“Let the nature embrace each and every day of your life with warmth and love…. Happy Winter Solstice.” (Anon)

For our last Friday Forum meeting of the year we decked out a table with natural matter to acknowledge the forthcoming Winter Solstice.

Flowers, bark, twigs, seashells, pebbles, moss and lichen were included on the nature table and candles were lit in the traditional manner

Members produced their own seasonal arrangements, sharing ideas and materials. Sandra introduced us to Agra Foam, an all-natural product which can be used wet or dry as an alternative to Oasis.

Peter taught us how to make paper angels

Suzanne attended a weaving workshop and made this amazing deer

Liz provided delicious mince pies and ginger Christmas trees

Some of our members attended the funeral of the multi-talented Dr Carl Denton who passed away peacefully at age 95. A beautiful tribute was given by grandson, Ross, and we passed on our condolences to Carl’s family.

Trillium expert.  Some of our members have plants donated by Carl

Marquetry of his home

Spinning wheel

Carl, together with Margaret, founded Friday Forum in 1993 and made a significant contribution over many years. At today’s meeting, the original document of his idea was read out.

Next Meeting:

Our first meeting of 2024 will be 19^th January when Brian Denison will present “Creating an Inspirational Garden over 25 years”

"At the darkest time of year, Lord Yule laid down his beard of snow and cloak of frost and ice to illuminate the gloom.”—Stewart Stafford

Presentation

As ever, Peter Williams gave us an interesting, illustrated talk entitled In the not so bleak mid-winter. Although the coldest meeting (so far), we were cheered by the scenes of colourful plants and lights from various winter gardens. This gave us ideas for our own gardens as well as places to visit.

Display Table

A posy created by Judith for the Welcome Table

Ann's cheerful pot of tête-à-tête daffs, Pittosporum Tom Thumb and Arum leaves

Suzanne brought these which are still flowering in her garden:  Skimmia japonica rubella, Salvia pink lips, Nandina Fire power, Gaura linclheimeri Rosyjane, Erigeron karvin skiarius, Rosa Gabriel oak, Polypodium vulgare, Geranium phaeum Margaret Wilson which has yellow variegated leaves and purple flowers

Kate brought Edgeworthia chrysantha, the scented Japanese paperbush known for its bark and a seed head of Clematis Helios

Judith brought a branch of variegated  prunus laurocerasus Marbled White, useful in flower arrangements

Next Meeting

Friday 15th December.  This is our Christmas "do" so dress accordingly.  We will be creating a communal Winter Solstice table from natural materials plus festive table decorations.  

“November comes, and November goes. With the last red berries and the first white snows.” Clyde Watson

Presentation: Suzanne White allowed us to look around Beth Chatto’s garden in her interesting and informative illustrated presentation. 

Beth Chatto OBE, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 94, won many awards for her garden which she developed from nothing into beautiful gardens that provide a demonstration of her mantra 'Right plant; right place' showing how plants thrive when they’re grown in the conditions that suit them best. Suzanne’s photos, taken on her visit in summer, showed us the various parts of the garden and the choice of plants for damp, shade and dry conditions in the renown gravel garden developed on the former car park.

Display Table

Proving that there is still colour and interest to be had in our gardens:

Ann’s display contains Fatsia japonica, Fuchsia Genii, the winter flowering Iris unguicularis, Hypercium with its black berries, Nerine Bowdenii, Persicaria J S Caliante and Golden Arrow and Amicia zygomeris which she rings with copper to stop it being eaten by pests

Carol brought Hesperantha coccinea major Pink Princess plus another pink one, Fuchsia, Jamaican Primrose, Viburnum Tinus and white Chrysanthemum

Carol’s Christmas (or Thanksgiving) Cactus in full bloom

Peter brought a variety of plants including Mahonia Charity, Liriope, Salvias and Hesperantha, Mallow, Passion Flower, Alpine Anchusa and Cyclamen

Suzanne brought Choisya ternata “Sundance”, Carex morowii “Ice Dance”, Salvia “Pink Lips”, Sedum “Autumn Joy”, Potentilla “Miss Willmott”, Salvia Amistad, Erysimum Bowles Mauve, Anemone “Splendens” and an unidentified white flower.

