The National Garden Scheme by Martyn Cox

Annually, throughout the country, gardens are opened for the National Garden Scheme, this year 150, all featured in “The yellow Book”, in Hampshire alone. Mainly privately owned, remarkably varied in size and design, they have quality, character and interest in common. Money raised through the scheme funds a number of nursing charities. Our speaker on […]

AGM and Bulb Show

Another successful year for the Club was acknowledged by the Chairman, Ted Ashley at its AGM and Bulb Show. A wide variety of topics had been covered in talks given by excellent speakers at the monthly meetings held in The Millenium Memorial Hall, Littleton. Well attended, enjoyable group visits to Arundel Castle Gardens and Denmans […]

Grasses: More Wow and Less Work by Neil Lucas

The title of the talk given to the Club by Neil Lucas was “Grasses: More Wow and Less Work”. Neil is a leading ornamental grass specialist and owner of Knoll Gardens Nursery and show gardens, in Dorset. He describes himself as a “hands on” gardener, “on the job for twenty years,” during which he has […]

The Plant Doctor by Roger Hirons

Plants for British Gardeners Linked to Ecology. The talk was given by Roger Hirons, “The Plant Doctor”, an expert on plants and garden design, with over 20 years of horticultural experience. His formal training was at Pershore College of Horticulture, followed by many years working in the industry. He gives talks on gardening, on a […]

Shrubs, The Backbone Of Your Garden by Geoff Hawkins

Shrubs, The Backbone Of Your Garden was the title of the talk given to the Club by Geoff Hawkins, Horticultural Speaker, Broadcaster and Gardening Consultant. He advised starting with a good garden design, remembering that shrubs are there all the time, a constant through the changing seasons, so it is important “to get it right”. […]

Hostas by John Baker

John Baker and his wife June Colley, who has a Masters in Botany, hold the National Collection of Hostas in their Hampshire garden, which has featured in Monty Don’s BBC programme. John gave the Club an absorbing, detailed account of the plant he terms “The Perfect Perennial”. Originating in Northern China – then Manchuria, they […]

Daffodils in my rucksack by Derrick Donnison Morgan

“DAFFODILS IN MY RUCKSACK” was the intriguing title of the talk given to The Littleton and Harestock Gardening Club. The rucksack belongs in fact to Derrick Donnison Morgan, who studied as a botanical horticulturalist at Chelsea Physic Garden, London, and the University of Plymouth. He lived in South Eastern Spain for nine years where he […]

Making the most of your Greenhouse by Nick Morgan

“Making the most of your Greenhouse” Littleton and Harestock Gardening Club welcomed the return of Nick Morgan as the guest speaker in July to advise on greenhouses. Nick last spoke to the Club in 2009 and is a former Sparsholt College lecturer known to many Club members. He now acts in a senior glasshouse specialist […]

How to make Gardening Easier by Ray Broughton

“How to make Gardening Easier” The speaker at our June meeting was the Club’s President Ray Broughton. Ray is a highly qualified horticulturist, teacher, lecturer and examiner, with 30 years experience of speaking to horticulture clubs and societies. His subject ”How to make gardening easier” must surely have general as well as specific appeal and […]

WEEDS: CAN WE EVER WIN? by Dr Alick Jones

“WEEDS: CAN WE EVER WIN?” The speaker at Littleton and Harestock Gardening Club meeting on 20th May was Dr Alick Jones. A retired professional biologist, he has been a lecturer at Reading University, has worked in many countries, and has been a member of a winning team at Chelsea. A potentially serious subject for gardeners […]