Royal Horticultural Society RHS

• This garden based charity has continued to move towards operating as a large commercial enterprise during the year. I haven’t followed all the changes to the board and chief executive’s position but the culture of the organisation seems to be shifting still further from gardeners.
• I dislike the changes to the seed distribution scheme. I looked on that as one of the key benefits of membership.
• The new Library and Resource Center at Harlow Carr was a spectacular success in my opinion.
• During the year I visited Hyde Hall for the first time and was suitably impressed.
• ‘The Garden’ magazine continues its move towards ‘Country Life’ and I await the String of Pearl pictures with dread.

Plant Performance

• Exotics have survived for several years in our gardens but I fear the weather will get its revenge.
• Pelargoniums are available in progressively wider ranges of sizes and varieties. I see this trend continuing.
• Alpine plants are well supported via the AGS.
• Vegetable crops have continued to increase in popularity as healthy and economic eating have changed the habits of many gardeners. I now grow far more potatoes, in pots, than I did in a formal plot.
• As a low maintenance gardener who likes colourful annuals I have succumbed to buying plug plants with no regrets. Time is scarce and I save sowing, growing and pricking out time at an acceptable cost.

Gardening Impression

• Other people’s gardens are still better than mine or at least contain plants I covet.
• The need for better formal structure has become apparent as our designs are laid bare by the snow and ice we have suffered.
• Tools and equipment have not moved forward whilst technology has taken over so many other facets of life. Good quality tools designed for the job or a good homemade adaption are still the best.

Pond plants will be frozen in this winter.

Gardeners Tips Favourite Links

• The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
• Alpine Garden Society (AGS)
• Garden Organic the national charity for organic gardening formerly Henry Double Day Research
• BBC Gardening
• See our sister site Gardening Products for tips and ideas on Garden products new and old.
• Woodlands Trust
• The Pacific Bulb Society
• Thompson & Morgan search for seeds and plants

• Plant Heritage (formerly NCCPG).
• NGS – Gardens open for charity.
• Hebe Society.
• British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society.
• Cottage Garden Society.
• British Clematis Society.