"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." - Stanley Horowitz

Talk: 

As always, Friday Forum member Celia gave us another excellent talk. 

We heard facts, myths and legends about why Holly, Ivy, Mistletoe and Fir Trees are brought into our homes in mid-winter.  We learnt that Holly signified fertility as it retained leaves and berries throughout the winter and the Druids considered it to be a lucky tree.  Ivy was not as popular and in Greek mythology it is linked to drinking.  However, linked with holly it became more acceptable.  Mistletoe was thought to bring a blessing on the house and its occupants.  The  best Christmas trees are the Norway Spruce which has softer needles and the Nordmann Fir with its rounder needles which are less likely to drop.   

 

Display Table

It seems there is still colour and interest in our gardens, if the display table is anything to go by.

Dorothy brought a bouquet of Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Carnation, Primula, Diascia and Rose

 Judith’s Rosa mutabilis

 Ann’s vase contained Amicia zygomeris, Salvia Mexicana and luecanthe, Corydalis ochroleuca, Persicaria affinis Fat Domino and Golden Arrow, Chaenomeles speciosa Geisha Girl, Tricyrtis Empress, Nerine bowdenii, a red and pink Hesperantha, Antirrhinum, Gaillardia, Rudbeckia and Calceolaria

 

James brought the annual Rudbeckia gloriosa grown from seed, Liriope which thrives under the canopy of a large tree and the heritage Chrysanthemum, Suffolk Pink, which he is helping to conserve in his garden

 Judith brought an attractive display of foliage which includes from Spotty Dotty, Cotinus,  variegated Iris foetidissima, Abelia grandiflora, Euphorbia griffithii, the silver Senecio, Rue, variegated Bergenia Tubby Andrews, Pittosporum Tom Thumb, Brunnera and variegated Laurel

On one of Jenny’s regular visits to The Hollies, she spotted this green/turquoise decomposing wood and wondered if it was from copper or algae.  The Hollies attained Platinum in this year’s Parks in Bloom competition

Jane brought along a steel fencing pin to show how robust they are and easy to use when staking plants as they have a pointed tip.  These can be purchased from builders merchants 

Notice Board

The Paxton Late Autumn show is on Saturday 25^th November.  Can anyone help in the kitchen or by baking produce?  The Show is open to the public from 2 pm.

Caroline has requested that Friday Forum annual subscription of £12.00 be paid within the next four meetings.  Payment should be made either by cheque made out to Paxton Horticultural Society or cash in a named envelope please. 

If any members have suggestions for forums to be included in next year’s programme, please let the committee know. 

Next Meeting

 

Presentation by Roger Parkinson of The Woodland Trust plus a demonstration of a seasonal floral arrangements to show members how to make their own for the following meeting.