“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” —William Shakespeare

 

Mini Flower Show

Despite all the recent wind and rain, Friday Forum members managed to bring entries for every class.  Many thanks to Graham Wheatley for judging and to Dorothy for registering the entries.
Here are a selection of the entries received:

 Class 1:  One bloom HT Rose

 

 Class 4:  One vase of Sweet Peas

Class5:  One vase Pinks

 Class 6:  One vase cut flowers judged for frontal effect

 Class 7:  One pot plant

Talk

Friday Forum member Celia gave us another well researched and interesting talk.  This one was on the Poppy which is very fitting on the day the centenary of the Battle of the Somme is commemorated.

Celia told us about the history, myths and even poetry relating to the Poppy.  We learnt that there are over 200 species including the Welsh poppy, the Californian poppy, the Oriental poppy from S. Europe, the red Shirley poppy named after the village where Rev. Wilks lived who found it, and the blue poppy, Meconopsis, which was discovered by a French missionary, Pére Delavay, in 1886 and brought to this country as a pressed flower in 1913 by Francis Kingdon Ward, who grew the seeds.

Display Table

 An examples of the irises potted up at Friday Forum

Ann’s colourful pot contains Mitraria coccinea, Crinodendron hookerianum, Alstromeria, Parochetus communiswith its blue flowers, Gladeolus byzantinus, Tropaeolum polyphyllum, Primula capitata, Dactylorhiza fuchsia, foliosa and maderensis, Dierama igneum

 

 James F Astrantias include  Maxima and Shaggy

 .... and this one is rather different

 Judith's brought her bargain clematis from Morrisons, an interesting plant which is a  relative the carrot family, annual white poppies
and small poppies:  rupifragum, meconopsis cambrica

 

 

Janella discovered that the skunk cabbage plants round her pond were taking up too much water so she is replacing them with Glyceria.  I think my marsh marigold is doing the same.

 

Notice Board

Margaret D thanked everyone who helped at the Paxton Show including the person who made an exceptional chocolate cake.

Reminder :

                                           ☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

On 23^rd July, Friday Forum member Carol Abbott is holding a Garden Party in her multi-award winning garden at 4a Blackwood Rise, Cookridge, LS16 7BG.  The garden will be open between 10:30 and 2:30 with proceeds going to LGI Ward 10 Children’s Renal Unit, a cause dear to her heart.  Carol wants to add to the funds already collected to supply the ward with electronic games for the children who are required to spend long periods of time there. 

Plant sale, craft sales and raffle with great prizes

                                               Entry £3.50 including refreshments

                                            ☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

Norma thanked everyone who supported her open gardens which raised a good amount for Alzheimer’s Society.

Next Meeting

July 15^th:      Visit to the garden of Mrs Elizabeth Bidgood, 4 West Hill Avenue, Leeds LS7 3QH, off Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton.  Turn into Wood Lane, plenty of parking at church.  West Hill Avenue is opposite.
2pm start. Donation to charity and refreshments available.

Second Garden Visit of 2016

The rain held off enough for us to enjoy the garden of Sue Griffiths, a wonderfully tranquil space and haven for wildlife in the centre of busy Headingley.

 

 

 There are lots of roses, many of them scented, planted with perennials

 This pergola is planted up with various climbers including honeysuckle and wisteria

 The silver leaves are, in fact, a garden sculpture

 This is the pond, full of tadpoles

 Members enjoying a cup of tea in the garden room where examples of Sue's artwork can be found on the walls

 Also this weekend, Friday Forum member Norma and two of her neighbours held a “Coffee in the Garden” event for Alzheimer’s Research Trust.

 

 

 

Notice Board

Next meeting:  1^st July – Friday Forum Mini Show.  Just to remind you of the details:-

Class 1  One Bloom HT Rose

Class 2  One Stem Floribunda Rose

Class 3  One Stem any other Rose

Class 4  One vase Sweet Peas

Class 5  One vase Pinks

Class 6  One vase cut flowers, judged for frontal effect

Class 7  One pot plant

You can’t win if you don’t enter!

Date for your diary

On 23^rd July, Friday Forum member Carol Abbott is holding a Garden Party in her multi-award winning garden at 4a Blackwood Rise, Cookridge, LS16 7BG.  The garden will be open between 10:30 and 2:30 with proceeds going to LGI Ward 10 Children’s Renal Unit, a cause dear to her heart.  Carol wants to add to the funds already collected to supply the ward with electronic games for the children who are required to spend long periods of time there.  Donations £3.00 and refreshments are available.

First garden visit of 2016; The Old Vicarage at Whixley

What a wonderful way to start off this year’s garden visits!  Everyone was enchanted by this delightful plot and amazed to find that owner, Biddy Marshall, transformed it from a barren patch.

 An elegant house forms the backdrop of this garden

  

New vistas were discovered round every corner and arches, trellis and gazebos and trees gave height and interest. 

 

 

 Planting in the shady area

The attractive and innovative planting was set off by the pristine lawns.  We were treated to a lovely afternoon tea which we enjoyed in the many seating areas dotted around the garden, from where we could appreciate the view.

There were plenty of ideas to copy and we had a thoroughly enjoyable visit; even the weather was kind.

If you missed this visit, the garden is open as part of the National Garden Scheme on 22^nd June.

Next meeting:

17^th June - Visit to the garden of Mrs Sue Griffiths, 14a Wood Lane, Headingley LS6 2AE.  Meet at Paxton at 1.45 to travel together as there is very limited parking at this venue.