Stephen Medley’s Marvellous Garden

 As we approached Stephen’s garden and saw the beautiful street border, we knew were were promised a good garden visit.

Stephen gave us a potted history of the development of his 2 acre plot with free draining sandy loam soil from a virtual field in 1994 to what we saw on our visit.In 1995 the hard landscaping was constructed a professional firm made the front garden with lawns and planted mainly shrubs in the shallow borders.Stephen then took on the challenge of transforming the garden to his taste tackling each bed in turn in a week of his holiday from work. The front garden today is a stunning area, influenced by Piet Oudelf, using matrix planting with grasses and other plants running through. The garden with its sustainable plants, many of which reseeding, and shrubs mostly looks after itself. This doesn’t stop Stephen being out in his garden every day.

We then went through to the back garden which wowed us even more! Five years ago, Stephen had used this area for a project on his RHS course with input from his daughter with her designer background.

 A lovely backdrop of the fields behind

We loved this garden with its plants of different shapes, colours and textures. We took away some ideas and our “plants to buy” lists doubled. Stephen patiently answered our many questions on the names and growing conditions of the plants.

We thanked Stephen for taking the time to show us around his stunning garden and the visit ended with tea and delicious homemade cake, which was kindly provided by a few of our members.

Next meeting: 15^th August – Presentation by Tracy Foster on Tulips

The Dapper Dahlia Expert

Presentation

PETER MATHERS

As always Peter’s talk was full of information and he was resplendent in one of his waistcoats.  He gave us a fascinating talk entitled DIARIES, DAHLIAS AND DEADLINES.
He took us on a journey from halls and castles and gardens known for their literary connections. These included BOLSOVER CASTLE, WORTLEY HALL, MULGRAVE CASTLE, RENISHAW HALL (visit for their bluebells), SHIBDEN HALL,  a London garden square (HEREFORD SQUARE) adjacent to GLOUCESTER ROAD, OXFORD BOTANIC GARDENS AND finally RIPON CATHEDRAL including fascinating insights into who lived or still lives there.

We all had lovely afternoon and enjoyed Liz’s baking.  Ginger and date loaf, and a tray bake of coconut, lime with a passion fruit topping.

The sales table made £47 so a big thank you to everyone who contributed and to Norma who manned the ‘shop’.

Display Table

 

KATE brought  Phlox ‘Blue Paradise’, Allium Angulosum, Monada ‘Deep Purple’,
Lythrum ‘Lady Sackville’, Saponaria ‘Max Frei’

 DOROTHY.    Penstemon, some miniatures, plus a miniature orange rose.   Dorothy doesn’t know their names.

 ANN.  Malvastrum lateritum (from Argentina and Uruguay), Allivin Flavum,
Mina Lobata (Pomoea), Ophiopogan planiscapus,
Dianthus isensis (dancing geisha), Tanacetum, Houttuynia Cordata

ANN.   Mandrake seed heads.     Flowers in January with purple flowers

TREVOR.  Dahlia ‘Arabian Night’ plus two unnamed dahlias.   Trevor bought a seed packet of pompom dahlias, nurtured them and was disappointed as not a pompom in sight!

Next Meeting

1^st August – Visit to Steven Medley’s garden in Mirfield. Members will receive full details by email.

Friday Forum Summer Show

 The numerous entries for our Summer Show brightened up the hall. Those gaining first place were awarded prizes. Judging was carried out by John Freer, who shared his knowledge about showing plants as well as giving us useful tips for future shows. Sandra judged the flower displays, Dorothy efficently completed the administration and Liz provided scones with strawberries. Our thanks go to all of them.

Here are photos of the entries and the winners of each category

 Class 1:  One stem Floribunda Rose

 1st prize - Eric

 Class 2:  One stem any other Rose

 1st prize - Brenda

 

1st prize for Class 4 one vase of Sweet Peas goes to Eric

 

 Class 5:  One vase cut flowers judged for frontal effect

Class 6:  One pot plant, flowering and 1st prize goes to Amanda

Class 7:  One pot plant non-flowering

1st prize - Norma

Class 8:  Exhibit of Fruit or Vegetable

1st prize - Dorothy

Class 9:  Posy for a bridesmaid.  1st prize - Amanda

Class 10:  A vase of flowers for pollinators

1st prize - Amanda

1st prize - Amanda

 

Congratulations to all, especially to Amanda for gaining first prize in four categories!

Display Table

Ann brought Fillependula ‘Red Umbrella’ which thrives in damp soil

Kate’s jug contains: Phlox ‘Franz Schubert’, Spiraea ‘Little Princess’, Dianthus carthusianorum, Astrantia maxima, Allium angulosum, Tradescantia, Persicaria ‘Pink Elephant’, Persicaria ‘Blackfield’, Betonica officinales ‘Hummels’ (was Stachys) and Rosa The Fairy

Next Meetings

18th July: Presentation - Peter Mathers. Diaries, Dahlias and Deadlines

1st August: Visit to Steven Medley’s garden in Mirfield. Further details tba.

Visit to Delph Cottage Garden

Friday Forum members Spent a very enjoyable afternoon at Delph Cottage in Methley where we were entertained by Colin, a master delphinium grower,  He chatted to us about his methods for producing the amazing show of delphiniums he grows in his back garden. Colin now has the national collection of delphiniums with over 100 different named cultivars. 

There can be no better way to spend a summer afternoon than in a gorgeous garden with lovely company and delicious tea and  homemade cakes baked by Colin's partner, Alison.