News

We are delighted to advise that new dates have been announced for the postponed trip to Eastern Sicily – Wednesday 11 May to Wednesday 18 May 2022. Click here for further details.

Members visited the Oxford Botanic Garden and the gardens of Merton College, Oxford on 18 August. The weather was perfect and members appreciated the tours by Mark Brent, curator, and Chris Thorogood, head of science, both of the Oxford Botanic, then a delicious picnic lunch and exploration of Merton guided by head gardener, Lucille Savin.

We are pleased to advise that MPG member Kathryn Bradley Hole has a released a new book ‘The Naturally Beautiful Garden’. It showcases the beauty and visual impact produced by ecologically friendly garden design principles which chimes well with the recent AGM lecture by Alastair Little on the natural environment. Kathryn aims to showcase gardens and spaces that have embraced nature in an ecologically sensitive way. The book features illustrated essays on a wide range of spaces, from public green spaces through to cottage gardens over a wide range of climates and soils. We wish Kathryn success with her very topical and timely publication.

When I became NC holder of Aeoniums doors opened up under the Plant Heritage flag and in 2021 I was able to show off my precious plants Hampton Court. It meant I could show the public the species from each a Canary Island and highlight how threatened they are by climate change, tourism and loss of habitat. This was the first ever RHS exhibit of just Aeonium species.
When I arrived on the Tuesday morning to find a silver gilt medal I was pretty chuffed and I felt proud for my plants.

The Friends of Ascott Allotments in Ealing, West London, won the top award at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival this year in a larger-than-ever allotment-focussed area. Their exhibit had a Mediterranean flavour with an olive oil can of violas. There were talks and demonstrations from groups and individuals throughout the week. The Ascott project was designed by a small group of women gardeners to represent all aspects of allotments and was supported by MPG member Stephen Cole who grew many of the plants and we thank him for this picture.

Troy Scott Smith, who has been leading the horticultural renewal of the Mediterranean-style Harold Peto gardens at Iford Manor garden since July 2019 is to leave and return to Sissinghurst Castle gardens at the end of August. Troy trained at Sissinghurst at the start of his career and was head gardener there from 2013 for six years. Both Iford Manor and Sissinghurst are notable for their Mediterranean elements. The picture shows part of the manor house. Harold Peto (1854 – 1933) created some of the finest gardens in England. He lived at Iford Manor in his later years and was an architect and garden designer favouring the Italian style.