On Tuesday 18th of July Sue & Simon Youell will be opening their garden to celebrate the HPS Jubilee. The garden will be open from 2pm to 6pm, full details are on the national website.

The garden is about one acre and is adjacent to a field that we’ve planted with a mixture of ornamental and native trees. Part of the site is on red sand and part on clay, allowing us to grow a wide variety of plants, as long as we put the right plant in the right place. The garden contains a wide range of herbaceous plants, shrubs and grasses and is designed to provide colour and interest over a long period.

For more information click here.

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

Saturday 22nd April – Group Plant Sale 

A large selection of good quality, locally-grown hardy plants – including some unusual varieties – at reasonable prices, plus specialist nursery stalls.

10am – 12.30pm        West Monkton Village Hall        Admission:  £1

Free parking       Refreshments on Sale

A diverse range of hardy perennials will be on offer at our annual Plant Sale, as well as shrubs, annuals and vegetable plants.  Come early to grab a bargain.  Everyone is welcome, so bring your friends and relations!

Any plants you may be able to donate to the Group table would be gratefully received; just bring them along on the day.  Please note this is not a 50:50 sale.

Cakes Wanted