'bringing gardeners together'

NEWSLETTER June 2015

Hello Everyone,

Well, the month of May was a very exciting one in the gardening calendar. Not only are our gardens now filling to bursting point with plants and flowers, some picked up at our very successful Plant Extravaganza, last month we have also enjoyed - or endured depending on your viewpoint - the world famous Chelsea Flower Show with no less than nineteen episodes covering the event on TV. Thankfully, in this house anyway, Chelsea falls outside of the football season!

For many of us, the rose is the flower that comes to mind when we think of the month of June. David Austin Roses won their nineteenth gold medal at Chelsea and Desdemona, (pictured) is one of their three beautiful new varieties this year.

Did you know that Empress Josephine Bonaparte's favourite flower was the rose? By 1814 her rose collection was the greatest and largest rose collection in the world. In her obsession to fill the gardens of Malmaison, (her country chateau), with plants in the 'English Style', Josephine broke the law by asking the French Navy to bring her plants and seeds from captured enemy ships. Luckily for Josephine her husband turned a blind eye to this.

Lots to look forward to this month including the Kinver Open Gardens and some very enticing trips.

Have a really enjoyable June in your gardens.

Best wishes,

Carole

Chairman - Mrs Geraldine Wooddisse. Treasurer - Mrs Rosemary Pope.

Secretary - Mrs Carole Lacy email Tel 01384 873321

www.kinverhorti.org.uk Charity No. 701258

Beryl writes - Our May meeting, and once again we welcomed Hilary Twigg, this time to tell us all about 'Easy Vegetables to Grow'.
Here are a few of her tips. Half fill your pots with garden soil, they don't dry out so quickly and retain minerals longer, use your supermarket plastic containers to plant cress, radish, lettuce and even watercress on your windowsill. Try Cobra climbing French beans they're self fertile, Swiss Chard planted after the 21st June will give you veg for all through the winter. Don't throw unused seeds away as they are still good even after their use by date, just keep them in a tin in a cool place. So good luck with your growing. Hilary is a most entertaining speaker, and happy to answer your questions.
Rosemary Pope was this month's competition winner both for the flower of the month and for a photograph of garden wildlife.
Our Garden Extravaganza was once again a great success with a good variety of plants donated by members and local garden centres, and a big thank you to Jane and David Bills for the use of their beautiful garden.
Our Next Meeting
/ Thursday 25th June
7.30 pm
St Peter's Church Hall
Vicarage Drive
Robin Pearce
'Dahlias'
Una Dunnett should have been talking to us about Hostas but unfortunately, due to family illness, has had to postpone her talk. However we are very privileged to welcome back Robin Pearce, retired Pershore College lecturer and, until recently, joint owner with his wife Kristina of World's End Nursery in Hallow, Worcester.
Dahlias have enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years. Leaner, sleeker and more interestingly coloured, today's dahlias are very different from the old types that were bred mainly for cut blooms or show competitions. They are now invaluable for the summer border and would look equally at home in a cottage garden or patio pots.
Not convinced? Well come along and let Robin challenge us to think differently.
There will also be Plants for Sale
The monthly competition for June will be
1. Vase of Flowering Shrub 2. Any Garden Flower
*Please note the 'Garden Flower of the Month' should be a single stem only.

Gardening is good for our health.

Dr Bird, who has 30 years’ experience as a GP, and Dr Van Den Bosch, medical doctor and researcher at the Swedish University of Agriculture, and a World Health Organisation consultant, spoke at the RHS Lindley Hall on 13 November 2014. They made the case for gardening and horticulture to be available on the NHS. Among the arguments the speakers put forward to support their assertion was that access to green spaces and gardens promote physical activity - and that when people undertake physical activity outdoors they are more likely to stick with it, and even work harder, than if they did the same activity indoors. They also argued that contact with plants provides a sense of place, a way for humans to connect with their environment and their place in life, which is critical for mental wellbeing.

Dr Van Den Bosch said: “Apart from preventing diseases, horticulture and horticulture therapy are used to treat many conditions of ill-health, including cancer rehabilitation, depression, post-traumatic stress disorders, and various behavioural disturbances. There is now enough evidence to include gardening and nature in the health care agenda. The key point is that gardening, plants and horticultural activities are excellent tools for creating a healthier society where the costs of health care and human suffering can be substantially reduced.”

(Well we could have told them that all along couldn't we?)

Thanks to Carol Westwood for the above article.

New killer Aquilegia disease sweeps the UK

Gardeners are being asked to be vigilant to help stop the spread and identify areas affected by Aquilegia downy mildew.

Carrie Thomas, who held the only two National Plant Collections of Aquilegias warns that downy mildew threatens to kill all the Aquilegias (Columbines) including native Aquilegia vulgaris.

