Our 2017 Season
Events – download copy here
Outings – regularly updated below
2018 Season – advance notice here
12 January – ‘No Space, No Problem’ by Phil Aubury, growing fruit, veg and plants in containers. Local man who has worked in horticulture all his life an ex-Director of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
9 February – ‘Chinese Wilson – Birmingham’s Plant Hunter’ by Simon Gulliver. Based on the adventures of a plant hunter at the turn of the 2oth century. Simon is from Birmingham and trained at Pershore College; has worked at Wisley and Birmingham Botanical Gardens and is currently a gardens advisor with the National Trust.
9 March – ‘Morton Hall Gardens’ by Harry Green, head gardener at Morton Hall Gardens. He will talk about the Gardens and give some tips and practical demonstrations on the planting combinations and techniques used there for staking and supporting plant.
13 April – ‘Salvias and Ornamental Grasses’ by Gordon Malt. He trained as a tree surgeon at Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh and has worked in horticulture for over 40 years. He now runs a small nursery in Shropshire.
11 May – ‘Colour Magic’ by Mandie Potter with plants from Bob Brown’s Nursery. You may remember she brings plants with her and then talks about their particular virtues.
2 Sept The Annual Fruit and Produce Show
14 Sept – ‘Cyclamen in the Wild and in Cultivation’ by Vic Aspland Chairman of the Cyclamen Society. Vic has travelled extensively looking for plants and is an excellent speaker and photographer. Last winter he was one of the speakers chosen by John Massey at Ashwood Nursey to talk about cyclamen.
12 Oct – ‘The Joys of Running a Garden Centre’ by Nicci Gow from Fresh at Burcot Garden Centre.
9 Nov AGM followed by cheese and wine.
14 Dec – Winter in Bloom with Samantha and Nigel Hopes. Both are young plant enthusiasts who have worked at Ashwood Nursery, Wisley and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens prior to setting up their own nursery in Halesowen. Plus, ‘Hello Christmas‘ with mulled wine and mince pies? Cancelled due to inclement weather – rescheduled for next December – see news page for your Christmas message.
Outings :
1 March – Morning tour round Bordon Hill Nurseries near Bidford on Avon
11 March – Annual Supper at Barnt Green Cricket Club
8 June – 7pm evening visit to Rob Cole at Meadow Farm, Feckenham
28 June – Coach trip to Hampton Court Gardens, Herefordshire
– contact Pat Davies davies55@btinternet.com 01527 67226
13 July – 2pm visit to David’s Garden, David’s Nursery, Martin Hussingtree
20 July – 7pm Open Gardens, Hither Green Lane, Abbey Park, Redditch. Six gardens to view with refreshments available.
Organiser suggests No.1 first then drive near to Abbey Hotel walking to No.194, 192, 177, 110, 106 finishing at 119. Helpful balloons at each venue! Tea, coffee and cake at No88 – near 119.
Donations welcomed for chosen charities. Own transport.
10 August – 2pm visit & guided tour, Whitlenge Gardens Hartlebury DY10 4HD
Cost £3 including guided tour with refreshments available (not included). Own transport.
13 Sept – Coach trip to Cotswold Wildlife Park and Garden near Burford.
There are a few places still available on the 53 seater coach. Leaving at 9am sharp and entry is £20.
– Contact Rachel Banner rachel.banner@tiscali.co.uk 0121 445 4479