Saturday 6 March 2021

Virtual Friday Forum meeting March 2021

 So we’ve reached meteorological Spring after a very strange year.  It’s almost soothing to see the normal stuff like snowdrops appearing.

Here are pictures of what is happening in the gardens of some of our members:

Derek and Olwen


Snowdrops in front and back gardens
Dorothy

Iris reticulata

Carol

An impressive collection of Spring plants
Linda

In addition to the snowdrops and crocuses

 Third Age: Six on Saturday: Signs of Spring (thirdageblogger.blogspot.com)

Maggie:

An elegant arrangement of Galanthus ‘Magnet’, Narcissus ‘Snow Baby’ and Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’

Judith


Judith's signature basket

Other plants include Polyanthus Blue Denim, Hellebores, Crocus and Corydalis

Kate:
First bloom of my Camellia ‘Silver wedding’


Tete a tete daffodils



Edgeworthia chrysantha flowers are just coming out. They have an amazing scent.

I like this corner of the garden when the Skimmia flowers and the Fastsia ‘Spiders Web’ is showing new leaves.
                                                                                                                                             
Gill J
Crocus ‘Cream Beauty’ which were sent last autumn in place of the ones you all told me last spring were NOT ! They just need some sun to show off their beauty!
 Two contrasting snowdrops, possibly S.Arnot, and galanthus nivalis


Narcissus Spring Dawn, been out about 3 weeks now.

Jenny showed us a Fieldgate snowdrop she has had for over 30 years and tiny narcissus, both of which are kept in the greenhouse.  Sue showed us her Anemone blanda, Erythroniums, Leucojums and Snowdrops.  Sef has snowdrops which have self-seeded into his garden and Norma showed a bowl of Iris Harmony.

In true GQT style, member Dorothy sent in this question:

My friend is wanting to plant small evergreen shrubs/trees not Box or Azalea type. Can Friday Forum suggest anything please?

 

The shrubs that everyone suggested are: 

Euonymus Jean Hughes
Ilex crenata ( good substitute for box )
Hebe varieties
Sarcococca
Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb’
Pittosporum 'Golf Ball’
Amelachier lamarkii (not evergreen)
Mahonia aquifolium  ‘Apollo'

For very small shrubs contact the Alpine society.

Kate recommended this book by Andy McIndoe called Shrubs! It’s part of the Hillier Gardener’s Guides.

I hope these ideas prove useful and we hear of the outcome.