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. 

"The smallest creatures often hold the key to the grandest mysteries of our ecosystems." - Rachel Carson

Bug Hotels

Members constructed bug hotels from wooden structures and tin cans using a variety of materials such as moss, straw, twigs and pine cones.

Some of the bug hotels were made by Chris VH

Katherine used this wooden utensil holder

The finished products

Suzanne's deluxe model

Bug hotels should preferably be placed out of the wind, away from the rain and have a waterproof roof.

These were no ordinary hotels, these were five star, luxury residencies for insects and bees.

Display Table

 Norma brought Erysimum with varieted leaves which were grown from cuttings of  Judith’s plant in sand, compost and rooting powder

Maggie brought a fragrant bouquet of Rosa “Pink Perpetué”, Rosa “Iceberg”, Clematis “Pangbourne Pink”, Rosa “blush Noissette” and Rosa Glauca

 Ann brought Crinodendron Hookerianum, Clematis Lampton Park, Rosa Penelope, Rosa Golden Showers, Salix babylonica crispa and a flower received in a gifted bouquet which was identified as Ornithogalum (Arabian Starflower, Star of Bethlehem, or Sun Star)

 Judith brought Prunella grandiflora

 Kate brought some stunning Hosta leaves: Abiqua Drinking Gourd, Empress Wu, Orange Marmalade, Snake Eyes, Paradise Island, Paul’s Glory, Blue Ivory, Blue Mouse Ears, Liberty and one which is thought to be June

Gardening Matters

Paxton show is on 21^st June  at the OPAL Centre, 55 Bedford Drive, Cookridge LS16 6DJ which also includes a craft category. Exhibitors should arrive 8.30 – 12.30.Any donations of cakes, money, plants to sell or help in the kitchen will be appreciated

Cookridge Show is on September 13^th

Addingham Open Gardens charity event returns on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June 2025, entrance £6

Next Meetings:

Friday 20th June at 1.30pm.  Visit to Delph Cottage Garden, 51 Newmarket Lane, Methley LS26 9DN.

Friday 4^th July – Friday Forum Mini Show

Full details can be found on member's emails