Garden visit to Millrace Gardens and Nursery in Garforth

We were blessed with beautiful weather as we were shown round Millrace Gardens in Garforth by Carol, the owner, whose enthusiasm for gardening and plants is infectious.  It is difficult to imagine that in 1999 there was nothing in the front garden.  Only after clearing the whole area and adding topsoil could the construction of the borders begin. A large amount of rubble was left beneath the soil, but this helped with drainage.

Rose-canary bird. Cercis 'Avondale'-gold leaf after pink flowers
Tulip 'Cairo'

The back garden was formerly a field and now includes a woodland walk, wild areas with prairie planting and trees. The garden attracts a lot of wildlife and we saw a woodpecker.  It was like being deep in the countryside rather than a suburb of Leeds.

 Bog garden

The bog garden was added in 2005, but it looks as though it has been there forever.

Laburnum arch

Nearer the house are a series of garden rooms.

For more photos see http://www.millrace-plants.co.uk/nursery-photos.htm

 

We all enjoyed the visit to this garden including the tea and homemade cake and went home with new plants and new ideas to try in our own gardens.

Update

Graham’s mystery plant has now been identified as Ledebouria - the original bulbs came from Ann F.

Next Meeting: 5^th June (see the tab at the top of the blog for details).

Preparing for Autumn on May Day

Talk:  Pride in the Fall

Gail Summerfield, along with husband John, entertained us with amusing tales, stunning slides and helpful hints.  Their nursery, http://www.westshores.co.uk  in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire specialises in ornamental grasses and autumn perennials and we heard how to extend the flowering season.  This allows habitat for wildlife, more interest in the garden giving us a seemingly shorter winter.

This topic was of personal interest to me as I had earmarked this as one of my resolutions for 2015 and have added many plants to my wishlist.

Display Table

 

Judith brought in some Sorberia and Euphorbia polychroma which would brighten up a dark corner

... and a bargain

Margaret brought in an attractive and edible tree spinach plant which will grow into a shrub.

 

 Elizabeth’s beautiful, early flowering Rosa banksia

Graham would like someone to identify his mystery plant 

Gill brought some pretty thugs from her garden including  allium paradoxum, spurnium and  Enchanter's nightshade (Circaea lutetiana) which has small, white flowers.

Notice Board

Andrew Spence, the new chairman of Paxton, introduced himself to Friday Forum and thanked members for their donations and proceeds from plant sales and coffee mornings which have made a significant difference to the funds.  There are a couple of vacancies on the Paxton committee and the position of honorary treasurer and manager of room hire will become available next year, if anyone would like to volunteer their services.

There are a few places left for the Friday Forum day trip (see Janella)

Dates for your diary

Please support and publicise our coffee morning and plant sale

Next Meeting:  Garden visit to Millrace Nursery (please see details under the page entitled Garden Visits 2015.  Friday Forum is subsidising the price quoted for members.