We started our new Biddenham Gardeners’ Association year with an excellent turn out of members and visitors. The “My Garden” talks, which we feature every January, are always very popular and this year was no exception. Two very different gardens were described:
First up was Jan Page who lives in The Old Barns. Jan’s garden came into being in 1987. It is a small plot 40 ft x 30 ft and originally consisted of just grass and gravel. However, Jan had other plans and over the years has created a very special oasis for many exotic and unusual plants. Walls were built and we enjoyed seeing the photograph of the concrete being piped in over the roof top of the house during the wall’s construction. A most attractive brick shed was built, a pond was formed from an up-ended sewer pipe, an acid bed was made and a raised bed was constructed from stone dug out from the wall foundations. Fresh top soil was brought in to ensure that the many exotic plants were given a good start. Much of Jan’s garden is quite shady but she capitalises on this with a variety of ferns, hostas, azaleas, bamboos and other shade loving plants. In 2014 Jan dug everything out of her garden, she potted plants up and asked friends to look after them for her whilst her garden became a construction site as a new conservatory was built. The garden was replanted with the green and textured plants that Jan favours. Fatsia Japonica, Calthifolia, Asarum, and Zantedeschia to name but a few. Plants are crammed into every space giving an almost tropical feel. A sambucus has not only a rose but also a clematis growing through it. Jan is a true plants person and we were delighted that she was able to share her passion with us this evening. A small selection of photos from Jan’s presentation:
At our November meeting we welcomed Alison Green.
The speaker at our meeting on 15th October was Rob Potterton of Pottertons Nursery near Caistor in Lincolnshire. Rob’s subject was “A Labour of Love. Alpine, plants and bulbs.” His highly informative and entertaining talk was illustrated with excellent photographs and a great many pictures of alpine plants showing the huge range of plants and their vibrant
At our September meeting there was a very good turn out to welcome Darren Lerigo from Essex who set about answering this question.
August was the month of the big wind. Most people probably avoided major damage but there was enough to stir things up in the garden. Some of my dahlias were spoiled and I just got to the vegetables in time to stop the line of runner beans being blown down. It was a salutary reminder of the importance of providing support for plants and checking that the support hasn’t been outgrown.
The subject of
