North East

About the Group

The group meets at Stannington Village Hall, Near Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 6EL (map)
Contact
Madeline Giles
01207 560586
northeast@hardy-plant.org.uk
For full details visit the North East Group Website

2019 Programme

All meetings commence at 7-15 pm unless otherwise stated.

28th January, 2019
'Newby Hall'
Mark Jackson
The head gardener at Newby Hall, which is best known for its long double herbaceous border, with a new talk on plants, planning and working in the gardens.

25th February, 2019
'In From the Wild'
Bruce Ferguson
Bruce is a local nature based study and activities teacher and has created this talk for us on the natural history, folklore and past and present uses of native trees in our gardens.

25th March, 2019
'Hellebores from the wild to your garden'
Howard Drury
The history of the Hellebore and Ashwood Nurseries’ involvement in collecting and hybridising these valuable garden plants. In addition, tips on general cultivation of both deciduous and evergreen species and an insight into the breeding and raising of Hellebores.

30th March, 2019
SPECIAL SATURDAY EVENT 10am - 3pm
'Hepatica and Cyclamen – Lessons from Nature'
Samantha and Nigel Hopes
A study day with experts Samantha and Nigel who take an in depth look at each Genus to see how we can improve our cultivation of these gems. Hints and tips along with lots of practical demos, focusing on propagating and growing on plants for the garden.
Plants for sale
Ticket entry, contact group for details

29th April, 2019
'Dierama'
Ruth Plant
A fellow Hardy Planter and National Collection Holder of Dierama, Ruth’s collection was featured on BBC Gardeners’ World in July 2018. She will explore the background, history, varieties and growing conditions of this elegant plant. Plants for sale

20th May, 2019
Gardeners’ Queries
Plus Big Plant Sale & Seedling Swap
A chance to put questions to our expert panel on any gardening subject: plant ID, pests, diseases, recommended plants, what to plant where - ask away!
Followed by the Big Plant Sale & Seedling Swap.

23rd September, 2019, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
AGM followed by
‘A Field a Fork and a Barrowful of Ideas’
Martin Walker

28th October, 2019
’The Subtle Art and Exact Science of Pruning’
Timothy Walker

2nd December, 2019
‘Shady Characters and Shy Maidens’
Peter Williams

2018 Programme

22nd January, 2018
'My Dream Garden'
Heather Russell
A guide to the process of creating a high impact but low maintenance garden using a dynamic mix of grasses and perennials.

26th February, 2018
'Behind the Scenes as an RHS Judge'
Martin Fish
Ever wondered how the prestigious ‘Gold’ medal is awarded?
A fascinating look behind the scenes from Martin, an accredited RHS judge working at many RHS and independent flower shows.

26th March, 2018
'Nerines, Amarines and Tulbaghias' – a practical demonstration
Steve Hickman
A very welcome return by the owner of Hoyland Plant Centre with a practical demonstration using live plant material including the recently introduced Amarine (a hardy Amaryllis and Nerine hybrid).

23rd April, 2018
'History and Development of the English Primrose'
Joe Sharman
Joe is a nurseryman and Primula expert with a keen interest in hybridising.
He will take a look at how a few original wild species have produced the huge range of varieties available today.

12th May, 2018
'Crevice Gardening & Trough Making' a practical demonstration
Carole & Ian Bainbridge
SPECIAL EVENT Alpine experts Carole & Ian join us for a Saturday daytime meeting with expert guidance on how to successfully plant small alpines and how to make a trough from a fish box.
This event is ticket entry only, details in the newsletter in early 2018.

21st May, 2018
'Divisions and Cuttings' a practical demonstration
Mike Dale
Plus Big Plant Sale & Seedling Swap
Mike gave us a fascinating insight into Growing from Seed at our May 2015 meeting.
He returns with a look at the next stage of plant propagation. Followed by the Big Plant Sale & Seedling Swap.

24th September, 2018
AGM at 7pm followed by
'The Weeding of the 5,000, with 2 Hoes and 5 Wishes'
Jaime Blake
Jaime is the son-in-law of Alan Bloom, a founder of the Hardy Plant Society, working alongside him at the Dell Garden at Bressingham for 17 years. Since Alan’s death Jaime has continued as Curator and gardener.
Plants for sale

22nd October, 2018
'Highgrove and My Grove'
Bunny Guinness
Garden designer, plantswoman, writer and Gardeners’ Question Time panelist, Bunny will explore the two gardens she knows so well: her own Lincolnshire garden and HRH Prince Charles' garden at Highgrove.
GROUP MEMBERS ONLY EVENT - ticket entry, contact group for details

3rd December, 2018
'New Plants and Plans at Howick Hall'
Robert Jamieson
Head gardener and plant hunter at the highly regarded garden joins us with an especially created talk on new plants and plans for Howick. Plants for sale

2017 Programme

All meetings commence at 7-15 pm unless otherwise stated.

