Happily we bask in this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures – Henry David Thoreau

 Bulb Bonanza

Members were given a forced hyacinth bulb to plant up and return for the Christmas Forum to see how they have fared. Each bag of bulbs contained 1 x White Pearl, 1 x City of Haarlem, 3 x Jan Bos, 1x Sky Jacket and 2 x Blue Star. It was pot luck which bulb was selected, so we should have a surprise when they bloom.

Some of the points from the discussion that followed about bulbs in general:

Linda had purchased good value bulbs in Lidl and Maggie M had bought bags of tulips there.

Norma gave out tulip seeds, which may take rather longer to flower.

Derek recommended Allium Summer Drummer which flowers in the summer and his grew exceptionally tall.

Acis, the Autumn Snowdrop, was another recommendation and Maggie was pleased with her Narcissus Snowbaby and Ballerina which have proved very reliable.

If buying bulbs by the bag, Trevor’s tip was to alternate the layers with the point end up and then pointy end down to maximise the number in the space provided.

Judith told us that bulbs will be on sale shortly at York Gate and bulb catalogues from various nurseries were available for members to look through.

Display Table

The table was full of containers of plants from the gardens of members. The colours, variety and scent show that there is still plenty of interest in our gardens in September.

 Kate's jug contains Astrantia 'Buckland', Anemones 'Pamina' and 'Pretty Lady Susan',Plectranthus, Persicaria 'September Spires', Perovskia 'Blue Spire', Knautia macedonica, Ceratostigma willmottianum and Sweet Peas

 Kate's Cornus Kousa

 Judith's arrangement includes Bergenia leaf of Tubby Andrews and Dahlias

Not taken from the best angle, Maggie brought Clematis heracleifolia Cassandra, Roses:  Iceberg, Blush Noisette and Pink Perpetue, Ceratostigma willnottianum 'Coted'Azure' and plumbaginodses, Inula, Lysmachia and Persicara believed to be Golden Arrow

 Ann brought Kirengeshoma palmata, Clematis Lambton Park, Hedera Buttercup, Amicia zygomeris, Hydrangea querofolia Little Honey and Crocosmia

Gill brought Penstemon 'Apple Blossom', Aster Monch, Rose, Begonias, purple and white Lavender, Sweet Peas, Cyclamen coum, Diascia 'Coral Belle', Cosmos, Rudbeckia, Verbena bonariensis, Osteospermum, Fuchsia, Geranium striatum and Leycesteria.

Carol's Euphorbia with attractive red stems and small leaves

Sue G's container of Clematis heracleifolia 'Cassandra', Verbascum 'Sunrise/Sunset' from a seedling, various shades of Hesperantha coccinea including 'Pink Princess' and huttonii bauri and Helenium 'Sahini's early flowerer'

Peter's well fed fly traps; Sarracenia

Liz's container includes Dahlia 'Happy Days', Lychnis and a purple Salvia?

 

Marjorie brought an offshoot of a Cosmos plant from a boggy part of her garden.  It didn't flower but imagine if it had!

Next Meetings:

20^th September - Peter Williams is giving a presentation on the Backhouse family.

4^th October is our Harvest Forum. We are having a baking competition. The categories are:

Fruit scones, savoury scones, Victoria sponge and shortbread and entrants can use their own recipes. Suzanne Tagger has kindly agreed to judge the entries.

A heads up that on 1^st November is our Friday Forum Gardeners Question Time. Please submit questions by 18^th October, preferably by email to me or Kate (vanheelk@me.com). On the panel will be Ann, Sue Gray, Peter and Wendy Platt.