Ibsley and District Horticultural Society: April 2023

Ibsley and District Horticultural Society

April Newsletter

Where has this month gone? I am sure that time is speeding up and the list of things to be done grows longer by the day. Thank goodness for the longer evenings and dare I say in the warmth that is felt when the sun breaks through. I am at the shall I / shan’t I moment as to whether to put out my precious plants and seedlings and to get the vegetable plot going.

Thanks to our wonderful plant sale last weekend, I now have a bit more space in my greenhouse although I did buy more plants as I couldn’t resist the amazing variety that our members produced on the day. I wish to thank everyone for their support and especially the committee for all their hard work. Two people who were incredible and who made the day happen were Bren Ings and Di Barnaby. They deserve a huge thank you from all of us.

I love to wander around my garden each morning to see what may have appeared overnight and to listen to the birds singing. I have had a couple of lovely surprises recently which happens to me from time to time as I am not an “organised” gardener. I forget where I have planted things even though I do try to label them. Yesterday I found a clump of arisarum proboscideum or mouse plant. It is a relatively small clump forming gem with glossy arrow shaped dark green leaves. The delight is in the spring if you carefully part the leaves, you find cream and purple flowers that look just like a tiny mouse tucked up with a long curling tail. I also discovered that I had a fritillaria acomopetala flowering which is a tall bell shaped purple and green fritillary which I have never managed to grow before. I love the snakeshead fritillaries that are becoming established in my garden and hope that this different variety will do the same.

It was great to see more people at our March meeting so hopefully this trend will continue for our next meeting – this Thursday (27^th)

The talk should be really interesting as our speaker is Kelvin Mason from Sparsholt College on composting and recycling in our gardens. This topic is very much on trend at the moment and could be helpful in making savings in today’s economic climate.

We would love to see you and also any entries that you may have to take part in our club competition. Bring along a pot plant, single bloom, bunch of flowers or a vegetable or fruit to enter. It all adds to the fun.

You can also get some zinnia seeds from Di Barnaby to grow for our annual show.

Bring a friend along too as we are a friendly bunch and they would be made very welcome.

Good gardening to you all and we look forward to seeing you soon.

From your Committee