Meetings 2013-14
11 October - Tim Rasell 'A collection of Interesting Evergreens'
Owner of the long established Rasell’s nursery at Little Bytham near Grantham, Tim is a locally renowned plantsman and garden designer with a vast depth of knowledge. He has worked on planting schemes and supplied plants for gardens at Rockingham Castle, Hambleton Hall and Holywell Hall. He is a charismatic and entertaining speaker and has captivated us at HPS Notts previously when he did an interactive session using live plant material. Many thought this was one of our finest sessions. www.rasells.co.uk
8 November - Dr. Andrew Ward 'Fabulous Foliage - A Foil for Flowers'
Andrew is owner of Norwell Nurseries, near Newark, and lectures widely throughout the country. He is a particular friend of the HPS and recently lectured at the AGM. Many of us will have enjoyed visits to his spectacular garden and nursery (now a starred entry in the ‘Good Garden Guide) can testify to his skills as both plantsman and speaker. We very much look forward to welcoming him back to our group with his new lecture and – we hope – with his wonderful plants for sale. www.norwellnurseries.co.uk
13 December - Christmas Party - 'Useful Origami for Gardeners'
Erica Thomson will lead a fun hands on session showing you how to make useful items in Origami with a gardening theme. You can join in making plant pots, seed packets, trays and maybe a flower or a butterfly or two! www.britishorigami.info
Plus there will be the usual good food and a chance to meet and chat to other members.
10 January - Pam Tatam 'Live fast, die young'
Many of us know Pam from her wonderful garden and former nursery at Harpswell, Lincolnshire. The old nursery site is now transformed into a stunning extension of the garden (a starred entry into the Good Gardens Guide). Pam is a knowledgeable and passionate plantswoman and an extremely entertaining speaker.www.hall-farm.co.uk
14 February - AGM followed by Vicky Fox 'Heuchera, Heucherella and Tiarella - How to get the best from them'
Vicky and her husband Richard from Plantagogo are specialist growers of heuchera, heucherella and tiarella and hold three national collections at their nursery in Cheshire. You may have seen Vicky on T.V. where she is often interviewed as an exhibitor at RHS shows and is a multiple gold medal winner at these events. The nursery has a series of popular Open Days during the year and the couple are also sought-after speakers nationally. www.plantagogo.com
14 March - Tom Hart-Dyke Talk 'From Captivity to a Castle'
Tom is a horticulturalist and plant hunter and creator of the famous World Garden of Plants at his family seat, Lullingstone Castle in Kent. The garden contains approximately 8,000 species plants, many collected by Hart-Dyke from their native environments. In 2000 Tom was kidnapped by guerrillas in the Darian Gap between Panama and Columbia whilst hunting for rare orchids. During his 9 month captivity he survived by creating a design for a garden laid out as a world map: mercifully, following his release, he was able to realise this plan. Tom has written extensively and has appeared on T.V. (where his kidnapping ordeal was dramatized). We await his visit with excitement.
11 April - Jim Almond 'Something for everyone!'
Jim is a regular lecturer on plant matter at venues nationwide and writes the popular ‘Alpines for the enthusiast’ blog featuring his stunning photography.
He is an inspirational lecturer and provides knowledge and entertainment for both the novice and experienced grower. He is a Plant Heritage National collection holder (jointly with Kew) of Iris subgenus Scorpiris – the Junos. He is equally interesting talking on his favourite hardy plants and climbers as on rare and difficult alpine specimens.
9 May 2014 - An evening get together at Our Botanic Garden, Wollaton Park
We are the only HPS Group that has a Botanic Garden and we are rightly very proud of that. Some of our members know about it but have not yet visited it or have not been able to visit for a while. So we hope for good weather to have a glass of wine and nibbles and wander around looking at the garden.
The garden is hidden away behind the Coaching Courtyard on the Hall side of the buildings. The main gates into the garden are tucked into the corner adjoining the Coaching/Stable block on the Hall side. An even more hidden doorway can be entered underneath the “veranda” in the outer courtyard.
