“Parks and playgrounds are the soul of a city.” ― Marty Rubin

Presentation:  Municipal Marvels by Peter Mathers

We heard a fascinating talk by Peter, who took us through the history of the public park from its inception up to the present day.  He gave us an illustrated guide to many of the parks from the earliest one in the world at Birkenhead which opened on 5 April 1847, designed by Joseph Paxton, to the most recent in Birmingham, a roof garden at the public library opened in 2013.

He reminded us that we all have happy memories of being taken to the park at an early age and that today the councils are finding funding difficult for these wonderful areas which are mainly free to the public and rely more and more on volunteers.

 Burnby at Pocklington

 Sewerby nr Bridlington

 Valley Gardens Harrogate

 Queen's Park, Hull - a former dock

I’m sure Peter has encouraged us to add some of these parks to our places to visit list and look at others in a new light.

Display Table

Sue G’s fragrant Abelia Grandiflora

 Judith’s Ipheion

 Carl brought Sedum to illustrate how long lasting these flowers are.  Those at the front of the vase were picked a month ago, whereas those at the back of the vase were picked that day

Ann’s garden still has a wide variety of flowers at the beginning of November: Amecia zygomeris, Fatsia Japonica, Dahlia Australis, Persicaria Fat Domino, Rudbeckia, the annual Titohnia rotundfolia, a red Hesperantha, the pink Hesperantha Mrs Hegarty, Fuchsia and Saxifrafa fortunii.

The Hesperantha Mrs Hegarty' was named by Sir Frederick Moore, the Director of Glasnevin Botanic Garden, after the lady who discovered a chance pink seedling in her garden in County Galway in 1914. She was persuaded to show her plant at the RHS show in London in 1919

Notice Board

There is still a need for a membership secretary.  Can you help?

Dorothy informed us that this year’s plant sales have raised over £800!  Dates for next year will be decided soon.

If anyone has any recommendations/offers of gardens to visit in 2018, please let the committee know.

Dates for your diary

Next meeting:  17^th November – Friday forum’s Gardeners Question Time

Six on Saturday

At every meeting of our gardening club, members bring examples of plants which are currently in their gardens for the display table.
Here are six of them:
1.

Sheila’s Stapelia asterias was purchased as a small, single stem in Ikea about 20 years ago.  Here it is in flower, the third time it has flowered 

 2.

 On the usual route of her dog walk in The Hollies, Jenny picked up the branches and seeds of the deciduous Sequoia tree which had been blown off by the wind

3.

 

Kate’s container included Parthenocissus henryana, Arum Marmoratum, Salvia, Dahlias, Euonymus alatus, Callicarpa, Persicaria campanulata, the fragrant climbing rose Blush Noisette, Saxifrage Wadas form and Fuchsia Hawkshead

 4.

 

If you look carefully, one of Trevor’s Dahlia Striped Ambition has half the flower a darker shade than the other

 

5

 

Beware of Ann’s charming Halloween display – very poisonous!

6.

 James had to transport his exhibit on the roof rack of his car!  To give some idea of scale, the flower of his phormium, which he cut down about 2 ft from the ground, towers above James who is about 6 ft

 

Harvest Forum 2017

Harvest Forum

 

 

 

 And the winners are ... Peter, Ann, Sue G and Margaret

After the effort of working out the cryptic clues to the now traditional Harvest quiz, we were glad to sample the variety of dishes provided by members.

If you want to try out these dishes, some can be found on our recipes page.

Display Table

Sheila’s Stapelia asterias was purchased as a small, single stem in Ikea about 20 years ago.  Here it is in flower, the third time it has flowered 

 On the usual route of her dog walk in The Hollies, Jenny picked up the branches and seeds of the deciduous Sequoia tree which had been blown off by the wind

Kate’s container included Parthenocissus henryana, Arum Marmoratum, Salvia, Dahlias, Euonymus alatus, Callicarpa, Persicaria campanulata, the fragrant climbing rose Blush Noisette, Saxifrage Wadas form and Fuchsia Hawkshead

 Gill’s seasonal display

 

If you look carefully, one of Trevor’s Dahlia Striped Ambition has half the flower a darker shade than the other

Beware of Ann’s charming Halloween display – very poisonous!

 

 

 Judith’s display

 James had to transport his exhibit on the roof rack of his car!  To give some idea of scale, the flower of his phormium, which he cut down about 2 ft from the ground, towers above James who is about 6 ft

James also brought this echiveria cutting which he acquired from a talk on succulents at a local nursery

Notice Board

In the new year, Rose intends to step down from her role as a terrific membership secretary.  Paxton is seeking another volunteer and Rose has offered to assist initially.

Next Meeting

3^rd November:  Presentation by Pat Hutchinson

People, Plants, Pleasure and Passion

Don Witton’s presentation,People, Plants, Pleasure and Passion, was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining talk with humourous anecdotes and colourful slides.  Don, who re-invented himself after a long career as a teacher, is a specialist on euphorbias and we heard his amusing tales about the TV crew filming him for a Gardeners World programme.  More information can be found on his website. http://euphorbias.co.uk/

Display Table

Sue G’s assorted Salvias for late Summer colour, although tender, include Amistad, Joan, Black and Blue, Super Trouper,Mexicana, Patens

Carol brought her biennial Tragopogon (Salsify) which she grew from seed and the attractive Gladiolus murielae

Ann’s container of  orange and red included Persicaria Fats Domino, Golden Arrow, Dahlia Charlie Dimmock, Tithonia, Hersperantha, Erysimum Apricot Delight, Antirrhinum and Rudbeckia.

Kate brought some Anemone Blanda, wondering which way up to plant them

 Caroline brought our attention to this publication

 

 Kate’s vase contained Persicaria campanulata Orange Field, September Spires and Firetail.  Salvias Amistad, Verbena bonariensis and rigida, Begonia Claret Jug, Astrantia Buckland and Shaggy, Rudbeckia Goldsturm, Aster frikartii Monch, Phlox Graf Zeppelin and Calicarpa

 Judith’s Fuchsia Genii

Notice Board

A few Friday Forum members have successfully applied Thelma’s tip for propagating from basil plants bought at the supermarket.  A delicious, fresh and free addition to Italian cuisine.

Save landfill sites by recycling household waste at the Kirkstall waste recycling site which  has now re-opened and accepts a wide range of unwanted goods for its shop selling recycled goods.

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Kirkstall%20Recycling%20Site.aspx

The new council nursery has opened http://www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/Pages/Parks-and-Countryside-Nursery.aspx

 

Next Meeting

20^th October:  Harvest Forum.  Please bring prepared food for Members to taste which will be one of the various activities scheduled for this meeting.  An indication of allergens and vegetarian/vegan would be helpful.