Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group

OLD NEWS

News 2009

Book now for 'Passionate About Plants' 2010
The next 'Passionate About Plants' will take place on Saturday 27th March 2010

Members Annual Photo Competition 2008 - Results
Results of our third HPS Middlesex Group Annual Photo Competition held in December 2008
Since our group members had proven themselves encouragingly competent with their photography skills over the previous two years it was time to push the boat out as it were with water as the main theme for 2008, and very appropriate it turned out to be for one of the wettest years on record. Members were invited to submit just one photo each based on the theme 'Water in the garden'.

The standard of entry for the 2008 competition was the highest yet, and all participants are to be congradulated on a great effort. We obviously have some tallented image makers among our group.

This year saw a change of voting method with the assembled audience voting on the night. Voting papers and vote counting were kindly organised by Lesley McDonald and the excellent prizes were chosen and sourced by our Chairman, Lyn Smith. Prizes were awarded at the December 1st 2008 meeting as usual by the photo competition organiser, Keith Littlejohns. All entries were on display at the meeting and the three main winners are also be featured here.

Based on the results of 2008, the 2009 competition is going to be something to look forward to.

First Prize: Maureen Murphy

Second Prize: Gillian Russell

Third Prize: Mary Franklin

News 2008

'Passionate About Plants' 2008
Saturday April 26th 2008 - 10am to 4pm
Haydon School, Wiltshire Lane, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 2LX map

The Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group are pleased to announce our third 'Passionate About Plants' event.

See Special Events page for full details

Members Annual Photo Competition 2008
Our third HPS Middlesex Group Annual Photo Competition
Since our group members have proven themselves encouragingly competent with their photography skills over the last two years, it is time to push the boat out as it were with water as the main theme. Members are invited to submit just one photo each based on the theme 'Water in the garden'. This could be simply including a pond, lake, fountain, cascade or other water feature included as part of an overall picture of a garden scene, a close-up of a water garden plant or a reflection of garden plants in a pond or water feature. As long as the photograph includes water as an obvious part of the overall composition it will be acceptable as an entry.

The rules are very simple. You must be a member of The Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group to enter. Only one entry per member is allowed. The entry must be a new photo and have been taken by the member themself during the same year as the competition. Geographic origin of the photo is not restricted just to your own garden, but can be anywhere in the UK or abroad. Photographic prints only will be accepted (derived from digital or conventional film). The preferred sizes are 6" x 4" ( 100mm x 150mm) or 7 " x 5" (175mm x 125mm) - Note: photos will not be judged on size, just the image reproduced.

All entries must be handed in to Keith Littlejohns no later than our penultimate monthly meeting on November 3rd 2008.

Results will be announced at the December 1st 2008 meeting and prizes awarded. All entries will be on display at the meeting and winners will also be featured on this web site.

News 2007

Coach Trip
Wednesday 7th March 2007
Brandymount House and Bramden House, Hampshire

Brandymount House was a revelation in the middle of the lovely Hampshire village of Alresford. With up a short driveway between older buildings, it opened up to a one acre woodland garden. There were still some snowdrops and hellebores and a national collection of daphnes, all in a very naturalised setting, and erythroniums in grassy areas, and a naturalised pond.

Erythroniums at Brandymount House
Photo: Jim Boff

All this was matched by a wonderful selection of homemade cakes to accompany our coffee. Our hosts Caryl and Michael were full of helpful and friendly advice and made us very welcome. Greenhouses and covered raised beds full of very special bulbs and alpines were a source of great interest and enjoyment, and the appearence of a hummingbird hawkmoth on a daphne, completed our visit.

Our afternoon visit to Bramdean House was very different. This was a very large traditional house and garden originating from the 1740's. The Head Gardener welcomed us and then invited us to wander around the six acres which included carpets of early spring bulbs in a naturalised setting, and a great variety of trees and shrubs.

Double hedge of box and yew at Bramdean House
Photo: Jim Boff

We were too early to enjoy the double mirror image herbasceous borders, but could see the beginings of produce in the one acre walled kitchen garden.

Long walk at Bramdean House
Photo: Jim Boff

Overall, an excellent outing and thanks to Monica for arranging and organising a great day out.

Lyn Smith
Vice Chair, Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group

Bogus arborists 'ruining trees'
A recent article from the BBC web site

Although this article specifically relates to the Kent area, it is not the first time that incidents of bogus tree surgeons have been reported from various regions of the UK.

