Snowdrops are flavour of the month
Snowdrops are certainly flavour of the month. There are events all over the country – gardens open, garden walks, special lectures and the gardening press is full of snowdrop articles. Even BBC News is in on the act. Read more
Day trip to Beervelde planned for May 2012
In October 2010 Kent Group members went on a trip to the Autumn Plant Fair at Beervelde Park, near Ghent in Belgium. Many requests for a repeat visit have resulted in another trip being planned for May this year. Full details and booking form are in the Winter 2012 Newsletter but if you’d like a reminder of what a great time our members had, here’s a report, which was published in last winter’s newsletter. Read more
A wander round Mount Ephraim in September
On Sunday 11 September 2011 we had a plant fair at Mount Ephraim, Hernhill, near Faversham. Although gusty, it stayed dry and the garden was quite sheltered so I had a most enjoyable afternoon wandering round and here are some of the photographs I took. I hope you enjoy them.
It is a really lovely garden with many interesting features, views across the countryside – to the Swale in one direction – and some fabulous trees.
Don’t miss the last plant fair of the season
Where did the summer go? Our September Plant Fair at Mount Ephraim on Sunday 11th is the last chance to buy plants at an HPS event this year. But, as luck would have it, it’s the very best time for planting. So, go ahead and buy some wonderful, colourful, unusual, even rare plants while the soil is warm and moist enough to give them a great start.
Full details here.
Snowdrop and Hellebore Extravaganza 2011
Over 700 visitors enjoyed the Snowdrop and Hellebore Extravaganza at Goodnestone Park Gardens on Sunday 20 February.
Hardy Plant Society members staged a wonderful display of winter shrubs and early-flowering plants together with photographs. Katie Price, from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, entralled packed audiences at her lectures on ‘Spring Beauties’, when she spoke on erythroniums, epimediums and trilliums.
Visitors found snowdrops and hellebores as well as a selection of winter shrubs, bulbs and plants on the nursery stalls arranged in front of the house. And, although it was a dull, cold day and muddy in places, they also enjoyed a walk in the garden where, in spite of the weather, they could see definite signs of spring.
Click here to enjoy a slideshow of images.
Seeds! Seeds! Seeds!
HPS seed lists are, I trust, dropping through members’ letter boxes right now, along with those from seed companies, all encouraging us to grow something from seed.
There can’t be a gardener alive who doesn’t get a thrill from seeing those first shoots appear through the soil, so I urge you to study the list and get your order in early. For just £5 towards administration costs, you can choose 20 packets. I know they don’t always germinate and sometimes aren’t what they purport to be, and that can be disappointing, but when some fabulous plants that you’ve grown come into flower, perhaps that won’t seem so important. Read more
Snowdrop Workshop ***
Wednesday 17 February 2010
10.15am to 3pm
Hunton Village Hall, Hunton,
near Maidstone ME15 0RR map
This event is for members only and must be pre-booked.
Full details >>
BOOK NOW!
You will find the booking form in the Autumn newsletter.
Fergus Garrett inspires audience
Fergus Garrett, Head Gardener at Great Dixter, kept a packed house enthralled at Benenden on Sunday 22 February as he explained how he and his staff keep the gardens looking so good throughout the year. Read more
Snowdrop & Hellebore Extravaganza – a great success!
The Snowdrop & Hellebore Extravaganza held at Goodnestone Park on Sunday 15 February 2009 was judged to be a great success.
Click on the thumbnails in the gallery below to see images taken at the event. Read more
Last chance to visit Glen Chantry
2009 will be the last year that the gardens and nursery at Glen Chantry, in Essex, will be open to the public. Wol and Sue Staines have decided to retire after 25 years of opening to the gardening public.
The garden and nursery will be open in 2009 from 15th May to 15th August, inclusive, on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. So, if you want to return to this lovely garden or visit for the first time this is your last chance – put the dates in your diary.
Check out their website www.glenchantry.demon.co.uk
