Design Tips for Small Gardens – Mary Swan

Presentation:  Design Tips for Small Gardens by Mary Swan

Mary, who is a garden designer and lecturer in horticulture, gave us a workshop on garden design using illustrations from courtyards in Marrakech to our local York Gate garden in Adel.  We learnt key design tips including landscaping, texture and colour.  We then had to undertake an exercise in teams which involved putting the theory into practice, which proved quite difficult.

We spent an enjoyable and informative afternoon and will look at our gardens through new eyes.

We have the opportunity to visit Mary’s own garden later in the year.

Mary also gives workshops locally. 

Display Table

 Kate’s Crinodendron Alf Robbins which bears white flowers

 Janella’s Cyclamen

 Dorothy’s Crocus chrysanthus Advance

From her garden, Ann’s bouquet includes Galanthus nivalis, Leucojum vernum,  Iris unguicularis, syn. Stylosa, Iris reticulate, Crocus tomassinianus, Narcissus tête-à-tête, Corydalis malkensis, Puschkinia and Hepatica x Ballardia

 Gill’s posy has Hellebore, Brunnera, Cardamine and Sarcococca

 Carol's Spring posy includes Pulmonaria Angustifolia and Sissinghurst White, Bergenia, Viburnum Tinus and Dawn, the attractive Heather Golden Starlet and the still flowering Fuchsia microphylla

Gardening Matters
Janella told us about the Ring-necked parakeet which was feeding in her garden but are mainly found in south-east England.  
Many members agreed that the frogs are now very active in their ponds.

Notice Board

Garden centre trip:  The Fuchsia Society has opened its annual trip on 19^th April to non-members.  For the cost of £10, the coach will leave Paxton at 8.30 am stopping at Reighton Nursery, Hunmanby at 10.30, the Piebald Inn 
http://thepiebaldinn.co.uk/
(decide your choice of lunch) and Deans Nurseries returning to Paxton by 5 pm.

If interested, please contact Julie of WY Fuchsia Society on 07736456414

Friday Forum day trip to Southport Flower Show on 21^st August: If you or your friends want to book, full details are on the Garden Visits page.

Next Meeting

6^th March – Forum on Houseplants. 

Houseplants are quite the trend.  Member Eric will give a talk but please bring in any ailing, thriving, interesting, unnamed houseplants of your own.