The first meeting of the new Garden Club programme was held on Tuesday, September 13th, preceded by the Annual general Meeting. Chairman, Mrs. Margaret West, summed up the previous club year, noting the increased membership, April's successful plant sale, the club holiday to Kent and finally the happy celebration of the Club's 21 years with a lunch for members in the Village Hall on Sunday, September 11th.
The talk given after the A.G.M. was given by Brian Ellis whose nursery and garden the Club has visited. Brian had been to art college to do painting. His wife had studied printed textiles. This is what has influenced his approach to the garden where his interest is in colour, tone, texture and line.
He holds national collections of Sanguisorba, Anemone nemerosa and Aster novi-belgii. Along the various paths in his garden he does repeat planting to carry the eye along and give a unity. His main concern is with foliage which is there long after the flowers have gone and which forms and shapes and colours the garden. He spoke of many plants with variegated or marbled foliage such as different types of Arums and Pulmonarias. The Alstromeria Royal Star has good red flowers but dramatic leaves which will last. The importance of the positioning of the different shapes and colours of green was illustrated with beautiful slides of lovely plants.
Brian had plants for sale too. These were much appreciated by a captivated audience.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 11 October when the Club will welcome author and columnist, Matthew Biggs, of Gardeners' Question Time. As usual this will be at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Tickets £5.00. Contact 01283 562161
