Summer Social at Fullers Mill, West Stow, Suffolk
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- Written by: Irene Tibbenham
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Summer Social at Fullers Mill, West Stow, Suffolk, Thursday 6th August
After a truly sizzling day of high temperatures, twenty-nine of us spent a chilled evening armed with a picnic and prosecco at the secluded plantsman’s garden of Bernard Tickner, nestled in the wooded area around the River Lark. In characteristic fashion, the sales table, full of unusual and rare ‘gems’ propagated on-site, was surrounded by people passionate about plants and eager to support Perennial, a charity supporting people in horticulture; alongside visitors who’d sacrificed watching the 2nd Day of the Test match between England and Pakistan on TV, for this excellent cause.
Staff and volunteers from Fullers Mill provided sanitised, socially-distanced tables under the welcome shade of trees, seemingly pruned for this very task. A trustee from Perennial delivered a talk describing the history and aims of the charity, sandwiched between visitors’ multiple excursions made to various parts of this tranquil water garden, which clearly was not suffering water stress - thanks to the high water table - which many of our gardens were currently enduring at this time.
Conversations around Covid-19’s impact dominated much of the discussions, with many of us grateful to be amongst familiar friends, and thankful to be living here.
Irene Tibbenham
Garden Visit: Tyger Barn, Toft Monks, 11th July
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- Written by: Jan Oakley
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Twenty-Five members and guests were warmly welcomed by Julianne Fernadez to her lovely garden on a bright and breezy July afternoon. This was a much belated first garden visit of the season and all the more welcome because of the late start.
Tyger Barn is close to Beccles, situated in an elevated position which leaves the garden somewhat exposed to easterly gales as Julianne explained. The garden was created by Julianne to blend into the surrounding meadow and ancient woodland, using the Japanese concept of shakkei or borrowed landscape. There are a number of distinct areas in the garden with a mixture of herbaceous borders, sheltered courtyards and a wild flower meadow which a plethora of butterflies and bees were enjoying.
The herbaceous borders meander around the garden in a relaxed and informal river of colour and texture with the wild flower meadow in the centre. It was lovely to wander around the garden, albeit at a social distance, with our fellow members catching up on all their news.
Jan Oakley
The Purple Border
The Secret Garden
The Courtyard
Wild Flower Meadow
Herbaceous Border
Indoor Meeting: Talk by Annie Godfrey "Some Like it Hot"
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- Written by: Susan Hall
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Saturday, 8th February 2020
SOME LIKE IT HOT by ANNIE GODFREY
Annie Godfrey's nursery, 'Daisy Roots', in Hertford specialises in hardy perennials and grasses. She has won Gold Medals at both Chelsea and Hampton Court for her drought tolerant displays.
Annie explained the varied methods by which plants adapt to survive in drought conditions. Pictures of two well known dry gardens, at Beth Chatto's and Hyde Hall showed plants such as Lavender and Santolina growing in low humps which protects from wind and with small leaves to reduce transpiration.
A covering of white hairs reflect the sun's rays A good example of this is Salvia argentea with leaves smothered in cuddly fur. A waxy bloom reduces water loss and succulents store water to use in case of drought. Some Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, fennel and sage have oils in their leaves which burn fast and enables them to regenerate following a fire. Root systems are another drought buster so bulbs are generally dormant during the hottest weather and deep rooted plants such as Verbascums can access water from low down.
We were treated to lovely pictures of plantings in Annie's own garden and in those of her clients. Each picture included a useful list of the featured plants and Annie gave details of planting and care.
It is hard to imagine that we will need drought tolerant plants after the excessively wet winter we have endured but this is what climate change threatens and Annie's talk enthused us all with the wonderful variety of suitable plants.
