Hello everyone and welcome to the latest news from Amberley Gardening
Club. Our gardens are beginning to bloom and members have been
sharing photos via our Whatsapp group of spring sightings: Gill’s dwarf
iris Katharine Hodgkin is looking lovely, as are Christopher’s hellebores.
Helen posted some photos of the flora in Christchurch Botanical Gardens,
New Zealand. The colours were so bright compared to our delicate pastel
shades of spring. A few of us visited the Snowdrop Trail event at Hyde last
month; the snowdrops were a picture, a mixture of wild and cultivated
plants, and the weather, for once, was kind to all. A very pleasant way to
spend a Sunday afternoon.
Other news posted by club members described Christopher and
Rosemary’s new development: BadgerGate! They commissioned a local
blacksmith to extend their existing wrought iron gate in a bit to keep the
badgers at bay. And Matthew was busy constructing a rather stylish trellis
as a backdrop to his recently developed planting border. For members, as
for all gardeners, there are plenty of jobs to do this season to prepare for
the coming year.
Our year at Amberley Gardening Club promises talks and events to keep
us engaged and entertained. In April, we welcome blogger Mandy
Bradshaw who will guide us through some of her favourite Cotswold
Gardens in her talk “Beyond the Garden Gate” and in May, clematis
expert Andrew Jeanes will tell us all about clematis and will bring some
samples for purchase. Over the summer months, in June, July and August,
we are busy planning a series of garden visits, and we will also hold our
evening Garden Safari, a tour around a few local gardens, finishing up
with a communal supper, and no doubt, a glass or two of wine!
Our annual Plant Fair is set to take place on Saturday 13th May between
0930-1230 on the green opposite Amberley School. The plants for sale will
include vegetables, perennial and annual flowers, herbs, and shrubs.
Most are grown by members, and for past years we have had kind
donations from local garden centres. So do set the date in your diary.
Our regular talks take place on the second Thursday of the month at
7.30pm in the Parish Room, Amberley. Guest entrance is £4 per person,
so do come along and check us out! If you would like to join us as a
member, annual subscriptions are £15 per person (£25 for couples). For
further information, please contact
Christo.p.bailey@outlook.com
We look forward to seeing you soon.