PAST EVENTS
See all our past events and read the full reports
being head gardener at canterbury cathedral
a talk by Philip Oostenbrink
Lower Hadres Village Hall, CT4 5NP
Sunday 23 February 2020, 2.30pm
Philip Oostenbrink, Head Gardener at the Cathedral, will tell us about this historic and beautiful garden.
GARDEN VISIT IN FAWKHAM
The Old Rectory, Fawkham
Thursday 13 February, 2.00pm
A chance for members to see Karin Proudfoot’s snowdrops. The middle of February should be the ideal time to see them at their best.
CORYDALIS
a talk by Brian Wickenden
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn, TN27 9NR
Sunday 26 January 2020, 2.30pm
National Collection holder and expert on Corydalis, will give us the lowdown on this fascinating plant.
Christmas Wreath Workshop
Detling Village Hall
Tuesday 10 December 2019, 10.00am -12.45pm
Just in time for the season’s festivities, we have a arranged a workshop, where members will be shown how to make beautiful Christmas wreaths.
Members' Christmas Party
Tunstall Village Memorial Hall, ME10 1YZ
Sunday 8 December 2019, 11am – 3pm
Time once again for members to get together and have fun.
The Winter Garden
a talk by Val Bourne
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn, TN27 9NR
Sunday 24 November 2019, 2.30pm
Val Bourne is an award-winning garden author with a vast knowledge of plants and gardens. She will talk about some of the plants that can make a garden stunning in the winter months.
late summer colour
a talk by Derry Watkins
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn, TN27 9NR
Sunday 27 October 2019, 2.30pm
We look forward to a return visit from Derry, who is well known to many of us. She is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable plantswoman with a particular love of flowering plants.
Plant hunters
a talk by Stephen Harmer
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn, TN27 9NR
Sunday 22 September 2019, 2.30pm
Stephen is a passionate garden historian with a lively sense of humour who will tell us about plant hunters and the plants they introduced.
propagation workshop
Wrotham Heath
Thursday 19 September 2019, 10.30am – 1.00pm
Colin Moat has very kindly offered to hold another workshop on plant propagation, this time in the autumn rather than spring.
Garden Visit in Ramsgate
Chapel House, Ramsgate
Saturday 14 September 2019, 2.30pm
A visit for members only to an Arts & Crafts style garden surrounding a converted 13th century chapel with a huge range of interesting plants.
GARDEN VISIT IN Ash
12 Woods Ley, Ash
Wednesday 4 September 2019, 2.30pm
Philip Oostenbrink gave us a fascinating tour of the Canterbury Cathedral gardens two years ago and this is an opportunity for members to visit his private garden.
Garden Visit in Teynham
Norton Court, Teynham
Tuesday 20 August 2019, 2.30pm
A visit for members only to a 10-acre garden in a parkland setting, with mature trees, topiary, clipped yew hedges and wide lawns.
GARDEN VISIT IN Chestfield
43 The Ridings, Chestfield
Wednesday 17 July 2019, 2.30pm
A chance to visit the beautiful garden of fellow members Sylvie and David Sayers, a small space brimming with interesting plants both in the front and behind the house.
Day Trip
The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park
Tuesday 25 June 2019
A visit by coach to The Savill Garden, a renowned 35-acre garden created in the 1930s by Sir Eric Savill, with the encouragement of King George V, and continually refreshed since then with new landscaping, plantings and displays.
GARDEN VISIT IN POSTLING
Churchfield, Postling
Friday 31 May 2019, 2.30pm
A visit for members only to a 5-acre garden with large ponds, home to wildfowl and fish, and surrounded by drifts of primula, large-leaved herbaceous plants, bamboo and ferns.
GARDEN VISIT IN YALDING
Hill Farm Oast, Yalding
Saturday 4 May 2019, 2.30pm
A visit for members only to a six-acre garden with a large collection of trees and shrubs, a developing stumpery with shade-loving plants, and a dry garden with agaves and succulents.
GARDEN LORE – FACT or FICTION
a talk by Jude Lawton
Platt Memorial Hall, St. Mary’s Platt, TN15 8FH
Sunday 28 April 2019, 2.30pm
Jude’s talk will look at some of the many perceived ‘rules’ of gardening she has encountered, and consider their value – or otherwise. We expect a lively discussion after her talk!
SPECIAL SPRING MEETING
Lenham Community Centre, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2QT
Sunday 24 March 2019 from 11.15am
Our very popular Spring Meeting combines an indoor plant fair and photographic competition with our usual lecture meeting. The talk is by Andrew Ward from Norwell Nurseries.