23rd January, 2017
'Plant Taxonomy: a little Latin goes a long way'
Chris Metherell
We may not think about it too much but as gardeners we use Latin every day as we buy plants and tend to our gardens. Chris Metherell of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland will be taking a humorous look at the vagaries of Botanical Latin, with the accent firmly on the odd and amusing

27th February, 2017
'Dahlias and the History of Halls of Heddon'
David Hall
The renowned traditional family run nursery Halls of Heddon was established in 1921 by David’s grandfather William Nicholson Hall. Since the early years they have specialised in Dahlias and Chrysanthemums and now grow almost 150,000 plants annually

27th March, 2017
'Meconopsis and Autumn Gentians'
Gavin McNaughton
After studying biochemistry, Gavin joined the family business, Macplants Nursery, gaining expertise from hands on experience. The nursery grows highly praised autumn Gentians bred by Dr Ian McNaughton, plus a large range of Meconopsis cultivars. Gavin is bringing plants for sale

24th April, 2017
'A Blank Canvas - making a new garden'
Susie White
Susie is a garden writer, photographer and author. A lifelong and passionate gardener, she spent 23 years at Chesters Walled Garden.
With her husband David Oakley, she has started afresh and created a new garden in a hidden valley in Northumberland

22nd May, 2017
'Plant breeding for practical gardeners'
Gerry Parker
Plus Big Plant Sale & Seedling Swap
Expect a sardonic approach as long term North East Group member Gerry Parker imparts his wit and wisdom on plant genetics and propagation by seed.
Followed by the ever popular Big Plant Sale & Seedling Swap

25th September, 2017
AGM at 7pm followed by
'Natural and Unnatural Gardening'
Peter Williams
A humorous talk on ‘meddling with nature’ from the East Yorkshire based scientist and HPS member

23rd October, 2017
'Daisy Daze'
Bob Brown
GROUP MEMBERS ONLY EVENT
A lively and humorous talk from the renowned plantsman, speaker, garden writer and owner of specialist nursery Cotswold Cottage Flowers

4th December, 2017
'Future Plans for Harlow Carr'
Paul Cook
The curator of Harlow Carr will talk about plans for the garden, including research by the RHS into the potential impact of climate change on plants.

2016 Programme

25th January, 2016
'Snowdrops'
Kathleen Scott
An enthusiastic and knowledgeable galanthophile, Kathleen has an impressive collection of more than 270 different snowdrops in her Ponteland garden
A timely talk on these harbingers of spring

22nd February, 2016
'Sedum for the Garden'
Ray Stephenson
Founder and Chairman of the Sedum Society, with the National Collection of Sedum in his Northumberland garden.
A recognised authority and author of a highly acclaimed book on Sedum

21st March, 2016
'Sissinghurst, Hidcote and Great Dixter - A Gardener’s View'
Martin Walker
Former Head Gardener at York Gate, this followed 39 years in horticulture with Leeds City Council including winning 3 Gold Medals at Chelsea. Martin will be looking at three famous gardens from a gardener's perspective; exploring style, planting ideas and how they can be incorporated into the average small garden

25th April, 2016
'The Versatile World of Campanulas'
Leila Jackson
Leila owns and runs the award winning small nursery, T3 Wall End Plants, near Leominster, Herefordshire, specialising in Abutilon, Salvia, and a range of unusual perennials.

Saturday 21st May, 2016 10am
Coffee morning
with Fiona Cowley in Rothbury

23rd May, 2016
'Demonstration: Propagating Violas'
Janet Beakes
Plantswoman and co-founder of Chipchase Nursery, our very own expert plant grower will demonstrate how to propagate one of her favourite plants.
The big plant sale and seedling swap follows - don't forget your containers and labels for collecting seedlings and to bring surplus seedlings and plants to share.

Wednesday 8th June, 2016 6pm
Summer garden visit
Mike & Pearl Dale in Felton

Friday 17th June, 2016
Bus trip to Mount St John
in Felixkirk, Yorkshire.

Tuesday 5th July, 2016 10am
Coffee morning
with Doreen Soulsby in Wall

Saturday 13th August, 2016 2pm
Summer garden visit
Sandra Dickinson in Stannington

Saturday 3rd September, 2016 10am
Coffee morning
with Marie Robson in Stanley

26th September, 2016 ,AGM at 7pm followed by
'The Gardens at Wynyard Hall - Roses, but not as we know them'
Alistair Baldwin
The creator of the new rose garden at Wynyard Hall with its restored walled garden and 3000 roses. The hall was originally built more than a century ago for Theresa, Lady Londonderry and when Sir John Hall bought the hall, the garden was derelict. Alistair was commissioned to create the gardens which opened in August 2015.

24th October, 2016
'It’s not time for bed yet! Re-thinking Autumn in the English Garden'
Helen Picton
Helen is the third generation working in the family business, Old Court Nurseries, specialising in the modern Asters hybridised by Ernest Ballard in the early years of the twentieth century. Autumn flowering plants, including Asters of course, will be the subject of this talk.
Helen will be bringing plants from the nursery for sale.

5th December, 2016
'Bulbs in the Garden'
Ian Young
A respected Alpine plant specialist, Ian has concentrated his attention on studying bulb cultivation for nearly 20 years and grows many bulbs both in the garden and in pots under glass. He is a regular contributor for ‘The Rock Garden’ the journal of the Scottish Rock Garden Club and has written for ‘The Alpine Gardener’ and other gardening magazines.