bridgemere: 'Garden Design & Planning' 7.30 Penelope Hobhouse - tickets from Bridgemere
Oct
13 Ness Botanic Gardens: 'Plants of West and Northwest China' 7.30 Dr James Compton - tickets from Ness
GENERAL
April
Bank Hall, Bretherton: the Restoration programme ruin Daffodil walks each Sunday
May
1-3 Meols Hall, Churchtown: Southport Spring Show
June
26,7 Arley Hall, Cheshire: Garden Festival 10am - 5pm
July
4 Alston Hall, Longridge: Plant Fair
August
19-22 Victoria Showground, Southport: Summer Show
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