God made rainy days so gardeners can get the housework done

 

Talk: Colours of the Garden by Hilary Hutson

Hilary has given many interesting and well-researched presentations to Friday Forum on a wide range of subjects. This fascinating talk covered the science of how we humans see colour and how insects, birds and mammals see colour. Whereas for humans the colour red stands out, for bees it is purple and wasps like reddy browns. This is important for pollination. Who knew that ladybirds and lily beetles are red to alert predators to leave them alone? Many plants have splashes of ultra violet which can be seen by the insects but not by humans. These facts and much more were explained and illustrated by Hilary.

Display Table

These cuttings are taken from a Salvia from the late Margaret Bulman’s garden. They were distributed to some members who will take their own cuttings to pass on to other members.

The petals of Ann’s Viola hederacea has no lower petals, hence the name Chinless Wonder. The plant is kept in a greenhouse

Maggie Y’s pot contains Hypericum ‘Magic Universe’, Crocosmia (too orange for Lucifer),ceratostigma willmottianum and ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Inula, Persicaria ‘Golden Arrow’. Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and athyrium niponicum ‘Ursula’s Red’

As much interest was expressed, here is the spicy perfumed Hypericum ‘Magic Universe’ in Maggie’s garden

Kate brought Japanese Anemones: Pamina, Dreaming Swan, Pretty Lady Susan and Honerine Jobert

Suzanne’s vase contains a flower from Hosta Fortunei aureomarginata, Bergenia’Harzkristall’ Salvia microphylla ‘Pink Lips’, Persicaria affinis superba, Geraniums ‘Rozanne’ and sanguineum ‘Max Frei’, Anemone ‘Serenade’, Fern – polypodium vulgara and Penstemon ‘Hidcote Pink’ with its cream and purple striped throat

Carol’s gladiolus byzantinus

Eighteen lucky people tucked in the Liz’s chocolate cake and I can personally vouch for the other one. We all appreciate your fabulous baking, Liz.

Next Meeting: 18^th August will be chaired by Suzanne. Judith will speak about Dahlias followed by a discussion on which plants are successful, or not, in our gardens in the extreme weather patterns we are experiencing.