RHS Tatton Park Flower Show

It was lovely weather for the day trip to Tatton Park flower show arranged by Hardy Plants Society.

The event was well organised with plenty of room for everyone to look around. The floral marquee showcased the best plants available by the growers.

There were talks by Arit Anderson, Gardeners’ World presenter and garden designer, and by Jonathan Mosely who gave a presentation on flower arrangements making them look quick and easy to create.  One marquee housed floral installations with the theme of mental and physical health.

Cafes catered for all tastes from Paella to Fish and Chips. There were stalls selling all things gardenrelated from gardening gloves at £1.00 to marble sculptures which would set you back thousands. Other stalls were selling specialist foods and drinks, dresses, scarves, bags and candles.

Live music gave a festive feeling and we sat with our ice-creams and sang along. Gardeners’ World presenters Adam Frost and Frances Tophill were being filmed in one of the many fabulous show gardens.

Happily exhausted, we staggered back to the coach with our newly purchased plants with Ann coming first for buying the most!

Friday Forum Summer Show

The show was well subscribed and we thank the judges, John and Eric, who did a great job. John explained the good and bad points of the plants, giving us more pointers for displaying next time.

Well done to all who entered and the results are as follows:

Dorothy won first prize for her single stem roses in classes 1 and 2

 Sue Gray won first prize for her 3 blooms in class 3

Kate won first prize for her sweet peas in class 4

Judith won first prize for her vase of cut flowers in class 5

 Kate won first prize for her flowering pot plant in class 6

 Dorothy won first prize for classes 7 and 8 for her non flowering pot plant and her vegetables

Also, congratulations to Kate who won the members' category in the Paxton show with her Hosta blue mouse ears

Display Table

 Kate brought in a selection of hardy geraniums including Geranium Rozanne, psilostemon,  Ann Folkard, Patricia, Blueberry Ice and Silverwood

Judith brought the flower of her phytolacca to show us

 As always we had delicious cake and scones provided by Liz

Next Meetings

Thursday 18th July: Day trip for those members who have pre-booked.  An email has been sent out recently from Linda Butterfield.  

Friday August 2nd:  Garden visit.  Details to follow 

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.