It will never rain roses: when we want to have more roses we must plant more trees - George Eliot

 Presentation

Growing plants in containers – David Allison

Experienced gardener David Allison, who has just been judging in the Great Pavilion at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show gave us an informative and interesting illustrated presentation about growing fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs in containers. We were given lots of tips and examples of what to grow and answered our questions.

David brought a variety of plants for us to purchase including herbs, fuchsias and salvias which were quickly snapped up by our members

He also brought along a range of books on various topics which he offered at a discounted price

Display Table

Christine brought Melittis and a form of Lupin

Caroline’s Peltaria

Dorothy’s Peony, Crinodendron (the Chilean Lantern Flower), white Lilac and Poppy

Maggie’s stunning orange honeysuckle, Lonicera tellmanniana

Ann brought Crinodendron hookerianum, Aconitum ivorine and Camassia leichtlinii quamash, Nectaroscordum siculum

Judith’s Argyranthemum, a cutting from a plant given to Mrs Spencer of York Gate

Kate’s vase contains: Silena fimbriata, Geum “Totally tangerine”, Astrantia “Roma”, Melica, Tiarella “Spring Symphony”, Geranium nodosum “Blueberry Ice”, Cornus candensis, Geranium “Ann Folkard”, Libertia grandiflora and Luzula nivea

Many Happy Returns!

We were delighted to celebrate long-standing Friday Forum member Ann’s birthday with a special afternoon tea and a garden-themed cake made by Liz. Ann, who is turning 90, loves life and we all love her. Ann is a regular contributor to the display table and whenever we can’t remember to name of a plant, Ann can always supply it.

Next meeting: 7th June: Pelargoniums - Roger Burnett

Friday Forum’s First Flower Festival

 Members were tasked with creating an installation to include two natural materials depicting a book or song title and some stretched it to a film!

We had 23 entries and members had fun guessing the answers. Christine scored the highest.

How many did you get?

Display Table

Ann brought tropaeolum tricolor

Ann also brought a couple of books by Enid Blyton which she has had since a child: Let’s Garden and Book of the Year which gives notes on nature for every day of the year including stories, poems and songs. An example of a Motto from Week #44:

 It is better to be a little patient when crossing the road, than to be a little patient in the hospital.

Although there have been reprints, these copies are worth quite a bit, but Ann wouldn’t part with them.

Carol brought Chocolate Vine (Akebia Quinata)

Judith brought a yellow cotoneaster

Norma brought some Forget-me-nots

Norma has caught loads of small slugs using the beer in a container method which are then left out for the birds.

Norma also brought a jug of blossom: Camellia,  Exochorda x macrantha 'The Bride' , Snowball, Choisya Aztec Pearl, Canary Bird and a perfumed Azalea

Next Meeting: There will be no meeting on 17^th May but on 24^th May we have a presentation on  Growing Plants in Containers by  David Allison