News
MPG member receives award for her book ‘Aroids – Plants of the Arum Family’
Congratulations to longstanding MPG member Deni Bown, who had some very good news last week – the 3rd edition of her very first book, Aroids – Plants of the Arum Family, has won an award!
The 2026 CBHL Annual Literature Award, the organisation’s highest honour, has been awarded to Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family, Third Edition by Deni Bown, published by Kew Publishing. Representing the culmination of the author’s career-long dedication, this authoritative volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the diversity, taxonomy, and cultivation of the aroid family. Blending rigorous scientific insight with accessible guidance, the work serves as an essential resource for both researchers and plant enthusiasts.
Celebration of Delos garden
Representatives of MPG were invited to the celebration of Sissinghurst Castle’s Delos garden on Thursday 4 June. There were talks and opportunities to ask questions with noted landscape designer Dan Pearson, craftsman designer Nigel Frogatt and Sissinghurst’s remarkable gardener Richard Gravett. Our representatives were (L to R) Jackie Hunt, Lesley Jones and Alice Riches, all professional gardeners.
Retrospective exhibition – Adrian Bartlett
An exhibition opens this week focusing on the work of Adrian Bartlett, painter and printmaker (1939-2024). Adrian and his wife Amanda were members of MPG from 2014 and attended several MPG events in London. The image here is a 2019 acrylic on paper called “Four olives”. The exhibition is open 11-28 February at the Morley Gallery , 61 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HT, Mon – Fri 12-5pm and Saturdays 1-5pm.
New Members’ Posts facility on MPG website
Following investigations into a Q&A facility for MPG members, it is now possible for members to communicate about Mediterranean plants and gardens via the MPG website. This new MEMBERS’ POSTS facility is only available to members and is accessed by logging into the Members’ Area. Here, there is an option to create a NEWS post which is publicly visible on this News page of the website. The second option is a post that can be read and responded to by MEMBERS ONLY, for example to ask questions about plants and gardens. The photograph in this NEWS post is of the Quiver Tree Forest at Gannabos, Namaqualand, South Africa, visited during the MPG tour in August 2025.
GQT at the Eden Project
Today’s Gardeners’ Question Time on BBC Radio 4 was recorded at the Eden Project. MPG member Catherine Cutler, Eden’s head of horticulture, spoke about the initial planting, started 25 years ago, notably of the rainforest area which has developed dramatically from a desolate moonscape. Some plants which were initially tiny have had to be removed as they become huge trees. Catherine has been particularly involved in the Mediterranean biome, where she is pictured here. She has been a member of MPG for ten years. Five of the Eden Project staff are members of MPG.
Bursary Committee
Lorraine Dodd has taken on the chairmanship of the Bursary Committee, succeeding Kevin Begley who chaired the committee for two years. Kevin is remaining on the committee as an adviser. Also on the committee are John Addison, John Fielding, Jenny Hunt, Lesley Jones and David Mason. Lorraine lives in rural north-east Wales and the picture shows her with her wire-haired dachshund which she and her husband have recently adopted from a rescue centre.