Willow Weaving workshop
Wildwood Trust, near Herne Bay
Saturday 9 March 2019 10.00am – 1.00pm
An opportunity for members to find out about willow growing and make a wigwam plant support to take home for your garden.
New Plants - the future for your garden
A talk by Graham Spencer
Lower Hardres Village Hall, CT4 5NP
Sunday 24 February 2019, 2.30pm
Come and find out about some of the exciting new plants that are being bred for our gardens.
Tulips - the National Collection
a talk by Simon Wallis
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn, TN27 9NR
Sunday 27 January 2019, 2.30pm
Simon will tell us about the National Collection of Tulipa species held at Cambridge University Botanic Garden.
Members' Christmas Party
Tunstall Village Memorial Hall, ME10 1YZ
Sunday 9 December 2018, 11am – 3pm
Time once again for members to get together and have fun.
Seasonal Delights around the Garden
a talk by Ben Potterton
Ryarsh Village Hall, Ryarsh, ME19 5LS
Sunday 25 November 2018, 2.30pm
Members on the tour to Norfolk recall their visit to Ben’s nursery and wildlife park and are looking forward to meeting him again.
Fern Workshop
with Jude Lawton
Ryarsh Village Hall, Ryarsh, ME19 5LS
Thursday 15 November 2018,10.00am – 1.00pm
We will find out, from fern enthusiast Jude Lawton, how to cultivate and propagate this popular group of plants.
30th Anniversary Celebration
A talk by Bob Brown followed by 30th Anniversary Celebration
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn, TN27 9NR
Sunday 28 October 2018, 2.30pm
We are looking forward to welcoming Bob Brown to talk to us again on this special occasion.
Choice Plants for Pollinators
a talk by Marina Christopher
Platt Memorial Hall, St. Mary’s Platt, TN15 8FH
Sunday 23 September 2018, 2.30pm
A welcome return of Marina Christopher to talk about plants that will encourage pollinators to our gardens throughout the season.
garden visit near Sandwich
Sweetbriar, Ash, near Sandwich
Monday 10 September 2018, 2pm
A visit for members only to a beautiful garden.
garden visit in Ash
Marshborough Farmhouse, Ash, near Sandwich
Friday 17 August 2018, 2pm
A visit for members only to a beautiful garden.
garden tea party
South Grange, Northiam
Saturday 21 July 2018, 2 – 5pm
We are looking forward to another successful Garden Tea Party. There’ll be a wonderful garden, plants to buy, a raffle, a quiz, music and, of course, a delicious homemade tea.
garden visit in Rochester
Restoration House, Rochester
Thursday 5 July 2018, 2pm
An opportunity for members to visit this historic house and its gardens.
garden visit in fordwich
Watergate House, Fordwich
Tuesday 1 May 2018 3pm
A visit for members only to a beautiful spring garden.
STARS OF SPRING GARDENS
a talk by Kevin Hughes
Smarden Charter Hall, Smarden TN27 8NF
Sunday 22 April 2018, 2.30pm
Kevin Hughes is well known to Kent Group members as an excellent speaker who is sure to bring us some unusual plants. This will be followed by our Seedling Swap.
spring indoor plant fair
Lenham Community Centre, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2QT
Sunday 25 March 2018 from 11.15am
It’s time once again for our very popular Spring Indoor Plant Fair where you can browse and buy from nurseries in the comfort of a warm hall. Come and find something special.
SPECIAL SPRING MEETING
Lenham Community Centre, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2QT
Sunday 25 March 2018 from 11.15am
Our very popular Spring Meeting combines an indoor plant fair and photographic competition with our usual lecture meeting. The talk, entitled ‘Early Spring-Flowering Perennials’, is by Rosy Hardy from Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants.
Witch Hazels
a talk by Chris Lane
Lower Hardres Village Hall, CT4 5NP
Sunday 25 February 2018, 2.30pm
Chris holds one of the National Collections of Hammamelis. Members visited his nursery and now look forward to hearing more about this beautiful shrub.
snowdrops and other early-flowering plants
a talk by Tim Ingram
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn, TN27 9NR
Sunday 28 January 2018, 2.30pm
Tim will give us a taste of what we can grow at this time of year.
Members' Christmas Party
Tunstall Village Memorial Hall, ME10 1YZ
Sunday 10 December 2017, 10.30am – 4.30pm
Time once again for members to get together and have fun.
