National AGM May 9th to May 11th 2014
at the Maid's Head Hotel, next door to the Anglican Cathedral in the historic heart of Norwich, one of the best preserved medieval cities in England.
STOP PRESS - - - Taxonomy Day fully booked
Woollen scarf left at Spring Gala - contact Kathy
Spring Plant Fair
Sunday May 5th 10 - 1
Hethersett Village Hall
£1 admission (free to members)
20 Specialist nurseries with choice plants, gardening advice from celebrity plant doctor, plant diplays with lilies galore, showcasing famous gardeners and gardens, floral competition, gardening books at knock-down prices, home-made refreshments, free parking.
National Collection of Hyacinths Open Days :
because the adverse weather has delayed most of the bulbs coming into bloom, there will be additional Open Days on Saturday 13th April and Sunday 14th April 11am -5pm. Directions etc in the recent issue of Borderline page27. If you only know a few varieties of hyacinth, go along on the later dates to see more than 180, including heritage cultivars from the 19th century.
Hyde Hall Spring Plant Fair.
Saturday and Sunday April 20th and 21st from 10 - 4 pm. Organized by Essex Plant Heritage and featuring Mark Haslett's collection of Louisiana Iris, this event provides the perfect opportunity to buy rare and unusual plants brought to you by some of the region's specialist nurseries. Normal garden admission applies.
Fox Fritillary Meadow latest update
This ancient meadow is one of the most important of its kind in the UK for naturally occuring snakes head fritillaries (up to 300,000 heads) and is only available to be viewed by the public at this free annual event run by Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Now open Sunday 28th April from 2 - 5 (last entry 4.30) please book in case of cancellation on 01473 890089.
The Framsden site will be signposted from the A1120
Please note, there are no toilets on site and it is not suitable for wheelchairs as the ground is uneven and slopes steeply heading down to the reserve.
Did you receive your copy of Borderline recently?
One of our members has not received their March issue of Borderline (with a grape hyacinth photo on the front cover) which has letters and booking slips for coming events. Royal Mail returned the contents of the envelope to us. If it was yours, please contack Nick Broughton on 01603 627519 for replacements.
Did you miss...
The Spring Gala
Well, if you missed this super day, you missed a treat. Wonderful plants to buy, not only from our Collection Holder Richard Hobbs with some of his NC of Muscari, but also from Rob Potterton as well as our own extremely well-stocked Norfolk Plant Heritage plant stall. Then two fantastic speakers Rod Leeds and John Massey sharing their wealth of knowledge and some spectacular photographs from their own gardens and much farther afield. A marvellous day all round, many thanks to our hardworking committee for ensuring that we were well entertained, fed and watered. Can we have one next year please?
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Spring Gardens visit
Well, we got there in the end. Although the first date had to be abandoned because of snow we managed an almost (!) snow free visit to the new Winter Garden and Foggy Bottom at Bressingham. The colour provided by spring flowering shrubs such as Cornus and hamemalis, heathers, crocus and snowdrops as well as the grasses and foliage plants, including many small pines was a revelation. Quite different in feeling to both Hilliers and Anglesey Abbey, this winter garden was much more open, and as a result the colours were more vibrant. Walking through 'Adrian's wood' to Foggy Bottom, we were treated to a guided tour of his own garden and heard of Adrian's plans for the future. Following an excellent lunch in the restaurant we made our way to Janet Sleep's garden at The Harrolds in Gissing. Here I was staggered to find how much ahead the plants were to those in our cold garden, Janet even had a Pasque flower out for Easter! Here were some beautiful primroses - many original Barnhaven strains, but also two found in the garden, and some lovely hellebores. Although the weather was against us this year it was good to get out and see other gardens at this time of the year.
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Sue Wooster, National Collection holder, gave us a fascinating talk on how she became hooked on campanulas, covering their cultivation and producing a Gold Medal Display at Hampton Court. Wonderful plants for sale too.
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Our trip to Kent
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Norfolk Plant Heritage Today
Jan Paulger, now our President, was the founder member in 1989. Norfolk Plant Heritage is a lively, friendly and welcoming group with more than 140 members. The aims of Plant Heritage are reflected in our Group's interest in a wide range of garden plants, their cultivation and conservation.
In the County we currently support seven National Collections, species roses, lavenders, species crocus, gunnera, miscanthus sinensis, molinia and muscari. Click on Group Collections to learn more. The former Elaeagnus Collection is being re-estabished in a dedicated site at Blickling Hall where, in time we expect it to become a full collection again. One of our members is cossetting James Lye fuchsias in the hope of realising a collection in the future.
We arrange a varied and interesting programme of talks, workshops, garden and nursery visits and social events, as well as two excellent Plant Fairs each year which are attended by local and national nurseries. We have one of the biggest programmes of events of any Group: 2012 sees a fantastic 18 events so far. Do come along!
The Group Events pages give details of the programme for the rest of 2013. Details of the group trip to Kent in September 2012 can be downloaded. Always check the in the Group Events for last minute changes.
Non-members are welcome to join us at any of our events for a small additional charge. Members are welcome to bring a friend free to any of our events as a way of introducing them to our friendly group - see Group News for more information.
Twice a year, members of Norfolk Plant Heritage receive our local journal, Borderline, and Plant Heritage, the national magazine.
Norfolk Plant Heritage webpages last updated 31st March 2013
Photo: The Winter Garden at Bressingham courtesy of David King