The High Line of New York

 

Presentation: The High Line of New York by Dawn Johnson

Dawn, a garden designer and Chelsea Gold winner, took us down the High Line of New York in her talk entitled: A dream, an idea a public park. Starting with photos of the earlier constructed Promenade Plantée in Paris, we learnt how a foundation was set up to transform an abandoned area in New York which had previously housed a freight line into a public park. With water features, play areas, sculptures, art work and a variety of seating made from reclaimed and recycled material, this 3.5 mile stretch is open to the public. The area is planted up with 90,000 different plants and is looked after by gardeners and volunteers. This was no mean feat considering the shallow depth of the soil in which trees, shrubs and flowers had to be planted. Dawn gave us a fascinating insight into how it was all achieved.

Display Table

 

Kate brought Iris, Azalea ‘Rosa’, Persicaria bistorta superba, Silene fimbriata, Geranium, Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) ‘Hardwick Hall’

Liz brought Dodecatheon ‘Red Light’, a Pacific Coast Iris ‘Broadleigh Rose’, Astrantia ‘Bo-Ann’, Heuchera ‘Beaujolais’ and Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ 

 Dorothy brought Centaurea  cyannus, Clematis Arabella, Poppy orientalis, Spanish bluebell, Aquilegia and another small flower which members thought was a rockery Phlox

 Judith brought the double Meconopsis, Erysimum, Heuchera, the attractive foliage of Filipendula ‘Red Umbrella’, Rose ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ (a gift from Friday Forum), Tellima and a white Aquilegia

Amanda brought Gladiolus, Welsh Onion seed head, double Lily of the Valley, Perennial stock, Nemesia, Rosemary, 3 Erysimums and Daphne

Katherine H brought Peony, Euphorbia chameleon, Persicaria ‘Red Dragon’, Ravenswing, various Geraniums, Euphorbia polystichum, Allium’Purple Sensation’, Tiarella, Tellima, Euonymus Emerald and Gold and Peltaria

Next Meetings

6^th June – We are constructing bug hotels so please bring suitable materials such as pine cones, hollow stems, bamboo canes, wood with holes in etc.  

20^th June - Visit to Colin Parton’s garden Delphinium Cottage.  Full details TBA

May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope – Emily Brontë

 Finery in Flowers

Members were asked to create a piece of clothing or fashion accessory using mainly flowers.

The entries were fabulous and very different. Members were then asked to select the best three who were awarded a plant as a prize.

 Third Prize went to Liz with her antique evening bag

 

 Second prize went to Judith with her elegant scarf and beads

 First prize was awarded to Norma with her gardening clogs

 

Norma and Judith with their prizes.  Liz was making tea in the kitchen!

Display Table

 

                            Norma brought a sprig from her Fothergilla shrub

Judith brought a yellow, perennial Erysimum with variegated foliage with turns a shade of purple in
the Winter
  

 

Next Meeting

16^th May – The High Line in New York by Dawn Johnson