Still out in Kate’s garden: Asplenium scolopendrium “Golden Queen”, Hydrangea macrophylla “Tricolor”, Alchemilla mollis, Salvia “Nachtvlinder”, Fatsia Japonica, Astrantia “Buckland”,Blechnum spricant, Polystichum setiferumpolystichum setiferum “Pulcherrimum Bevis” and Panicum “Purple Haze”

Next Meeting: December 1st Presentation – In the not so Bleak Midwinter – Peter Williams

“Fallen leaves lying on the grass in the November sun bring more happiness than the daffodils.” Cyril Connolly

 

Presentation: Steve Halliwell – Logan Botanic Gardens

Steve with his newly published book "The Snowdrop"

Steve walked and talked us through Logan Botanic Garden with illustrations from his visit to the gardens which were established in 1869 at the south-western tip of Scotland.

Voted 'Best Garden in the UK' 2021, Logan enjoys an almost subtropical climate and its walled garden includes one of the remaining walls of Logan Castle. We thanked Steve for what was a most interesting and comprehensive talk.

Display Table

There is still a lot of interest in our gardens at the beginning of November, with some plants even flowering again.

Judith’s Miscanthus malepartus is from one of two clumps in her garden and stands well over 6 ft. (How did it fit in the car?) Judith said anyone who wants some is welcome to dig some up.

John F brought a pot of Oxalis Youval which he grew from three bulbs

Ann brought Venus Fly Trap, Dionaea muscipula, which grows in the bogs of North and South Carolina and the carnivorous Butterwort Pinguicula Grandiflora which grows in W. Europe and S. America

Dorothy grew this wonky carrot

Dorothy’s Echeveria in flower

Kate brought Aralia ‘Sun King’, Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’, Salvia, Melianthus major ‘Purple Leaf’ and a selection of Persicarias

Linda brought Persicaria, Gaura ‘Freefolk Rosy’, Salvia ‘Hot Lips’, Abelia, Artemisia ‘Powys Castle’, Cosmos ‘Gazebo Mixed’, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and Spirea

Next meeting: 17^th November – Suzanne will talk about her visit to Beth Chatto’s garden

“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” — Humbert Wolfe

Presentation:

Your Garden and the World – Ruth Baumberg

Ruth, a prizewinning photographer, traveller and plant lover, entertained us with her photos of plants growing in their native habitat in such locations as Europe, North America and India. These were compared with species which grow in the UK and in Ruth’s own garden in North Leeds.

Display Table

Dorothy brought 2 roses, cascading Begonia illumination and Antirrhinum

Judith’s Dahlias: Murdoch, Bluetiful, (self named) Flaxton, Karma choc, David Howard and Bishops Children

Sue G brought Ivy in flower

Kate brought foliage and seedheads: Cotinus coggyria “Royal Purple”, Hydrangea macrophylla, Agapanthus “Navy Blue”, Sedum “Jose Aubergine”, Actea simplex “Brunette”, Lythrum salicaria “Lady Sackville”, Persicaria microcephala “Red Dragon” and Geranium wlassovianum “Lakwijk Star”

Next Meeting: November 3rd Presentation - Steven Halliwell:  Logan Botanical Gardens

Harvest Festival 2023

Harvest Festival

We had a lovely spread of sweet and savoury foodstuffs brought by our members.

There was also a Quiz compiled by Maggie Y and Kate where we had to name 14 unusual fruits and vegetables. The highest mark was nine, so we learned a lot.

Display Table

Kate’s Fuchsia ‘Hawkshead’, Ceratostigma willmottianum, Callicarp ‘Profusion’, Salvias ‘Amistad’ and ‘Magic Spires’, Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’, Aster ‘Violet Queen’, Penstemon ‘Plum Jerkum’, Begonia grandis ssp. Evansiana ‘Claret Jug’ and w white form, Fagopyrum dibotrys, Rudbeckia deami, Geranium ‘Ann Folkard’

Judith’s Geranium Kelly Ann

Dorothy brought Heuchera, Fuchsia Thalia, Penstemon, Dahlias, Lavender, Schizostylis and Aster

 Judith’s jug contained Senecio viravira, which grows through Cotoneaster, Coleus and Eleagnus Quicksilver.

Katherine brought tomatoes, which have been late to ripen, Greek Basil and homemade Bramble jam.

 Ann brought Arum italicum, Hedera helix Buttercup, Euonymus planipes, Cotoneaster, Amicia zygomeris

Carol's Penstamon Just Jayne

Trevor’s Fuchsia Celia Smedley

Next Meeting: October 20th Forum – Your Garden and the World – Ruth Baumberg