Maria Allen writes: “On the evening of 12th June, Jennifer our chairman welcomed Timothy Walker to the club to give us a talk entitled ‘A Blaze of Glory – colour in the garden from early Autumn through to the beginning of Winter’. I cannot think of a better way to spend my birthday! Timothy used to be Director of the Oxford Botanical Gardens, but is now a tutor and lecturer at Somerville College in Biological Sciences.
“Tim treated us to a wonderfully informative and amusing talk. First he took us on a whistle stop tour around most of the world and introduced us to many beautiful shrubs, some we knew, all displaying glorious autumn colours. All through the talk he entertained us with amusing anecdotes about his family or people he had met throughout his long gardening career. We finished our tour in the British Isles, more particularly in the Oxford Botanical Gardens, with his splendid photographs illustrating how the Gardens had changed over the years. He gave us some very good advice – I identified a climber “Mina Lobata” that had died in my own garden; but thanks to Timothy, I now know the plant’s name and I can replace it!
“Some of the plants suited to this time of year, are the snowflake ‘Acis’, as well as the many varieties of snowdrops; numerous varieties of asters (that some of us still call Michaelmas daisies), especially those that don’t suffer from mildew and leaf-drop; a great range of chrysanthemums, dahlias, and roses which flower more than once but which will need to be dead-headed. Actually, many of these plants have flowered or are flowering already! Anyway, most of us just wanted to go home and redesign our gardens, particularly looking forward to shopping for all of Timothy’s suggestions and inspiring ideas. I wrote to thank Timothy for coming to talk to us and he replied saying he had thoroughly enjoyed his visit to the club. Why not let us know what you think?” Maria Allen
Timothy’s slides were terrific and his talk was given without the aid of any notes. The time flew by and I was quite surprised when the talk ended. Most members present, and we had a very good turnout this time, have commented on how much they enjoyed the evening, although one or two of you didn’t appreciate the humorous asides – they were a bit numerous!
Timothy introduced us to the Wimbledon Chop (or Cut?), which I must say I have never heard of before, but which seems comparable to the Chelsea Chop only it takes place (yes, you’ve got it) around the beginning of Wimbledon. I am not quite sure what happens now that Wimbledon begins a week later to give tennis players more time to rest after the French Open; does one get a week longer to do the Chop? I forgot to ask! But a good idea if this heat continues, but by then we will probably be having floods?
Timothy has many other talks on differing subjects, and I have already been approached by members who would like us to invite him again sometime in the future.
Forthcoming Events – Guests most welcome
Saturday, 8th July: The village Fête and our club’s plant stall. Although I realise that many of you are involved with other stalls, we do need helpers to prepare the stall, man the stall and clear up afterwards. We also still need plants to sell. Only a few days to go now!
Unfortunately we have not been able to arrange a speaker for July; perhaps the plant stall is enough for ordinary mortals!
August is a month off for the Gardening Club committee and its members. But maybe…?
Sunday, 3rd September: A visit to Adwell House and the Rare Plant Fair being held there.
Monday, 11th September: We have the daughter of Rosemary Verey, Davina Wynne Jones, coming to talk to us about herbs and the herb garden she has created close to her mother’s famous house and garden, Barnsley House, where Davina was brought up.
As I write, it is very warm, hot might be more appropriate. So do take care with gardening in this heat. A siesta in the afternoon and work in the evening as many southern Europeans do is to be recommended. Even the bind weed is growing more slowly, is this just an illusion? I look forward to seeing you all at the Fête.
With best wishes, and keep in the shade,
Jennifer