Bogus tree surgeons have ruined people's prize specimens and tree owners should be on the alert, Ashford Council has warned.

The authority said several people were approached in the past fortnight in the South Ashford and Wye area by callers who claimed they had a problem tree.
Tree officer Mark Symonds said: "Sadly, some have been taken in and had prize trees ruined by shoddy workmanship." He said the callers had claimed to be council workers.

Mr Symonds warned people not to be taken in by doorstep callers claiming connections with the council, even if they showed a business card and appeared to have some knowledge of trees.

And he urged people to contact Kent Police or the council's community safety unit "at once", if an incident took place.

"No reputable local tree surgeon would call unannounced in the hope of finding work," he said.

And he said anyone could call themselves a tree surgeon - but he said a competent arborist would have a certificate to show they had been trained and assessed.

They would also often have other arboriculture qualifications along with safety equipment to protect residents, their property, and themselves.

News 2006

Middlesex Group Photo Competition 2006
December 4th - The final results!

Results of the first annual Middlesex Group photo competition:

And here indeed they are. The competition attracted a thoroughly pleasing response and a very fine selection of entries were received, which made the judging all the more difficult. However, this is a competition and therefore by definition there has to be winners.

First Prize: Bob Weeks

Judges comments: "Well achieved photograph. Good use of lighting angle to emphasise the familiar structure and texture of Pennisetum plumes"

Second Prize: Iris Clarke

Judges comments: "Nicely balanced photograph. Camera height and angle just right to give good depth and separation allowing foreground Iris and Lupins especially to be clearly defined, thus revealing their shape and structure. Colour was also considered to be just about as good as you are likely to obtain in a photograph"

Third Prize: Jenny England

Judges comments: "Good technique to retain detail in the delicate white Rose petals. Brave decision to submit photo taken in dull lighting, works very well with subject and conveys a real sense of time in the life cycle of the plant"

Highly Commended : Jim Boff

Highly Commended : Judith Stratton

Highly Commended : Jothy Rainbow

Highly Commended : Pam Heal

Highly Commended : Brian Franklin

This competition was conceived as an enterprise not just to engage members in a bit of friendly competitive rivalry but more importantly to further stimulate our common interest in gardening through the medium of photography. It is hoped that this will become an annual event added to our programme that many will feel encouraged to participate in.

A reminder that although this is a competition, it is genuinely open to every member regardless of how they feel about their photographic abilities. As they say, 'It's the taking part that counts', and you will never know unless you try!

A very big thank you to all who took part. I hope you still managed to enjoy the experience even if you didn't get mentioned in dispatches this time around, and I look forward to receiving even more entries for next year's competition. Details of which will be announced soon.

Keith Litllejohns, Chairman, Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group

Prizes for the competition were generously donated by Derek Curtler (HPSMG Treasurer), Seeds of Italy www.seedsofitaly.com (local, Harrow based company) and Carpenders Park Nursery and Garden Centre www.carpenders-park-nursery.co.uk (long term supporter of HPSMG)

Seed Sales 2006
Get into the habit of collecting seeds!
This is mainly a members only benefit. Seeds are collected throughout the year by members and donated for sale to other members at a very modest 20p per packet.

PLease support this important and useful scheme by collecting seed from your garden. Contact Jean Leach, our Seed Sales Co-ordinator on 01895 823 320 for more information. Do make sure that the seeds are in good condition and properly labelled

'Passionate About Plants'
Saturday May 6th 2006 - 10am to 4pm
Haydon School, Wiltshire Lane, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 2LX

Report on 'Passionate About Plants' 2006

By Keith Littlejohns, Chairman, Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group

Wow! What a wonderful day we all had at 'Passionate About Plants' 2006. More than 300 people attended the event travelling from all over the UK, Ireland and as far away as the south of France. It would seem that from many comments made both by participants and the audience that the day was heralded as a great success.

Dr Brian Dockerill, Chairman of the national Hardy Plant Society was our highly professional MC for the day and he introduced the following speakers. Timothy Walker, Director, Oxford Botanic Garden started off the proceedings at rapid pace making us all laugh with his humorous overtones giving a talk on 'Colour in the Small Garden'. Christopher Bailes, Curator RHS Gardens Rosemoor, followed with a fascinating and informative talk on 'Woodland Perennials' giving us an interesting insight into old favourites as well as some noteworthy less well distributed plants. The speaking part of the event was concluded by Carol Klein, plantswoman and well known presenter on BBC2's Gardeners' World, giving an enthusiastic, and passionate, talk based on her book 'Plant Personalities'.

