Visit to Sue Jackman’s Garden – 16 July 2023 by Christine Hall

Our ‘Meet the Gardener’ visit for July this year was to Sue Jackman’s lovely garden at Great Totham.  About thirty members came on what was a very sociable and fun afternoon.  I found the garden had matured considerably since I visited ten to twelve years ago.   Part way down the garden there is a hot border on the right-hand side of the path with kniphofias, heleniums etc.  There are lilies in abundance as well as clematis.  In a corner near the house Sue has alpine troughs and various plants in containers.

I was impressed with the Thalictrum delavayi just beside the garden gate as one enters the back garden which had grown to about 6 feet in height.  I have a white one to which I have been giving lots of tender, loving care but this is only about a foot high!  Admittedly the main stem broke off in the wind earlier this summer or maybe it was gnawed by something.   Towards the end of our visit, we enjoyed the delicious cakes and refreshments.

This was a very pleasant and enjoyable afternoon and in spite of our very changeable, wet weather this July, it remained dry and sunny.   

Shona Lockheart, one of our committee members, has won a Gold Medal at the Gardeners World Live Show. The category was ‘Beautiful Borders’. Congratulations Shona this is a great achievement!

It’s not easy building a show garden and we couldn’t be more proud of her. Here are some pictures of the finished garden.

This month we took a coach trip to Cambridge visiting 3 beautiful gardens.

The day out visiting three gardens around Cambridge, started early with picking up the coach at Boreham Village. Always a lot of chatting when hardy planters get together and this was no exception. Each of the gardens visited was a reflection of its owner and thus very different. While having our tea and cakes (or a lovely cream tea at one garden) we discussed that particular garden, maybe even go back to check something that you missed but another member spotted as a “treasure”. Hug old woodland trees or sit on a seat swing gently rocking and contemplating a colourful flower bed. Walking through a gate, confronting a perfect traditional thatched cottage with a garden matching, full of colour and old favourites. A happy day, beautifully organised with a bunch of friendly, knowledgeable people, sharing their love of gardens and gardening.

Rusi Hodivala

Here are some more hardy geraniums for a sunny position. From left to right:

Wlassovianum, Elke, Syrak, Elworthy Eyecatcher, Jolly Jewell Purple, Pink Delight, Dragonheart, Fran’s Star.

We were pleased to welcome new members to a meeting at Margot Grice’s beautiful garden ‘Dragons’. A lovely message was sent to us from one of the attendees:-

“As new members of the Essex  Hardy Plants Society we were welcomed by Margot Grice to her amazing garden in Roxwell. We were overwhelmed with the variety of unusual plants that fill her garden. Margot was so helpful to me as I am creating a new garden as I only moved in a year ago and to my friend Jan a very experienced gardener we felt at ease immediately we arrived. We really enjoyed our day and look forward to further events we are hoping to attend

Many Thanks

Marion”