Indoor Meeting: Talk by Andrew Ward "Plants that Excite"
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- Written by: Linda Hall
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Saturday, 14th March 2020
Dr Andrew Ward, Norwell Nurseries & Gardens (www.norwellnurseries.co.uk) spoke to our group on “Plants that Excite!” although he said the title should probably be “Plants that Excite Me!” The talk was educational and entertaining coupled with wonderful anecdotes and touching reminiscences. Andrew had helpfully handed out a list of plants he would be talking about, most of which are available through his nursery, so note-taking was a pleasure – the full list is below but here are some notes of just a few:-
Corydalis elata – coral stems with lime green foliage. It has a scent – like a freshly creosoted fence!
Codonopsis clematidea – A real beauty, take a look inside the flowers, like a kaleidoscope.
Meconopsis punicea – 4” red petals like crinkled silk. Six weeks of exquisiteness.
Ribes speciosum – arching canes of red flowers which came through the winter of 2010. No scent. Come September/October it loses its foliage but by November it is completely re-clothed.
Lobelia ‘Red Compliment’ - silvery hairy stems deter moluscs. Red flowered plants tend to be pollinated by birds.
Geum ‘Rubin’ - flowers double/triple those of ‘Mrs Bradshaw’.
Potentilla ‘William Rollinson’ - flamboyant, not often seen.
Hemorocallis ‘Frans Hals’ - suffered no-ill effects from standing in water during recent winter flooding.
Geranium aristatum – been 20 years in the same position in his garden. A bit flouncy, swept back petals. Regency colours. Andrew thinks it should be of the aristocracy.
Geranium renardii – textured, beautiful leaf. Front of sunny border. Parent of G. ‘Phillippe Vapelle’.
Geranium ‘Ann Folkard’ - result of 10 year breeding programme by Rev. Oliver Folkard and named after his wife. Grow in through Artemisia ‘Powys Castle’.
Corydalis ‘George Baker’ - great planted with Lysimachia ‘Fire Cracker’
Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Golden Bells’ - don’t bother with straight bulbocodium, go for named varieties.
Andrew concluded his talk by saying we ought to appreciate the stalwarts of our gardens. It is wonderful to go into the garden every day and notice new start, new hope and excitement.
He circulated a hand-out of plants he would be talking about, most of which are sold by his nursery:-
Delphinium Bell. “Volkerfrieden”
Salvia “Caradonna”
Veronica “Kapitan”
Corydalis flexuosa
Corydalis elata
Phlox “Chattahoochee”
Codonopsis clematidea
Meconopsis “Lingholm”
Meconopsis punicea
Embothiium cocc. “Norquinco”
Ribes speciosum
Loblia “Red Compliment”
Lobelia tupa
Achillea “Red Velvet”
Geum “Rubin”
Potentilla “Etna”
Potentilla thurberi “Monarchs Velvet”
Potentilla tonguei
Potentilla “William Rollinson”
Crocosmia “Lucifer”
Crocosmia “Jackanapes”
Iris sibirica “Blauweismotte”
Iris “Frans Hals”
Hemereocallis “Frans Hals”
Hemerocallis “Corky”
Hemerocallis “Catherine Woodberry”
Hemerocallis “Mauna Loa”
Hemerocallis “Night Beacon”
Geranium phaeum “Langhorns Blue”
Geranium phaeum album
Geranium phaeum “Rose Madder”
Geranium phaeum “Samobor”
Geranium aristatum
Geranium “Mrs Kendall Clarke”
Geranium pratense “Roseum”
Geranium renardii
Geranium “Phillippe Vapelle”
Geranium “Anne Folkard”
Geranium lambertii
Leucanthemum “Phyllis Smith”
Agapanthus “Margery Fish”
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
Dactylorhiza foliosa
Hedychium gardnerianum
Corydalis “George Baker”
Primula sibthorpii
Narcissus “Golden Bells”
Leucojum “Gravetye Giant”
Lathyrus vernus “Alboroseus”
Erythronium “White Beauty”
Erythronium revolutum
Erythronium “Pagoda”
Muscari paradoxum
Adenophora tashiroi
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