Just when we thought Spring had finally arrived, we have been plunged back into cold, wet and sometimes snowy weather. Hopefully our gardens will not suffer too much and we can look forward to many warmer and longer days of gardening.
Members at Amberley Gardening Club have been very busy of late. One of our new Club initiatives is for members to open their gardens on an ad hoc basis. First Dai and Daphne showed us the delights of, amongst other things, their beautiful wisteria, and an exotic loquat tree. Next, Gill hosted a visit and we admired the swathes of narcissi she and friends had planted in memory of her late husband Ian. And although the day was not particularly bright, the spring greenery was singing, and reflections in the mill pond were breath-taking. Thanks to both.
Our WhatsApp group has been posting pictures of their own gardens, and included several pleas for identification of unknown specimens.
Matthew identified Jen’s delicate white frilly edged narcissus as Split Corona Cassata (sounds like an ice-cream!) while Sue’s request for ideas for a small specimen tree included, thanks to the vagaries of predictive text, a suggestion from Rosmemary for an “Airbus Aucuparia Autumn Spire” (meant to be a “Sorbus”). It wasn’t quite the garden feature Sue was looking for!
Members have also been sharing photos of their plants: Wendy’s tulips and hyacinths are in full bloom, and Jen’s Anagallis Skylover is stunning with its bright blue flowers.
Our programme of talks for this year is now well underway. We enjoyed the talk given by photographer Richard Harvey on “Gloucestershire & Cotswold Gardens” where his work inspired us to plan some garden visits. This summer we have a monthly programme of visits, starting with a trip to Daglingworth House and Cerney House gardens on Thur 19th May.
On Thur 5th May, at 5.30pm, in a departure from the usual meeting at the Parish Rooms in Amberley, we will be led on an evening walk across Minchinhampton Common by Richard Evans of the National Trust.
As you can see, our events and rich and varied, and we have many a laugh along the way. We are always open to new members and guests, so if this newsletter has given you some inspiration, do contact christo.p.bailey@outlook.com for further information.
We wish you all good gardening, and look forward to meeting you very soon.