Newtown Linford Gardening Club

Our most recent speaker was Don Witton from (near) Sheffield, a retired schoolteacher who has become a horticulturalist of some note. He holds the national collection of euphorbias on a large allotment near his home and he grows them along with many other flowering plants which he sells to local people and to gardening clubs where he delivers his talks.

His talk was about spring flowering perennials and euphorbias which flower from now until the end of June. To assist us, he distributed a list of the plants he would feature in his talk, so we could make notes and then visit his stall to buy them for our gardens. He also showed us which plants would be at their best during the different months of spring, so we could consider our planting strategy to ensure a continual display of colour.

Some of the plants he suggested were well-known ones which many of us would already be growing in our gardens such as hellebores, geums, lupins, geraniums and oriental poppies. However he did introduce us to some more unusual ones, which would enhance our traditional borders.

In April, he suggested erythroniums, trilliums and epimediums, all of which come in a wide range of colours depending on the variety you choose.

In May, of particular beauty was corydalis ‘Tory MP,’ which is a striking blue (pictured) but which he found difficult to grow, perhaps because of its name! It also sold well in some areas of the country but not at all in others. He also recommended polemoniums and erodiums. June brought some fresh varieties including campanula glomerata, many beautiful peonies, a blue mecanopsis and astrantias.

Don could not resist spending some time on his main passion euphorbias, he did, however, warn us to take care when handling these plants. The sap contains a potent irritant, which, if it gets onto skin can cause quite a lot of pain. He recommends euphorbias always be handled wearing gloves.

Our May speaker is Justin Harrison who will be showing us a wide variety of plants which will be at their best during the summer months (attendees will also have the opportunity to buy a selection).

After that, we will embark on our traditional summer activities visiting gardens of interest, both local and further afield and holding our Summer Garden Party.

More details of our club can be found by visiting www.newtownlinford.org.uk/gardening-club or by contacting us on 01530 242 452