Late Flowering Perennials and Grasses
a talk by Graham Gough
Platt Memorial Hall, St. Mary’s Platt, TN15 8FH
Sunday 26 November 2017, 2.30pm
Graham is well known to many members as an excellent and inspirational speaker. Come and be inspired!
the arts and crafts movement and its gardens
a talk by Stephen Harmer
Platt Memorial Hall, St. Mary’s Platt, TN15 8FH
Sunday 29 October 2017, 2.30pm
Our speaker will give us a fascinating insight into a very popular period of garden history.
Beervelde Park Plant Fair
Beervelde Park, Ghent, Belgium
Friday 6 October 2017
A day trip to Beervelde’s Autumn Plant Fair. Acres of park and gardens, fabulous plants, friendly people and lots more.
Book a place to enjoy a great day out.
the botanical gardener
a talk by Julian Sutton
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn TN27 9NR
Sunday 24 September 2017, 2.30pm
Come and find out about the pleasure to be had from learning botanical names.
Garden Visit in Canterbury
Canterbury Cathedral
Saturday 2 September 2017, 11am
A rare chance to see inside the Cathedral gardens.
garden tea party
Orchard House, Claygate, Marden
Saturday 29 July 2017, 2 – 5pm
Following the huge success of last year’s Tea Party we are organizing another this summer but in a different part of the county.
Garden Visit in Benenden
Balmoral Cottage, Benenden
Monday 19 June 2017, 2pm
A visit for members only to a beautiful garden.
Garden Visit in East Farleigh
Timbers, East Farleigh
Tuesday 9 May 2017, 2pm
A visit for members only to a beautiful spring garden.
English love affair with iris
a talk by Sue Marshall
Smarden Charter Hall, Smarden TN27 8NF
Sunday 23 April 2017, 2.30pm
Sue is the owner of Iris of Sissinghurst, a specialist nursery dealing only in iris, and will give us the benefit of her long experience. This will be followed by our Seedling Swap.
Garden Visit in Ivy Hatch
White House Farm, Ivy Hatch, Ightham
Thursday 13 April 2017, 1.30pm
A visit for members only to a garden with collections of trees and shrubs.
Garden Visit in East Sutton
Boyton Court, East Sutton
Saturday 25 March 2017, 1.00pm
A return visit for members only to a stunning garden.
Special Spring Meeting
Lenham Community Centre, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2QT
Sunday 19 March 2017 from 11am
Our very popular Spring Meeting combines an indoor plant fair and photographic competition with our usual lecture meeting. The talk, entitled ‘Exotic Gardening’, is by Fergus Garrett from Great Dixter in East Sussex.
Spring indoor plant fair
Lenham Community Centre, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2QT
Sunday 19 March 2017 from 11am
It’s time once again for our very popular Spring Indoor Plant Fair where you can browse and buy from nurseries in the comfort of a warm hall. Come and find something special.
Succession Planting
a talk by Steve Edney
Lower Hardres Village Hall, CT4 5NP
Sunday 26 February 2017, 2.30pm
Steve will show how to plant to have something beautiful to look at throughout the year.
The Olympic Park
a talk by Alistair Bayford
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn TN27 9NR
Sunday 29 January 2017, 2.30pm
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has been opened to the public and we will find out how it looks after the games and plans for the future.
Members' Christmas Party
Tunstall Village Memorial Hall, ME10 1YZ
Sunday 11 December 2016, 10.30am – 4.30pm
Time once again for Kent Group members to get together and have fun!
Less Familiar Trees and Shrubs
a talk by Kevin Hughes
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn TN27 9NR
Sunday 27 November 2016, 2.30pm
Want something a little more unusual to pep up your garden? Come and find out some of the possibilities.
Ferns for the Garden
a talk by Jude Lawton
Lower Hardres Village Hall, CT4 5NP
Sunday 30 October 2016, 2.30pm
Find out about these fascinating plants, which add wonderful texture to the garden.
autumn fireworks
a talk by Annie Godfrey
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn TN27 9NR
Sunday 25 September 2016, 2.30pm
Come and hear from an expert all about these lovely autumn-flowering plants.
garden visit in acrise
Mounts Court Farmhouse, Acrise, near Folkestone
Wednesday 24 August 2016, 10.30am
A not-to-be-missed opportunity, for members only, to see this stunning garden.
garden tea party
West Court Lodge, Postling, near Hythe
Saturday 6 August 2016, 2 – 5pm
A delicious home-made tea and the chance to spend the afternoon in two lovely gardens and to chat with friends.
garden visit in herne
Hawe Farmhouse, Herne, near Herne Bay
Wednesday 13 July 2016, 2.30pm
A visit for members only to a beautiful mature garden with herbaceous borders and roses and clematis scrambling over trellis and up trees.
garden visit in east sutton
Boyton Court, East Sutton
Wednesday 15 June 2016, 10.30am and 2.00pm
A return visit for members only to a garden with spectacular views over the Weald.
garden visit in elsted
Oak Cottage and Swallowfields Nursery, Elmsted
Tuesday 31 May 2016, 10am
A visit for members only to a garden with unusual plants amongst cottage garden flowers.
