Get fit, get an allotment and unearth a crop of benefits

 

Presentation:  Creating an Allotment show Garden and what the President gets up to by Phil Commersall BEM

 

The enthusiastic president of the Allotment Society gave an interesting talk about how his mission is to promote allotments in Yorkshire and beyond by whatever means.  He has been known to bribe the BBC with strawberries and stage amazing displays at a wide range of venues to publicise his cause.  We saw illustrations of exhibits which were a far cry from regimented rows of vegetables in a bed.  Indeed, Phil, often seen sporting flamboyant horticultural-themed clothes and bowler hat, and his team won Silver at Chelsea in 2014, in 2015 his VE Day anniversary allotment wowed the public at the Harrogate Show followed by a Gold in 2016

Phil has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Horticulture in Yorkshire, has set up Learning Days for allotment growers  and is active in Rawdon in Bloom.

Display Table

 Ann’s had this Veltheimia capensis since 1983.  The bulbs need repotting now to improve flowering

 

 In an experiment to produce more stems, Judith pinched out the main stem of her Aeonium resulting in 5 new heads

 This solitary trumpetless daffodil was found by Celia in a supermarket bouquet.  Can anyone put a name to it?

Kate’s bargain buy from The Arium for £1 a pot.  These Cyclamen hederifolium have beautiful leaves

 Currently flowering in Gill’s garden are Pulmonaria Blue Ensign and a white one, Allium paradoxum normale, fritillaria, Epimedium, Anemone blanda

Notice Board

Paxton Dorothy has requested kitchen helpers and donations of cakes for Paxton Spring Flower Show on 30th March.  Details here  Paxton spring flower Show

She also needs plants for the sale held that day after judging takes place when it is open to the public.

The Friday Forum Day Trip on 16^th August has now been finalised and it looks an interesting itinerary.  We thank Janella for organising it and she can give you full details of this event.

Next Meeting

April 5^th – Spring Mini Show judged by John Freer, who will also give a short talk.

Here are the categories and surely we can find one flower or plant worthy of entry!

  

How to improve your chances at Flower Shows and Plants for Shade

Presentation:  Improve your chances at Flower Shows

 John Freer

The multi-prizewinning and knowledgeable John Freer showed us the best way to stage exibits to improve your chances of winning at Flower Shows.

John passed on invaluable tips such as bringing a wet and dry cloth to ensure your vase is clean, place pot plants on a saucer and label your entries where the judges and public can see.

He had various other implements in his box of tricks to achieve the first prize, leaving us well prepared to enter Friday Forum’s own Spring Mini Show on April 5^th or Paxton Spring Show on March 30^th.

Plants for Shade

We had many books and articles with information about plants to suit the shady areas of our gardens.

 Carole’s Leucothoe axil Curly Red

 

Jenny’s Rohdea japonica, related to the Aspidistra 

Jenny’s tried and test Ground cover for shade: Jenny’s container includes symphytum hidcote pink and blue, pachyphragma macrophyllum, Trachystemon orientalis

Other plants recommended by Jenny for shade include: maianthemum bifolium with its heart shaped leaves, Beesia calthifolia, Euphorbia robbiae, Gunnera manicato, Astilboides tabularis, Geranium nodosum Blueberry Ice, white vinca, Wood anemones, Ferns and Hepatica.

Janellarecommended  Viburnum tinus,  Ivy, Holly, Skimmia, Sarcococca confusa, Pachysandra, Lamium galeobdolon yellow archangel, Euonymus emerald and gold, Pulmonaria officinalis and Vinca

Other members cited  Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum', Hosta Halcyon, Brunnera Jack Frost, and Foxgloves

 

 

Sue G – not particularly shade loving but will grow in spring deciduous trees:

Pulmonaria Opal, Silver Bouquet, diana clare and Victorian Brooch, Erythronium, Epimedium, Pteridophyllum racemosum, Glaucidium palmatum

Display Table

 All these are blooming in Ann's garden now.  Sadly I forgot to pick up the list which Ann obligingly draws up for me

 Jerry’s Spiraea 

 

Judith’s Tulips The First

 Judith's Tulips an hour later!

Variegated wallflowers

 Sue G Anemone Pavonina which is a meadow type requiring full sun

 

Gill’s container includes Daffy Peeping Tom,  the fragrant winter flowering Honeysuckle, Allium paradoxum normale, Skimmia Kew Beauty, white Pulmonaria, Pachyphragma, Vinca illumination, Cyclamen coum, Cardamine, Pieris

Notice Board

A plant sale is being held on the afternoon of 30^th March, after Paxton Spring Flower Show

Dorothy has made a request for plants which could be brought to the preceding meeting (15th March) or on the day of the sale.

 

Next Meeting

15th March:  Presentation by Phil Gomersall BEM on Creating an Allotment Show Garden and what the President gets up to!