May all your weeds be wild flowers

Georgia Gilbert who is Head of Wild Flower at John Chambers Wildflowers gave us a very interesting presentation. Georgia, who has qualifications in Horticulture and in Landscape Architecture is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the natural environment. We learnt about native species of wildflowers, where they can be found, from meadows to garden pots and the importance of wildflowers for insects and birds who rely on them for pollination. Georgia encouraged us to participate in the annual Big Butterfly Count Big Butterfly Count which is a UK wide survey in July/August which gives a key indicator of the health of our environment simply by counting butterflies.

Display Table

There was plenty to see on the display table:

Amanda brought Double Wood Anemone Vestal, Narcissus Tahlia, Wallflower from a cutting, Erysimum Parish, the fragrant Daphne transatlantica, Epimedium, Pulmonaria longifolia, Rosemary, Camellia, Pasque flower.

 Judith’s display contains Purple and White Honesty, Euphorbia polychroma and Robbiae, Syngonium, Iberis, Hellebore, Larmiun Ovale

 

 Kate brought Melica uniflora, Epimedium Frohnleiten, Brunnera Alexander’s Great, Vinca minor, Erysimum, Teucrium Indyho, Viola sororia Freckles, Trillium grandiflorum

 Maggie Y brought Camassia, Omphalodes, Lamium Archangel, Celandine Brazen Hussy, Pulmonaria Opal, Epimedium, Comfrey

 

 Ann brought Rhododendrons Bluetit and Osprey, Skimmia Kew Green, Chaelameles Geisha Girl, Salix babylonica crispa and Malus Profusion

 Norma brought for identification these corms/roots which were in a pot she was emptying. A couple of member offered to try growing them and we wait to hear the outcome.

 Ann also brought this leaf of a Mandrake plant which is over 2 ft long!

 

Dorothy’s yellow themed vased containsDoronium, Acer, Wallflower, Pansy, Daffodils mini Tête à tête and Sunrise, Kerria, Azalea x 2, Primulas x 3, mini Tulip, Oxlip and Dandelion

 

Carol Abbot is opening her award winning garden for the National Garden Scheme at 4a Blackwood Rise, Cookridge, LS16 7BG on Sunday 3^rd May at 12.30 – 4.30. Adults £5.00, Children free, plants for sale and tea refreshments.

Next meeting on 1^st May will be a forum on House Plants; growing, feeding, propagating or just keeping them alive. Please bring any healthy, poorly or cuttings of house plants and we look forward to your input.