Beervelde Park Plant Fair
Beervelde Park, Ghent, Belgium
Saturday 7 May 2016
A day trip to the amazing Spring Plant Fair in Beervelde, where the 50-acre estate is a beautiful setting for the 200 exhibitors.
April meeting
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn TN27 9NR
Sunday 24 April 2016, 2.30pm
‘Spring-Flowering Perennials’ a talk by Rosy Hardy from the well-known nursery, Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants. This will be followed by our Seedling Swap.
Garden Visit in Newington
Witch Hazel Nursery, Newington
Saturday 9 April 2016, 10.30am
The nursery specialises in Hamamelis and contains one of the three National Plant Collections as well as many other woody plants.
spring indoor plant fair
Lenham Community Centre, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2QT
Sunday 20 March 2016 from 11am
It’s time once again for our very popular Spring Indoor Plant Fair where you can browse and buy from nurseries in the comfort of a warm hall. Come and find something special.
special spring meeting
Lenham Community Centre, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2QT
Sunday 20 March 2016 from 11am
Our very popular Spring Meeting combines an indoor plant fair and photographic competition with our usual lecture meeting. The talk, entitled ‘Plant Hunting in Colombia’, is by Bleddyn Wynne-Jones, well-known plantsman from Crûg Farm Plants.
plant fair
Goodnestone Park Gardens, Wingham, near Canterbury CT3 1PL
Sunday 28 February 2016, 11am to 4pm
Specialist nurseries will be selling unusual varieties of both snowdrops and hellebores as well as many other spring bulbs, shrubs and perennials.
SNOWDROP & HELLEBORE EXTRAVAGANZA
Goodnestone Park Gardens, Wingham, near Canterbury CT3 1PL
Sunday 28 February 2016, 11am to 4pm
Everything you need to cheer up the dull February days – a lovely garden, a plant fair and an interesting lecture.
Plant Fair – Headcorn
Saturday 20 September 2014, 11am to 1.30pm
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn TN27 9NR
Specialist nurseries and Hardy Plant Society members will be selling unusual plants.
Come and buy something special!
Talking Plants – Woodnesborough **
Woodnesborough, near Sandwich
Thursday 28 August 2014, 2.30pm
A visit to member’s garden by a small group so that they all have a chance to discuss the plants they see.
This event is for members only and must be pre-booked.
Practical Workshop – Small green roofs for bird and insect houses **
Warehorne, near Ashford
Tuesday 5 August 2014, 11.30am to 3.00pm
This event is for members only and must be pre-booked.
Garden Visit – Leeds **
Arnold Yoke, Leeds, Near Maidstone
Tuesday 15 July 2014, 2.30pm
Arnold Yoke is a two-year-old garden adjacent to a recently restored 15th century farmhouse.
This event is for members only and must be pre-booked.
Garden Tour to Norfolk
Garden Tour to Norfolk Sunday 29 June to Wednesday 2 July 2014
Practical Workshop – Snowdrop propagation **
Wednesday 25 June 2014 10am Carolyn Millen Sutton Valence This event is for members only and must be pre-booked. The subject of this workshop is the chipping of snowdrop bulbs and Carolyn and her daughter Julie will explain the preparation of the bulbs and the method...
Garden Visit – West Malling **
Went House, West Malling Wednesday 18 June 2014 2.30pm This event is for members only and must be pre-booked. Went House is a Queen Anne house surrounded by a secret garden with a stream. There are specimen trees, old roses and mixed borders, an attractive large...
Garden Tea Party **
Saturday 7 June 2014 2pm to 5pm Faversham This event is for members only and must be pre-booked. After some very successful garden parties a few years ago we are arranging a Garden Tea Party this summer at a member’s garden near Faversham. There will be an HPS plant...
Workshop – Large garden, small budget, unusual plants **
Wednesday 4 June 2014, 10am to12.30pm
Canterbury
Plant Fair – Godinton House
Sunday 18 May 2014, 11am to 4pm
Godinton House, Godinton Lane, Ashford TN23 3BP
