Programme for 2016

We are pleased to present the programme for 2016 which we hope members, and visitors, will find interesting and enjoyable. As ever meetings are held at Colwall Village Hall and start at 7:30, with complimentary refreshments available from 7:00.  Annual membership, due in January, is £12 and visitors pay £4 per meeting.

Monday 4th January
History and restoration Painswick Rococo Gardens – Paul Moir
Since 1987 Paul has had responsibility for the transformation of an overgrown jungle back to an 18thC Pleasure Ground depicted in a painting of 1748

Monday 1st February
Beneath the Trees: non-woody plants for the woodland garden – Julian Sutton
Sarah and Julian sell Desirable Plants. Julian’s bold intention is to talk of a modest range of immodestly interesting plants from a hard won collection.

Monday 7th March
Loosening up in the garden – Mary Keen
The garden designer and writer explains, as we get older, how to stay in touch with the times; moving towards naturalism being more fashionable than high maintenance horticulture

Monday April 4th
The wonderful world of perennial violas – Jack Willgoss
Wildegoose Nursery holds the UK’s largest collection of perennial violas. Jack will cover their history and cultivation
and offer his top twenty recommended varieties.
The Michael Jefferson-Brown
Spring Flowering Bulb Competition (see Notes)

Monday May 2nd
Within these walls – Steven Desmond
The mysteries of the kitchen garden; Steven Desmond is a Chartered Horticulturist with long experience of the
walled kitchen garden and its working practices.
Annual Plant Sale prior to the meeting

Monday May 16th
Gardeners’ Question Time
(WCHS edition)

Monday 6th June
The greatest gardening tips in the world – Steve Brookes
Steve, a BBC radio & TV gardening presenter, will reflect on 35 years’ collecting amazing, innovative and eco-friendly tips for growing healthier and more productive plants

Monday 20th June
Evening garden visit
Local and social (See Notes)

Monday 4th July
Orchids in the home, their care and re-potting – Ian Parsons
Ian has developed skills over 45 years cultivating these plants; his talk will inform us on how to keep them flourishing.

Tuesday or Thursday 12/14th July
Coach outing to Coventry and Warwick
Depart Village Hall 9am; return for 5pm
(see Notes)

Monday 1st August
Look at That! – Rob Cole
Since 1998 Diane & Rob run Meadow Farm Garden &
Nursery. Their travels to other gardens often brings a surprise,
of one sort or another

Saturday 6th August
73rd Annual Summer Show (see Notes)

Monday 5th September
A complete guide to clematis – Peter Skeggs-Gooch
Surrounded by clematis from the age of five, Peter is hoping to pass on his enthusiasm for the genus with this colourful illustrated talk.

Monday 3rd October
The 30th Percy Picton Memorial Lecture (See Notes)
Troy Scott-Smith – Sissinghurst
In May 2013 Troy became Head Gardener at this iconic garden; his thoughts on development and ideas for all gardeners will make this an intriguing evening.
Also
The Ernest Ballard Aster Competition (see Notes)

Monday 7th November
Easy alpines & low growing perennials – Julie Ritchie
Julie runs Hoo House Nursery and will show a range of small plants grown for year round interest, but without
the need for too much fuss

Monday 5th December
7pm Annual General Meeting
Followed by Mistletoe matters – Jonathan Briggs
Jonathan has studied mistletoe for over 30 years. He will review its biology, history, traditions, commercial
and conservation value, plus its management and future.

Monday 2nd January 2017
I’m not much good at gardening – David Morgan
David is the N. G. S. County Organiser for Worcestershire. Also a gardener who, with wife Di, have opened their
garden for the last ten years.

Notes

The Michael Jefferson Brown Competition is for members only; there are two classes
1. Pot or container of growing flowering bulbs, corms or tubers
2. Vase/container of cut flowers grown from bulbs, corms or tubers.
One entry per person in each class.
Exhibits are judged on quality and presentation. The Trophy
will be awarded for the best overall exhibit

Evening Garden Visit
£5.00 per person; meet village Hall 5.30pm

Coach Trip
Russell’s Garden Centre, Coventry for coffee, loos, Avondale and John Gillies plants.
The Mill Garden Warwick beneath the walls of Warwick Castle. Hill Close Gardens, Warwick; lunch, guided tour and tea
Limited to 50; cost £25.00
£5.00 deposit with booking

Annual Summer Show
Held in Colwall Village Hall from 2pm to 5pm; it has open classes.
The schedule is available at the May meeting

The Percy Picton Memorial Lecture
Admission by ticket only
Reception from 7pm

The Ernest Ballard Aster Competition
A vase of Michaelmas Daisies (perennial asters) of preferably
mixed varieties. The Trophy will be awarded to the best exhibit