Buddleja: The National Collection by Peter Moore

Our July speaker was Peter Moore, his subject “Buddleja: The National Collection”. “ A Flower for All Seasons”. Peter started his career in horticulture working for Hilliers, ultimately for 36 years. He went to Longstock Park Nursery as a propagator, where for 13 years he has been in charge of the renowned Buddleja Collection. Since […]

New developments in horticulture by Ray Broughton

The speaker at the June meeting of Littleton and Harestock Gardening club was our own Club President, Ray Broughton. Ray is a highly qualified horticulturist, teacher, lecturer and examiner, with over 30 years experience of addressing gardening clubs and societies. His talk, illustrated with slides, referred to new developments in horticulture, and we were also […]

My Life in Gardening by Emma Sharpe

Our guest speaker on 18th May was Emma Sharpe, Head Gardener at Winchester Cathedral, her topic “My Life in Gardening.” Following graduation from Liverpool University Emma travelled in India, Australia and South East Asia, worked in London and later moved to Hampshire. A long cherished interest in horticulture prompted an application to WRAGS (the horticultural […]

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 […]