Enjoying dahlias and chrysanthemums by Bryan J Madders

Bryan J. Madders, who has been Chairman of the New Forest Dahlia and Chrysanthemum Society and is a public speaker and judge spoke to Club members about these varied and rewarding plants. The chrysanthemum came from China, and is also the national flower of Japan. They can be grown from seed, the early forms lasting […]

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February

Austen concentrated this month on preparation and tips for the March bulb show. Split canes are useful for supporting plants. Remember that bulbs need plenty of water. Cut daffodils should be cut the day before the show, and put into water to swell up. Whatever you are showing , always aim to get a group […]

Beautiful Bulbs by Andy McIndoe

Andy McIndoe, Writer, Lecturer and Broadcaster gave the Ted Wedge Memorial Lecture to Littleton and Harestock Gardening Club, his subject “Beautiful Bulbs.” We were reminded that a bulb is the first plant we all grow, often a hyacinth, and that both Spring and Summer bulbs are a great way to add colour, and, in pots, […]

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January

Recommended to get carrots underway now by planting seeds in 5-inch pots and putting them on a windowsill. Early Nantes is a good variety. At the same time the ground where you plan to grow them should be covered in order to get the soil warmer. If you make a simple cold-frame to do this […]

Camellias by Jennifer Trehane

Jennifer Trehane, Plantswoman, Lecturer and Broadcaster gave a talk on Camellias to the Littleton and Harestock Gardening Club. The Camellia is a genus of flowering plants, (shrubs and trees), in the family “theaceae”, found in Eastern and Southern Asia, from the Himalayas to Japan and Indonesia. There are 300 species and around 3,000 hybrids. The […]

Vegetable Growing by Kelvin Mason

Vegetable Growing was the subject of a talk given by Kelvin Mason, Lecturer in horticulture at Sparsholt College. Kelvin prefaced his main subject by pointing out that the current economic climate in the UK and Euro market is experiencing rising prices, so it is cost effective to grow vegetables now. Seed catalogues are currently available […]

My Time With Hilliers And Chelsea by Ricky Dorlay

“My Time With Hilliers And Chelsea” was the subject of the talk given to the Club by Ricky Dorlay. After leaving school Ricky worked on a farm, as a student, with pedigree pigs and Guernsey cows, on a small-,holding with Ayrshires, and again on the 120 acre farm. When it was bought by Sir Harold […]

The Hillier Gardens Throughout the Year by David Jewell

David Jewell, former Wisley Superintendent, and currently Head of the Plant Collection at Hillier Gardens spoke to the Club about The Hillier Gardens Throughout the Year. Originally created by Sir Harold Hillier who collected seeds and plants worldwide, the Gardens span 180 acres and receive 200,000 visitors annually. It is a charitable trust with a […]

The White Garden by Chris Bird

“The White Garden” was the subject of the talk given by Chris Bird, a broadcaster and lecturer at Sparsholt College. A knowledgeable and humorous speaker, who engaged with his receptive audience, Chris showed in many slides, how all year round interest can be achieved using not only flowers but shrubs, trees and imaginative features. Starting […]

Passion for Poppies by Sandy Worth

Sandy Worth spoke about her “Passion for Poppies”. She previously created a recognized collection of Papaver orientale , went on to trial some Super Poppy hybrids, and thence developed her own varieties, with equal success. Sandy advised that her collection is closed, at present, but she showed us photographs, taken by a professional, depicting stunningly […]