Please note that the speaker has been changed for this Sunday’s meeting:
Our Speaker is now Michael Lavelle from Writtle University College, subject “Adapating our Gardening to Climate Change”.
Next Meeting this Sunday 8th December
We are looking forward to our next meeting this Sunday 8th December at Wickham Bishops Village Hall. Our guest speaker is Tom Cole and the subject is ‘Climbers and Wall Shrubs’. Doors open at 1.30pm. Our meeting starts with announcements at 2.00 followed by the lecture, then the raffle, festive snacks, tea and coffee.
Tom has been involved in land-based education since 1991. He was a lecturer at Capel Manor College, which culminated in becoming Head of Horticulture in 1997-2009. This role involved overseeing and leading a team based at 5 sites covering the London area. During 2009, Tom moved to Writtle University College as a Curriculum Manager, overseeing Further Education covering Agriculture, Countryside and Horticulture. During 2010 he became the Head of Faculty.
More recently, Tom has spent much of his time delivering RHS qualifications at Capel Manor College. He is an RHS Associate and speaker, qualification writer for Pearson/ BTEC and marks RHS Level 2 exams. Tom is also currently expanding a small, but perfectly formed soft landscape and maintenance business. Aside from teaching, he regularly broadcasts on BBC Radio Essex with Ken Crowther and contributes to various garden magazines
We look forward to seeing you there.
Next Meeting this Sunday 10th November
We are looking forward to our next meeting this Sunday 10th November at Wickham Bishops Village Hall. The meeting starts at 2.00pm with our AGM which we expect to last approximately 1/2 an hour. There has been a change to our programme and our speaker is Chris Cheswright and the subject is ‘Japan and it’s Gardens’. Doors open at 1.30pm. Our meeting starts with announcements at 2.00. Following the AGM and Lecture will be the raffle, tea & cake and plant sales.
Chris opens his garden, 2 Cedar Avenue, Wickford, for the National Garden Scheme. He is also Secretary for the Essex Hardy Plant Society.
Next Meeting Sunday 13th October
We are looking forward to our next meeting in a weeks time on Sunday 13th October at Wickham Bishops Village Hall. Our guest speaker is Fergus Garrett and the subject is ‘Designing with Plants’. Doors open at 1.30pm. Our meeting starts with announcements at 2.00 followed by the lecture, then the raffle, tea & cake and plant sales.
Fergus Garrett VMH, Head Gardener at Great Dixter
“One of the most influential living garden designers”
Fergus studied horticulture at Wye College, University of London and was appointed as Head Gardener of Great Dixter in 1993. He is now CEO of The Great Dixter Charitable Trust. Among other honours, Fergus was given the Royal Horticultural Society Associate of Honour in 2008, in 2015, the Veitch Memorial Medal for outstanding contribution to the practise of horticulture, and in 2019 The Victoria Medal of Honour – the highest accolade given to British Gardeners by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Fergus has received many national and international awards for his work in education, horticulture and biodiversity. His interest lies in plant associations and communities in the wild, biodiversity, meadow gardening, layered planting, as well as peasant and artisan life, and the training of the young.
The heir, in more senses than one, to Christopher Lloyd, Fergus Garrett will talk about layering and succession planting in the herbaceous border.
This will be a very popular meeting. Please arrive in good time to get a seat. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining our Group, please encourage them to come. The charge for visitors is £2.
Meeting Sunday 15th September
We look forward to welcoming members back after the summer break. Our meeting is this Sunday 15th September at Wickham Bishops Village Hall. Our guest speaker is Andy Thomas and the subject is ‘The Crop Circle Mystery’. Doors open at 1.30pm. Our meeting starts with annoucements at 2.00 followed by the lecture then the raffle, tea & cake and plant sales.
Andy explores the extraordinary phenomenon of crop circles. He reveals the fascinating history and intriguing arguments around these controversial but stunning patterns which appear in fields every year.
We look forward to seeing you all there.
Autumn Plant Fair at Markshall!
This year the Autumn Plant Fair hosted by Essex Plant Heritage is being held at Markshall in Coggeshall, Essex. This event is perfect for both experienced and novice gardeners looking to expand their plant collections and gardening knowledge.
Date: 14 Sep – 15 Sep from 10am – 4pm
Address: Markshall, Marks Hall Road, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG
Free entry as part of heritage open days.
Highlights Include:
- Rare and unusual plants for sale
- Meet National Plant Collection Holders
- Connect with various plant societies
- Gain insights from guest speakers and receive gardening advice
- Take advantage of the plant creche
- Explore specialist nurseries
- Network with fellow gardening enthusiasts in the local community
While you’re there, enjoy the beauty of Markshall’s Walled Gardens, Lakes, and Arboretum, and don’t forget to visit the Honywood Tearoom for a delightful refreshment.
Come and be part of this vibrant gardening community event! We look forward to seeing you there.
No need to book, just turn up!
Holiday and Day Trip Pictures!
Our group recently went on a fantastic 3 day holiday to Manchester and then a day trip to Norfolk. Here are some of the wonderful pictures taken by our members.
Three Day Holiday to RHS Bridgewater, Cholmondoley Castle Gardens, Stretton Old Hall, Ashwood Nursery and John’s Garden (John Massey).
Day Trip to Bressingham Gardens, Peter Beales Roses and Nursery and The Plantman’s Preference nursery.
HPS Essex Conservation Scheme Meeting
The Essex Conservation Group met up for our May meeting at ‘Dragons’, the lovely garden developed by Margot Grice. We were lucky that it didn’t rain, but all managed to enjoy talking about the plants while sitting around a table on the patio. Last year’s successes and failures were discussed, along with plans for the coming year.
Slugs and snails seem to be the major pest this spring, not surprising considering all the rain we have had, and the mild winter. In spite of this, many members brought plants they had propagated either by division or cuttings to pass around to other growers.
The meeting finished with tea and coffee, along with some nice cakes. Beryl Davis deserves special mention for her delicious marmalade cake – yum yum!
The final treat of the day was Margot’s stunning plant of Rodgersia podophylla ‘Instow’, growing next to her pond. This plant has been in the scheme since 2008, but is not often offered in the annual exchange. This is the first year it had flowered for Margot, no doubt due to all the rain. It was particularly lovely surrounded by her red tulips ‘Sprengeri’.
Moore and Moore Plants get a Chelsea Gold!
Huge congratulations go to Moore and Moore plants, based in Billericay, who have won a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. Lynne and Steve Moore are members of Essex Hardy Plant Society, Lynne and her team work extremely hard specialising in shade tolerant and woodland plants. After months of planning, prepping, planting and growing their largest ever display their work has been rewarded. https://www.mooreandmooreplants.co.uk
Mayfield Farm Visit 16th May
It was lovely to see everyone at Mayfield Farm today – thank you for joining me.
We were so lucky with the weather and what a beautiful garden to enjoy. Ed Fairey entertained us with funny stories about the creation of the garden and interesting facts about the plants (particularly the trees that he has collected). And all rounded off with a smashing cup of tea/coffee and a slice of cake. A perfect afternoon!
I look forward to seeing some of you again shortly on the Norfolk coach trip (full details will be sent to those participating nearer the time) and hope to see many of you on the next self-drive trips (Furzelea in August and Feeringbury Manor in September).
Until then – Happy gardening
With all best wishes
Sian Bewick – Outings
Essex HPS 