Snowdrops: Theirs is a fragile but hardy celebration…in the very teeth of winter. Louise Beebe Wilder (1878-1938) – American Gardening Writer

Presentation: Snowdrops and Snowflakes by Michael D Myers

It is becoming increasingly popular to collect Snowdrops and visit displays of Snowdrops in gardens. Originating in Europe, they have been in the UK for 300 – 400 years. A genus of 20 species, we learnt that Snowdrops are distinguished by scent, flower shapes and colours, leaves and markings, size, time of flowering and cost - some being sold at well over £1000 per bulb for a rare plant!

Michael’s illustrated talk showed us the various species and explained how to grow with other bulbs to create a long season. For Snowdrops in pots, Michael recommended a mix of 25% SylvaGrow peat free compost, 25% John Innes No.3, 25% horticultural grit and 25% perlite and suggested this as a feed.

Friday Forum members were able to purchase Snowdrops and other spring flowering plants.

Display Table

Kate brought this attractive low growing Amaryllis with three stems

and a dish of Hellebore heads

Maggie brought Narcissus “Bridle Crown” purchased at the Ilkley florists, Erica Berry. A scented plant for in or outdoors

Maggie also brought Narcissus Minnow, Snow Baby and Tête-à-tête and a sprig of vinca

Dorothy brought a container of Hellebores

From her garden, Gill J brought Snowdrops including the early Mrs Mcnamara, named after the mother-in-law of Dylan Thomas, which bloomed before Christmas, Viburnum Dawn, Cornus Mid-Winter Flame, Jasmine nudiflorum, Hellebores, Crocuses, Anemone blanda, Camellia, Pulmonarias blue and white and Garrya elliptica

Ann brought Hamamelis Aphrodite, dark white and yellow Helleborus, Iris unguicularis, Narcissus Tête-à-tête, Crocus tommasinianus, Hepatica ballardii, Galanthus nivalis S. Arnott, Puschkinia, Clematis Freckles and Eranthis hyemalis

Next Meeting: 1^st March - AGM and forum on ‘no dig’ gardening method by Charles Dowding

Pot-et-Fleur

The pot-et-fleur is a Victorian idea which combines potted plants and cut flowers which gives a lasting and colourful impact.  The pots and cut flowers can be replaced according to the season to give the design many weeks of beauty.

Kate demonstrated this idea using a wooden crate in which she arranged pots of evergreens with differing forms and colour: Libertine with its sword shaped leaves, the black grass Ophiopogon, Hebe ‘Red Edge’, Pittisporum, Heuchera ‘Caramel’, Pachysandra and Polyanthus.

Other ideas were using tubes, tiny jars or oasis to add cut flowers to the arrangements and using shower caps to line small baskets.

Other arrangements created by Friday Forum members:

Norma's charming arrangement finished off with moss from the garden

Linda's container includes silver Artemisia, black grass

Christine's sunny arrangement includes the tree sapling grown by Eric

Peter's dwarf conifers of various shades with a succulent in flower

Ann's arrangement with Hellebores, double Primulas and Solenum

Liz's arrangement includes Hellebores, yellow and white giant pansies and muscari

Judith's gold and yellow theme includes Euonymus Emerald 'n Gold

Margaret M's pot with Bellis, Ivy and Thyme

Janet's arrangement with blue grass, ivy and thyme

Sug G's Snowdrops and muscari

Display Table

Sue G’s vase contains the fragrant Daphnes Jacqueline Postill, Brouillard, Viburnum Dawn, Lonicera – Winter Honeysuckle.

Maggie brought Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Purple Stem’, and low growing Viburnum tinus ‘Gwenllian’ and bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’

 

Kate brought a spring of  Edgeworthia chrysantha

Caroline brought some books on container gardening

Marjorie’s bright Jasmine nudiflorum

Next Meeting

16th February: Presentation - Building a Chelsea Garden. Martin Wright

January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow - Sara Coleridge

Presentation

There is no better way to kick of the new year than with a presentation by Brian Denison.

Brian’s talked about creating an inspirational garden over 25 years and we learnt tips for choosing, growing and pruning plants with illustrations from his own garden. The garden is sited near an old quarry and it was a herculean task to improve the poor soil. His garden has featured on Anglian TV and it was awarded The Yorkshire Life Garden of the Year. Some of his ideas were from the Heath Robinson school of thought and we were given a plant list of what he includes in his garden, which has weakened one of my new year resolutions by increasing my “plants to buy” list by 500%!

Display Table

The snow and ice prevented members from bringing in items for the table, except for Judith who brought in three Coleus plants from her house. She raised these colourful plants, which root easily in water, from Coleus entered in the last Paxton show.

Next Meeting

2^nd February: Winter containers. Bring plants in pots to create a personal display.

“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.