Her collection has been decimated with only 10% or less now left which means there are no longer any National Collections of Aquilegia in the UK.

People growing, selling or buying Aquilegias need to be very vigilant. It seems quite widespread in the south of the UK but has been found as far north as Lancashire.

The sale of diseased nursery stock is a huge issue and could be the prime way this is distributed around the country.

There are initial subtle symptoms which are slightly yellowy, angular patches on some leaves. Later the symptoms become obvious, as the whole plant is affected.

The RHS have also stated that they do not know if the disease can spread via the seed.

If you find downy mildew on your aquilegias, please contact giving her your village/town and county as she can then add it to the online directory of where it is found. She will also usually be able to confirm if it is downy mildew if you are unsure, just email her some photos.

Meanwhile, your help will be key. Early identification and destroying plants may be the only way of halting/slowing spread until scientists can help us more. At this stage, pull out and dispose of infected plants (NOT on the compost) These affected plants are going to die, so you are not loosing anything, only gaining by removing sources of infection early.

Take care of the mozzies Thanks to Kate Harrington who passed on the details of some gardener's insect repelling cream she bought at the Malvern Show.

It is the 'Famous Gardener's Insect Repelling Gel' 200ml £11.60 It is said that this pleasant smelling gel is easy to apply and wash off and contains Neem Oil a natural insect repellent tested on the midges in Scotland!

from the Elegance Natural Skin Care Range 01948 666656

https://www.natural-skin-care.com/index.php?cPath=30

The Horti Trip Season ....

Saturday 6th June Hunters End, Kinlet by car. Meet at the Edgecliff car park turning circle at 1.45pm. This 3/4-acre garden with plants and decorative features will 'create a smile and a laugh from beginning to end of your tour'. Soak up the atmosphere and tranquillity of the garden. Relax in one of the many seating areas and enjoy your tea and cake. £6 on the day. So they can make enough cake for us please call Rosemary on 872641 to put your name down.

Thursday 18th June to Painswick Rococo and Trench Hill Gardens.

Thursday 18th June to Painswick Rococo and Trench Hill Gardens.

There may still be a small number of places left on this trip. Do not

miss this. Two fantastic and contrasting gardens in one trip.

£24 includes coach and entrances.

Please note: This trip is payable now.

For availability call Rosemary on 01384 872641

Moor's Meadow Gardens Ingrid is organising a car trip to this garden on Saturday 11th July. This 7 acre organic hillside garden near Bromyard was voted by BBC Gardener's World the 'Most Romantic' in Central England and is said to be full of appeal to the true plantsman offering superb views over the Kyre Valley. There are brimming herbaceous borders, a grass garden, a rhododendron glade, a fernery, a cottage-style garden, a herb garden, and a highly productive kitchen garden. Admission £6. Call Ingrid on 01384 872622 to put your name down. For art lovers their resident artist/blacksmith, Joshua De Lisle has some wonderful sculptures available www.joshuadelisle.com

Booking now for Sunday 23rd August Arley Hall and Gardens.

£25 includes admission to the hall and a private guided tour with the Head Gardener.

Organised by Carole Lacy call Carole on 01384 873321 / email to reserve a place.

Out & About

Don't miss our very own Kinver Open Gardens on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June 2015 from1pm to 6pm. Eight varied and inspiring gardens will be open this year, one for the first time. Profits from this event will support the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline. There are plant sales and places for refreshment along the way.

Event passports cost £3, children £1 and are available at the bus shelter in the centre of the High Street or from any of the participating gardens. Look out for posters.

Severn Valley Country Park nr Alverley is well worth a visit with a fantastic play area for children, riverside walks and a cafe for lunch. They also run regular events. For instance on Friday 19th June there is a Hotbuckle Theatre Company Production of 'Jane Austen’s Persuasion'. Audiences are invited to bring along low-backed seating or rugs, and a picnic to maximise their enjoyment of this al fresco performance. The teashop will also be open for refreshments. Ticket prices Adult £12 Concession £10 Child £6 (ages 5-16). Suitable for all.

On Monday 7th July from 10am-1pm they are running an Orchid Workshop with Phil Seaton, Author of 'Growing Orchids from Seed'. The cost is £15 and with that you can take away a petri dish with your own orchid seedlings. For more info on either of these events or to book call 01746 781 192

Stourbridge Car Boot Sale is back on Wednesday mornings at the Rugby club on Bridgnorth Road. I have it on good authority that there are usually lots of plants for sale at reasonable cost. You might also be lucky enough to find unusual containers for your outdoor plant displays as demonstrated by Linda Hickman at our April meeting.

Contributions to the newsletter are very welcome. Please let Carole have your copy by the end of each month. Email 01384 873321