Zoom Talk: “A Year in John’s Garden” by Nigel Hopes, Head Gardener, Ashwood Nurseries

On By Bill Hodgson

Scottish and Northern Borders Group of the Hardy Plant Society

Zoom Talk – Tuesday 17 Jan 2023, 7pm for 7.30pm

“A Year in John’s Garden” by Nigel Hopes, Head Gardener, Ashwood Nurseries

In this talk, Nigel Hopes provides a Head Gardener’s behind the scenes tour of John Massey’s Private Garden at Ashwood Nurseries, with highlights through the year and plenty of practical advice. Nigel did his work experience at Ashwood Nurseries, and then went on to study horticulture, becoming a student at Birmingham Botanical Gardens and built up a huge knowledge in his time there, enriching his work with placements at RHS Garden Wisley and a plant hunting trip to South Africa.

“John’s Garden” at Ashwood Nurseries is a wonderful three acre private garden created by nursery owner and Chelsea Gold medallist John Massey VMH. Informal borders, island beds, woodland dells and a wildlife garden are set against the beautiful backdrop of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

Regarded as one of the finest private gardens in the UK, there are magnificent collections of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and conifers adding to the interest all year round with an abundance of rare plants as well as familiar favourites.

John’s garden has now become his sanctuary, as well as a trial ground for his many plant passions. He firmly believes that a garden should be “somewhere you want to go every day of the year,” and he doesn’t subscribe to the idea of putting the garden to bed for winter.

The cost of the lecture is £5. Payment should be made by Bank Transfer if possible

1. Bank details are

  • Bank of Scotland HPS Scotland
  • Sort code 80-22-60
  • Account number: 17144166
  • Reference: Zoom Nigel 23

2. Email Marjorie Anderson  marjorie17anderson@gmail.com with your name, email, and telephone number when you have made the payment.

You will receive an email from her with login details a few days before the lecture. Please check your spam folder if you have not received it

If you need to pay by cheque email Marjorie Anderson for details

The deadline for payment is 12th January