Second Garden Visit of 2017

Garden Visits
Although it rained in the morning, it had cleared by the afternoon and Friday Forum members were able to appreciate the gardens (and refreshments) of Norma, Caroline and Sarah.
Unfortunately I was unable to be there, but Norma kindly sent some photos to show what I missed

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Next Meeting

4^th August:  A presentation on Hostas by Sue Proctor who will bring plants for sale.

Mini Summer Show

The number of entries for Friday Forum’s Mini Summer Show was most encouraging.  Judging was carried out by Tony Booth and Graham Wheatley, with Gill Evans judging Class 8, assisted by Dorothy as Steward and Rose as Show Secretary.
CLASS 1: One bloom HT Rose

 

 First prize:  Eric

CLASS 2: One Stem Floribunda Rose

 

 1st Prize: 

CLASS 3:  One Stem any other Rose

 

 1st Prize

CLASS 4:  One vase Sweet Peas

 

 1st Prize:  Judith

CLASS 5:  One vase Pinks

 

 1st Prize

CLASS 6:  One vase cut flowers, judged for frontal effects

 

 1st Prize:  Margaret Denton

CLASS 7:  One pot plant

 1st Prize:  Norma

CLASS 8:  Flower arranging – Take Five Flowers

 1st Prize:  Sue Gray

Display Table

Graham’s Regal Pelargonium Judith

Judith brought a attractive Oxalis, from which some members have already taken successful cuttings

Judith’s rescue plant from a Pound Shop which she has nursed to full health but must wait for it to flower before it can be identified

Janella’s Echinacea

 Dorothy’s Lily which she grew from a scale

Notice Board

Graham reported that the Paxton Summer Show and Plant Sale was well attended and he thanked everyone who helped.

Date for your diaries:  2018 will mark the 50 year anniversary of the Paxton Building and a celebratory lunch will be held on Saturday 16^th June with a talk on Joseph Paxton.

A grant has been acquired for the renewal of the drive of Paxton Hall and work will commence soon.

Next Meetings

21^st July:  Visits to gardens in Horsforth.  Please see our Garden Visits 2017 page for full details.

4^th August:  A presentation on Hostas by Sue Proctor who will bring plants for sale.

Three Gardens in Lincolnshire

Janella organised a fabulous day trip this year to  visit three gardens in Lincolnshire. What follows is a photographic journal of our day but the pictures cannot hope to do justice to the real thing!  Click on the links to the gardens for the full history and design features.

First stop was Brightwater Gardens at Saxby http://brightwatergardens.co.uk

 

We were welcomed by Chris Neave who told us of the history of the site and told us that the key to designing a garden is to keep it simple

 The The Husqvarna Automower is a robot that cuts the grass for you — quietly, not reliant on good weather or tea and biscuits but just charges itself up.  #mower envy

 James and daughter

 The Poppies were stunning.  Close up the area was made up of many different coloured flowers, both single and double forms

 

There is also a church which was probably designed by Capability Brown about 1775 and family mausoleum plus a green burial meadow.

Before we left, the Red Arrows who are based at nearby RAF Scampton gave us a spectacular aerial display emitting streams of red, white and blue as they prepared for the Trooping of the Colour the next day.

We couldn't imagine that the other gardens could live up to this one, so we were well impressed with our second garden, Goltho Gardens at Wragby  http://www.golthogardens.com/  complete with coffee shop and nursery open to the public.

 Debbie Hollingworth, garden creator and Head Gardener

 Double herbaceous borders with paths leading off to smaller gardens

 

 Bridge over a boggy area

Last but not least was Mill Farm at Grasby.   https://www.millfarmgarden.co.uk/

 With a view of the Lincolnshire Wolds, this garden had the wow factor at every turn

 Helen and Mike Boothman spend all their time on this garden

 The pond

 We wondered why the swing didn't take in the view

 

 

The fernery was in a former mill

Three wonderful gardens, lovely company plus tea and cake, we came home laden with plants and ideas.  A day to remember!

Notice Board

The Paxton Summer Show on 24^th June

Next Meeting

 The next meeting is the Friday Forum mini show on 7^th July and categories are as follows:

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 effects

CLASS 7:  One pot plant

CLASS 8:  Flower arranging – Take Five Flowers

It’s the taking part that matters!