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