Visit to Alwoodley Gardens

Friday Forum members had a lovely time admiring the gardens, the sun shone on us for our visit and there was a good turnout.

 

The garden of our member Suzanne included a variety of shade and sun loving plants as well as an auricula theatre! Vistors asked about the Gladioli which is Gladio Byzantus and the Astrantia with is Astrantia Roma.

Kate and David, Suzanne’s neighbours, also very kindly offered to open their garden for us which included a beautiful peony, 'Jan van Leeuwen’ and a magnificent tree fern!

 Peony, 'Jan van Leeuwen’

Suzanne and Kate provided us with delicious cakes and biscuits, and members’ donations of £160.60 were sent to Lineham Farm Charity, which helps disadvantaged children.

Next meeting is 5th July – Friday Forum Summer Show (categories can be seen on blog page for shows).

“Flowers are restful to look at. They have neither emotions nor conflicts.” – Sigmund Freud

 Presentation: Roger Burnett – Pelargoniums

Roger, who started out gardening for Scarborough Council, a multi award winner at shows and now busily retired, entertained us and taught us all about Pelargoniums. From his grandmother teaching him to take cuttings he became addicted to growing the plants and has many greenhouses where he grows thousands of them from seeds and cuttings. Roger was accompanied by his artist wife, Yvonne, who makes beautiful cards and also helps with the installation of show stands.

We learnt about the interesting history of the plant, the many categories, how to take cuttings and how to care for Pelargoniums.

We were able to purchase plants and cards after the talk.

Display Table

Ann brought Nigella, Polygonum affine, tropaeolum polyphyllum

Kate brought Geranium nodosum “Blueberry Ice’Geranium ‘Rozanne’,Alchemilla mollis, Sisyringium striatum,Helianthemum ‘Wisley Primrose’,Cistus with yellow/green variegated leaves.Tradescantia with purple flowers

Sue brought Roscoea Harvington Raw Silk, of the ginger family.

Gill Jewell brought Kolkwitzia (the beauty bush)

Judith brought Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis), Mathiacella, Bupleurum, Linaria, Penstemon, Leaf of Molly the Witch and Honesty

One of Ann's birthday presents:  A photo of the oldest and youngest members of her family in a beautiful frame

Next Meetings

21^st June – Visit to Alwoodley Gardens. Details sent to members by email.

22^nd June – Paxton Summer Show (open to public from 2 – 4 pm, refreshments and plant sale).

5^th July – Friday Forum Summer Show (categories can be seen on blog page for shows) to be judged by Eric and John.