A list of plants mentioned by Christopher Bailes in his talk is available for pdf download here

Dr Brian Dockerill

Carol Klein

Timothy Walker

Christopher Bailes

Photos: Keith Littlejohns

To satisfy the many plant-a-holics among us, participating nurseries brought along a superb array of plants for sale. Carol Klein's own Glebe Cottage Plants nursery in Devon, also Church Farm Plants, a small nursery specialising in unusual hardy herbaceous perennials and old cottage garden favourites, Jill Starnes specialising in bamboo and interesting shrubs and The Plant Specialists, specialists in unusual herbaceous perennials and grasses. As with our previous event, all nurseries came up trumps with an amazing selection of plants that are not always easy to obtain and are definitely worthy of inclusion in our collections.

Carpenders Park Nursery contributed many plants for our stage display and also had a selection of garden sundries for sale.

A huge thank you from myself to all the presenters and nurseries who took part in 'Passionate About Plants' 2006, the many sponsors, our extremely hard working crew who organised the event and last, but not least, to our wonderful audience for their attendance and very kind comments.

'Passionate About Plants' 2008.......let's wait and see!

Keith Litllejohns, Chairman, Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group

Our Sponsors:

A special thank you to the following organisations that generously gave financial and/or physical support to the event:

Carpenders Park Nursery - Little Oxhey Lane, Near Watford, Herts WD19 5BA
www.carpenders.co.uk

Northwood Trellis - 46 Chester Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 1BH
www.northwoodtrellis.co.uk

Seeds of Italy - C3 Phoenix Ind. Est., Rosslyn Crescent, Harrow HA1 2SP
www.seedsofitaly.com

Waitrose - Kingsend, Ruislip
www.waitrose.com/ruislip

Castledale Building - 93 Toms Lane, Kings Langley, Herts WD4 8NP
Tel: 07957 206 383 Email: dcurtler@hotmail.com

The Financial Planning Partnership - Tel: 01344 778 990
www.fpp-ifa.co.uk

Trend & Thomas - 14 Church Street, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 1DD
www.trendandthomas.co.uk

KL Communications - The Studio, 9 Monro Gardens, Harrow Weald HA3 6HH
www.kl-c.com

Selection of Comments from some of our visitors and participants:

"Just a quick note to congratulate the Middlesex Group on a fantastic lecture day last Saturday. It certainly lived up to its 'Passionate About Plants' tag - all the speakers were excellent and the range of nurseries very good. Both on this and the previous occasion Sue and I have bought plants from The Plant Specialists who always seem to have a few things that we have never seen before."
Dr Brian Dockerill, Chairman, Hardy Plant Society

"I wanted to thank you for all your help before the event, and to tell you how much I enjoyed the whole thing. The speakers were brilliant, each in their own way, and the contrast in the personalities was artfully chosen. It was a beautifully organised, and wholly successful day."
Nicolette Descrieres, Magagnose, France

“We both enjoyed Saturday very much. – it was a very inspiring day. Many thanks to the Middlesex Group for organising the event.”
Maureen Bird, Woking, Surrey

"Thank you so much for a wonderful day - our second visit from Sussex and, if possible, better than last time. Middlesex Group did an outstanding job and we had a marvellous time. We're already looking forward to next time. Also, what a great web site - excellent links - congratulations to all."
Clare Woolcock, Sussex

"Wonderful day Saturday, garden talks etc."
Bev and Chris, Sheffield, Yorkshire

"Thank you for the excellent lecture day with Middlesex hosted earlier this month. I know that such events do not take place without a lot of hard work and meticulous planning before the event, so many congratulations to your team as well for giving us all such a very enjoyable time. I thought you have now established a precedent so I am already looking forward to 2008."
Fran Pattinson, Guildford, Surrey

"I just wanted to thank the committee for such a splendid day on Saturday. Everyone must have worked so hard to make it so successful. I thoroughly enjoyed all the speakers. Chris covered a subject which is not very well known, and I learnt so much. Anf of course the other two were excellent. The plants were very good quality and I won a raffle prize. What more could someone want from a perfect day out."
Janet Tublin, Rickmansworth, Herts

Old News 2005

Public Plant Sales 2005
Saturday 16th April
Saturday 14th May
Saturday 4th June
Public plant sales were held at Manor Farm Hall, St Martins Car Park, Ruislip, Middlesex. Sales started at 10am and ended at 3pm.

