HPS Somerset Group’s Early Spring Plant Fair at East Lambrook Manor last Saturday proved to be a resounding success, with the fine weather bringing crowds of eager gardeners. When Bill and I arrived at 9.50am there was already a long queue outside the gate, and visitors continued to arrive well into the afternoon. There was a cheerful atmosphere amongst the stalls and business was brisk, with a huge range of jewel-like spring flowers on offer, as well as more exotic specimens. People chatted as they queued to pay, exchanging advice and encouragement. By the end of the day most of the stalls were much depleted, despite nurserymen replenishing their tables as plants were sold.
The Manor gardens were looking very pretty in the sunshine: The Ditch was scattered with dainty blue Scilla bithynica and massed hellebores were still showing colour throughout the borders. East Lambrook’s nursery was a treasure trove of hardy perennials, with a wide variety of cottage garden plants at very reasonable prices.
All in all, it was a lovely way to spend a bright, warm day in spring. Our thanks go to Mike and Gail Werkmeister of East Lambrook Manor for hosting the fair, and everyone else who helped to make the event such a triumph; in particular Roy, Stuart and Jane, without whom it would never have come to fruition.
Marion Jay
The Hardy Plant Society Somerset Group 