Hello everyone.
I hope, unlike me, you are managing to adapt your garden maintenance to the ever-changing weather patterns we have now.
Every time I venture out, ready to get on with the ever-growing mountain of weeding, planting, watering etc., the skies darken, and the rain comes down.
Even a visit or two to open gardens in the wind and the rain is not such an attractive idea. But us gardeners are a hardy bunch and members have been out and about visiting gardens far and wide. Matthew posted pix from his visit to Woodchester Park Gardens – a stunning display of mixed borders, a cutting garden, pond and rose terrace. Christopher and Rosemary (who must win the club prize for the number of gardens they visit!) spent an afternoon at Picton Castle in Pembrokeshire, a stunning walled garden with unusual plants, a fernery and medicinal plants collection.
Members have also been sharing their garden pictures on our WhatsApp group. Rosemary showed us her “whopper” courgette, big enough to feed a family and Gillian was (rightly) proud of her slugless flowering hosta. Lots of colour pix too of members’ gardens including Matthew’s colourful borders and Christopher’s acers illuminated by a summer sunset. There is much joy and inspiration to be had for these frequent exchanges and also support when things don’t go quite according to plan!
Our club visits continued with a trip to Sezincote House, followed by Kiftsgate Gardens. The exterior of Sezincote House and the gardens have a distinctly Indian feel with a collection of statuary, turrets and temples and a small pavilion. The showstopper is the magnificent orangery, where visitors can enjoy tea and cake. And the house is not what you would expect, with elaborate Georgian style interior design. Kiftsgate, known for its roses, is a cornucopia of exuberant and colourful planting, and for some calm in the storm, the unexpectedly contemporary pond with its swaying heart sculptures is a delight. We were caught in some quite heavy downpours, but it did not dampen our enjoyment of the day.
If you would like to join us for summer visits and winter talks, please do contact Christo.p.bailey@outlook.com for details of membership. You are welcome to attend as a guest before committing, and we would be happy to show you what a lively and friendly bunch we are!
We look forward to welcoming you very soon.
Sue Oakey