Visitors found a varied collection of usual and unusual plants grown by members all of which were offered at very reasonable prices. A percentage of the sale price is always donated to Group funds.

An Evening at Chenies Manor
Monday June 20th - Chenies Manor House Gardens, Evening Visit

An evening at Chenies, the delightful country house gardens at Chenies in Buckinghamshire. The manor house has beautiful gardens including an extensive Physic Garden and two mazes.

Members comments on the visit were:

"such a lovely time of day to appreciate the gardens"
"there were times when we felt that we were the only people in the garden"
"the staff were very friendly and welcoming"

The evening was considered such a success that a similar event is planned for next year.

Chenies - Photo: Maureen Murphy

Chenies - Photo: Maureen Murphy

Chenies - Photo: Maureen Murphy

Coach Trip, June 2005
Saturday June 25th - Sissinghurst and Great Comp

Our annual coach trip this year took us to Sissinghurst in Kent, the world famous Gardens created by Vita Sackville-West and Sir Harold Nicholson and to Great Comp, the superb 7 acre garden created by Eric Cameron.

Plant sales were eagerly sought out at both venus. Morning coffe was enjoyed at Sissinghurst, a welcomed luncheon break was taken at a local Inn followed by afternoon tea in the peaceful surroundings of Great Comp.

Sissinghurst - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Sissinghurst - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Sissinghurst - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Great Comp - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Great Comp - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Great Comp - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Chenies Manor Plant and Garden Fair
Sunday July 17th - Chenies Manor House Gardens

Chenies Plant and Garden Fair - Photo: Marcelle Maloney

Chenies Manor Plant and Garden Fair has been a traditional event for the Middlesex Group to attend and take part in for several years now. We show a display stand well stocked with plants and use the event to promote the Society and encourage new members.

Once again Lyn, Marcelle, Jane and Valerie took on the task of preparing and organising everything and they also looked after the stand throughout the day.

Garden Open Days 2005
During the year, Iris Clarke and Keith Littlejohns opened their gardens for viewing by fellow gardening enthusiasts.

Sunday 19th June 2-4pm - The garden of Iris Clarke
Iris’s garden is crammed with a delicate soft planting of roses and clematis and many perennials, all in an interesting layout that fortunately gave us plenty of shady corners on a very hot day.

Sunday 31st July 2-8pm - The garden of Keith Littlejohns
Keith has spent the last couple of years re-landscaping the garden at the rear of his home. His garden is full of interest and creative ideas, with beautiful landscaped stone and water features and a wealth of interesting planting.

Keith's Garden Social - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Keith's Garden Social - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Keith's Garden Social - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

There was a good take-up of visitors to both open days and this should encourage other members to consider opening their garden next year.

Seed Sales 2005
This is mainly a members only benefit. Seeds are collected and donated by members for sale to other members at a very modest 20p per packet.

If you require further information about any of the above, please contact The Secretary.

Old News 2004

Coach Trip, June 2004

On Saturday 26th June, members took part in an organised coach trip and visited three gardens in Northamptonshire. The itinerary included Jean Goodall's garden at Banbury Road near Banbury, Cotton Manor, Guisborough and The Old Rectory, Sudborough. Although it rained for a fair portion of the day, enthusiasm for the visits was still very evident.

Jean Goodall's garden - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Jean Goodall's garden - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Coton Manor - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

Coton Manor - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

The Old Rectory - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

The Old Rectory - Photo: Keith Littlejohns

'Passionate About Plants' May 2004

Saturday, 8th May 2004 saw 250 gardening enthusiasts gather at Haydon School Hall, Pinner Middlesex to enjoy an exciting new venture. The event, a first for the Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group, brought together an interesting group of speakers all giving a presentation on the theme of 'Passionate About Plants'

Dr Brian Dockerill, Chairman HPS conducted the proceedings and introduced Roy Lancaster OBE VMH the well known plantsman, writer and broadcaster, Timothy Walker, Director University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Derry Watkins nursery owner. Each speaker brought a different perspective to the topic of 'Passionate About Plants' and all were brimming full of enthusiasm to convey their personal observations and experiences.