Propagation - Myths and mysteries of the dark art of propagation. Success with seed collection, sowing, germination and growing on. Recognising cuttings material and how to deal with them. Assessing which herbaceous material is suitable for division. Marina will be bringing propagation sundries and an eclectic range of hand tools for sale, together with some plants.
Forget about air miles when bringing fresh flowers into the house.Eileen and Tim Tordoff introduce us to the rewards of growing our own flowers to pick and enjoy at home. Which are easy, which need careful nurturing, tips and advice and stories of some of the adventures they’ve had in starting up a cutting nursery in the middle of Suffolk. We hope to arrange a visit to their nursery in the summer.
Who can resist the heady scent and glorious colours of sweet peas? Chris Wiley is obsessed with them, and in 2022 won the Best New Plant Award at Chelsea, which to his amazement was presented to Queen Elizabeth 11. Chris takes us on his journey developing his variety, explains how to grow and nurture sweet peas, and recounts their history. Chris founded the Sustainable Plant Store to sell eco-friendly alternatives to popular plants, and will bring some to sell.
Green Island Gardens is a 20 acre garden in Ardleigh, near Colchester. It features many unusual plants for year round interest, due to its unique micro climate they can grow many borderline hardy plants. The garden has been professionally designed by Fiona Redmond, who has a passion for trees and shrubs, scented plants and rarely seen specimens. The autumn colour is spectacular. We are not organising a guided tour so members can wander at their own speed and gently enjoy! There is a cafe for tea and cakes and a plant stall.
Directions can be found on the website at www.greenislandgardens.co.uk but from Colchester you may find this helpful : take the A137 towards Manningtree (called Harwich Road), at the first mini roundabout ignore signs for Ardleigh and turn right onto Bromley Road. follow this road out of Colchester for a couple of miles. You will go over the A120, pass a turning on the lleft called Slough Lane. Park Road is the next turning on the left, and Green Island Garden is the first on the right. Post Code is C07 7SP , where you will find the car park.
Timothy Walker is the hugely entertaining and sometimes controversial former Director of Oxford Botanic Garden, who brings a new angle to every subject. For many people pollination begins and ends with bees, but it is in fact carried out by all kinds of creatures, from bats (for night flowering species) to snails (for plants with time on their hands). Timothy looks at the huge variety of pollinators, and explains why knowing about them is so important for gardeners.
We are revisiting our Winter Walk at the beautiful Anglesey Abbey (CB25 9EJ) slightly later than in previous years, in the hope that more snowdrops, hellebores, and winter shrubs will be at their peak. We will assemble in the foyer at 11am. The gardens are free for National Trust and RHS Members, so do remember to bring your membership cards with you. Non members will pay individually at the desk £18.00 pp. Historically this has been a fairly unstructured visit, with members meeting up to enjoy coffee or lunch afterwards, so there is no need to book, and this notice is for your information only. We will look forward to meeting you on the day!
Dr. Ian Bedford, entomologist, of the John Innes Centre and resident bug expert on BBC Radios Suffolk and Norfolk. Many plants such as garlic and French marigolds attract or repel bugs. Ian reveals how to use them in our gardens to create a natural balanced eco-system for attracting nature and keeping pests under control. There will be environmentally friendly garden products for sale.
Irelands Meadow is tucked away down a small lane and has the most beautiful natural garden and woodland with lakes. It is the home of Stan Ireland and Jennie Jordan, and Stan has spent years making the landscape that surrounds their home. The woodland is a carpet of many, many thousands of snowdrops, which flourish in every conceivable place, stretching down to the lakes, beneath the willows, and wandering on to the lane and the field beyond. Paths will lead us over the stream, round the lake, and on a small island within the lake Stan has planted an early variety of daffodil, which was flowering at the same time as the snowdrops, when we visited in 2025. Coffee and cake will be provided.
Irelands Meadow is situated off the B1115 just on the approach to Little Waldingfield. Look out for the SRL sign at the side of the road, and turn off the road towards the laboratory, it is a fairly narrow lane. Just over a small bridge you will see a turning and gateway on your right, turn in and park by the barn.
PRICE IS £8 including donation to West Suffolk Hospital Macmillan’s Nurses
Juliet Sargeant, RHS gold medallist and Gardeners’ Question Time panellist, challenges you to take your soil seriously. She introduces no-dig gardening, Hugelkultur and rain gardens, and growing mediums such as hydroponics and sand gardens. Her book 'Start with Soil' will be for sale.
FREE FOR MEMBERS
NON-MEMBERS - £6 payable on the door