Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower - Albert Camus

Presentation:  Kew through the seasons by Ken Matthewman

 Ken, who describes himself as a horticultural maniac, has been gardening since a child and rose from a humble indentured apprentice with Castleford Borough Council to working at Kew Gardens.

Ken’s illustrated talk gave us a real insight into Kew along with its history.  Beginning as a 12 acre totally flat, sandy river floodplain, it now spans 300 acres of landscaped gardens, with research facilities and a gallery of Marianne North’s paintings.  Also to be found here are trees from every species, a new state-of–the-art alpine house, and the Palm House, originally built in the 1840’s from steel and glass.  Ken advises that a full day should be set aside for a visit to the gardens, where every plant is labelled and new bedding schemes are always being trialled.

Display Table

Marjorie and Brian’s Coleus plants grown from “babies”

 

 Ann brought Dahlias from her garden: the pink Merckii which she’s had for 20 years, the larger flowered australis and the red coccinea and gave us the history of the plant.  Coming from the Aster family, Dahlias have been with us for about 200 years, when Spanish botanists discovered them growing on the sandy hillsides of Mexico.  Toward the end of the 18^th century, Spanish settlers sent some to the Botanic Gardens in Madrid where the plant was named by Abb′e Cavanille in honour of the Swedish scientist and environmentalist, Andrea Dahl.

 Ann found a new-to-her plant at The Arium nursery.  Lindernia grandiflora,  perhaps not aptly named, but also known as  Blue moneywort False pimpernel and Angels Tears

 Margaret H asked for identification of this plant which she grew from red berries.  Anyone?

 Still in flower, from Gill’s garden comes a container filled with Oxalis, SunflowerLemon Queen, Aster Alma Potschke, Liriope,  the yellow climbing Dicentra scandens,  Tricyrtis (toad lily),  Alstroemeria selina, Eupatoria and Persicaria

Gardening Matters

Have a look at someone else's "display table".

https://honeypotflowers.wordpress.com/2018/10/20/mid-october-in-the-flower-garden/ 

Notice Board

Gill has ordered stocks of tulip bulbs again this year for purchase at the next meeting.

Next Meeting

2^nd November: A celebration for the 50^th anniversary of the Society moving into our current premises.  John M Sheard FRICS, a former resident Land Agent of the Bolton Abbey Estate, will give a talk on ‘The Life and Achievements of Joseph Paxton’ 

16^th November:  Harvest Forum – Brexit Bash and Bring & Buy.  Further details to be advised.