Janet Murley wanted to remind everyone there are seats available for the next coach trip. You can make contact by replying to this email, or direct if you have her details.

Tuesday 4th July  

Coach Trip to Longstock Park Water Gardens, Hampshire

Part of the Leckford Estate, purchased by the retailer John Lewis in 1929, the Longstock Park Water Gardens covers around seven acres. Over the years it has become one of the finest water gardens in Britain, home to 40 varieties of waterlily, over 100 different species of trees and a wealth of native wildlife.  Visit Longstock Park Nursery, with its large collection of unusual wall plants, magnificent herbaceous border and 100-yard arch entwined with roses and clematis.

Lunches available at the Leckford Farm Shop Cafe, or bring a picnic.
Plants for sale.
http://www.leckfordestate.co.uk

I’ve just finished planting out my Dahlias, and guess what?  Yep! All the cuttings rooted and I’ve got a LOT too many so I could do with some help to find homes for some good robust plants.  All are named varieties, mainly decorative types (National Dahlia Society classifications) and some cactus types plus a couple in the miscellaneous category.   All in all there are about 60 or 70 plants available  so don’t be shy about taking as many as you would like – think more positively that you’ll be rescuing them from the compost heap!

If you are even mildly interested please contact me by the usual means:  reply to this email or telephone 01934 843280.  A charitable donation would be appreciated – either for Livability or Secret World Wild Life Rescue.

I look forward to a flood of enquiries!

Missing from the announcement was also:

• Tuesday 18 July, 2.00pm to 6.00pm – Braglands Barn (Simon and Sue Youell)

I was too slow to get this in, Bill.

As many of you may know, members were invited to open their gardens to the public this year in celebration of the Society’s 60th anniversary. Booklets describing the gardens were available at our spring lecture meetings and plant fairs. Here in Somerset there are six members’ gardens open this summer – the first coming up at the end of this month. We would urge you to visit as many as you can to show your support. Proceeds from the garden openings may go to the HPS entirely or may be shared with the garden owners’ chosen charity.

The Somerset gardens opening for the HPS are as follows:

• Wednesday 24th May, 11.00am to 5.00pm – Elworthy Cottage (Mike and Jenny Spiller)
• Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th June, 2.00pm to 5.30pm – Hooper’s Holding (Ken and Lyn Spencer-Mills)
• Thursday 22nd June, 11.00am to 5.00pm – Vellacott (Kevin and Pat Chittenden)
• Sunday 25th June, 11.00am to 5.30pm – Lower Severalls Farmhouse (Mary Pring and Catherine Bond)
• Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th July, 10.00am to 4.00pm – The George House (Dr Robin Goodfellow)
• Tuesday 18 July, 2.00pm to 6.00pm – Braglands Barn (Simon and Sue Youell)

Full details about these gardens and their location, and others open outside of Somerset, may be found on the main HPS website. We wish them fine weather and crowds of visitors on their chosen day or days!

Jane Hunt

Many, many thanks to everyone who has responded to our requests for help manning the plant stall, the entrance gate or providing refreshments as required at one of the public events so far this year – East Lambrook Manor Plant Fair, our own Group Plant Sale and, most recently, Milverton Street Fair. The Committee couldn’t hope to do it all without help from the rest of the membership  so we are most grateful to everyone who has volunteered. We really feel that the HPS Somerset Group name is becoming very well known and respected as a result.

BUT, we are not done yet!! Coming up we have our stall at the Bishop’s Palace Garden Festival in Wells from 9 to 11 June and the Toby Buckland Garden Festival at Forde Abbey in September. We will be seeking help with the September event later in the year but we still have some spaces to fill on our volunteers rota for June. Most spaces are during the afternoon so if you could spare us a couple of hours of your time on one of those three days please get in touch with Jane as soon as possible, stating which day you would prefer. Volunteering has the benefit of free entry to the event for the day for two members per slot so the remaining places are certain to be taken up quickly.

Jane Hunt

Via Janet Murrow:

A Plant Fair on Sunday the 16th run by the Plant Heritage Charity

Our annual spring plant fair in aid of Plant Heritage. Up to 12 selected nurseries from throughout the South West of England bringing their best plants for spring to sell! £1 entrance to plant fair which is taken off your entrance to the garden if you do go around the garden.

• The event page is here
• Directions to Burrow Farm Gardens are here

Come along to our ANNUAL PLANT SALE at West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, TA2 8NE on Saturday 22 April 2017 from 10.00am to 12.30am

A Large Selection of Quality Locally Grown Hardy Plants, including some Unusual Varieties at Reasonable Prices, plus Specialist Nursery Stalls.

 All Welcome * Free Parking on Site * Entry £1 * Refreshments on Sale

(From Jane Hunt)