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 […]
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 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”. […]
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” 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” 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” 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?” 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 […]
“LOBELIAS, NOT JUST A BEDDING PLANT” Barry Clarke, a member of Plant Heritage and a botanist and horticulturalist with Hillier Gardens, holds the National Collection of lobelias, among others. What many of us may not realize is that there are over 360 different species of lobelia, spread throughout the world. From the small, snow-hardy alpine […]
Wednesday March 18th saw The Club’s Annual General Meeting and Bulb Show, held at the Millennium Memorial Hall. Ted Ashley, Chairman, welcomed the 68 members present and acknowledged their contribution to the past happy and successful year. The monthly meetings had featured excellent speakers on a range of topics, including ponds, garden containers, ideas for […]
