A single gentle rain makes the grass many shades greener.- Henry David Thoreau

 This Forum was about drought and, if this becomes a feature of the British Summer, what changes do we need to make in our gardens.

 

Kate’s Fern with an interesting history.  This polypody fern with its deeply divided foliage lies dormant in Summer, making it an ideal candidate for drought conditions.  Discovered by Richard Kayse on a cliff outside Bristol in 1668, the fern is sterile so can only be propagated by division.  Centuries later in 1980, the fern expert Martin Rickard rediscovered the plant growing on the same cliff, so it must be part of the same plant.  A piece of the rhizome was split and can be bought today in nurseries.  The plant in the photo could therefore be part of a plant between 400 and 1000s of years old!

Kate also brought some plants from her garden which have done well in the dry weather:  Aster, Kniphofia Mango Popsicle, Salvia Amistad, Helenium autumnale and Peroskia Blue Spires

Liz brought a picture of the late Queen at Chelsea and the David Austin Jubilee Rose.  A fitting tribute

Liz also brought some scented sweet peas which weren’t doing too well until she administered a seaweed feed

Liz showed how the same plant reacted to sun and shade during this dry spell.  The plants included Hydrangea, Crocosmia, Fern and Astilbe

Judith brought plants which will grow in dry conditions:  Heuchera, Perennial Stock, Variegated Erysimum and Senecio

Norma brought Crocosmia, Sedum, Phlomis bailanica,  Physalis, Convovulus, Statych and Catmint

Norma brought a book by Beth Chatto, the queen of the dry garden which has a list of suitable plants.  Also a book on propagation.

Ann brought a tray of succulents which are kept in the greenhouse.  No water is given between October and March. They include Sedum, Old Man’s Beard and Echiveria

Ann also brought Crocosmia Star of the East, Sedums telephium and Seduction Cherry, Brunneras Jack Frost and Sea Heart

Peter brought a variety of Salvias including Clotted Cream, Griggii, Wind n Roses, La Mancha, Nuchi and Royal Velour which he overwinters in the greenhouse

Elizabeth brought a drought and winter hardy ground cover plant Campanula portenschlagiana

 

Amanda’s indoor plant Achimenes, the hot water plant

Many tips for coping with dry spells were shared such as ice cubes in hanging baskets and gravel gardens although we didn't go as far as getting rid of our lawns.

Next Meeting

October 7^th:   Presentation – Late Herbaceous Perennials – Don Witton

 

And so we reach meteorological Autumn

 Presentation

Joy Van Rensburg of the Canals and River Trust, Yorkshire and North East areas gave us an interesting insight into the history, workings and scope of the 2000 miles of navigable waterways.  We learnt how blacksmiths were sited along the route to shoe the horses used to pull the barges and how, today, the importance of these waterways in providing activities for people and boats as well as the projects undertaken by volunteers and their role preserving wildlife.  We also heard of the effects of  storms and droughts.

Maybe we won’t be kayaking or paddle boating anytime soon, but the website does give details of towpath walks and bat walks.

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/

Display Table

The following are plants brought from the gardens of our members:

Margaret H’s Astrantias

Ann brought Arum italicum mormoratum with its bright red berries, Liriope muscari, Colchicum autumnale (distinguishable by its 6 stamens whereas Autumn Crocus has 3) Colchicum agrippinum, Scilla autumnalis, Acis (Leucojum) autumnalis.

Ann also brought Water Ferns – the half hardy salvinia natans and Azolla filiculoides which overwinters as resting buds.  Invasive so take care they don’t end up in the waterways!

Ann has counted more than 20 goldfinches in her garden attracted by the sunflower hearts in her feeders.

Gill J is delighted with her orchid.  The first time she has got one to reflower

Liz brought Anemone Frilly Knickers, Persicaria Black Field, Gaura, the bright pink Clematis Giselle, Verbena hastata, Achillea Cloth of Gold, Aster Monch, Scabious, Thunbergia, Clematis Mrs Cholmondeley, Geranium Rozanne, Althaea cannabina

Carol brought Rudbeckia and  Argyranthemum Jamaica Primrose

Peter brought Fuchsias:  Vibrant Thalia and pink Jasper’s Lightning

Sue G’s ornamental Chicory, Catananche, Campanula Pritchards, Kniphofia Popsicle, Asters Monch and Rudolf Goethe, Crocosmia River Limpopo, Verbena bonariensis brought

Judith brought Althaea cannabina, Miscanthus malepartus which is 6 ft high and Salvia Amistad

Kate brought Helianthus Lemon Queen, Heleniums meranti, autumnale and sahins early flower Rudbeckias Goldsturm and deamii

Garden Matters 

York Gate Garden is displaying stunning Autumn colour plus Jack Ogg’s tropical garden is looking good.  Luckily they have their own bore hole to access water.  Remember that you can use café and plant sales without paying entrance fee.

 Paxton Autumn Show is on Saturday 1st October.  More details to follow.

Next Meeting 

Next meeting on 16^th September is a forum about drought.  We would appreciate your input about drought resistant plants, your plans going forward, watering regimes etc.  Examples of plants that did well or badly especially welcome.