NL155 for website - Hardy Plant Society

Charity No. 208080
President: Roy Lancaster OBE VMH
Newsletter
Number 155 November 2012

The Hardy Plant Society Newsletter
is edited by Dee Folkard on behalf
of the Society and published in
February, July and November.
Views and opinions expressed are
those of individual contributors. The
editor is always delighted to receive
contributions to the Newsletter.
Email and Microsoft Word are
preferred, but paper copy is
acceptable if you do not have access
to a computer. Copy for the
February issue should be sent to the
Newsletter Editor no later than
Friday, 4 th January 2013.
The Hardy Plant Society
Little Orchard
Great Comberton
Pershore WR10 3DP
Tel: 01386 710317
admin@hardy-plant.org.uk
www.hardy-plant.org.uk
Cover photos: Echinacea ‘Green
Edge’ and a view of Sussex Prairies
Garden, on the ‘Stars of Late
Summer’ Study Day in August
© Sandra Hartley
Other photos: Ruth Baumberg,
Audrey Dawson, Elizabeth Hall,
Sandra Hartley, Chris Price-Morris,
Sue Ward
Drawing on page 16: Twink
Addison
CONTENTS
Page
Chairman’s Letter 3
Notice of AGM 4
Annual Lecture Day 5
Events Update 5
Hurrah for Hellebores 7
Spring Gardens Weekend 8
Galanthus Group AGM and Study Day 9
Cheshire & Friends 25 th Anniversary 9
Pulmonaria Group Meetings 10
Variegated Plant Group Meeting 11
West Yorkshire Conference 12
Hardy Geranium Group 12
Ranunculaceae Group 12
Cornucopia 13
When you get that tap on the shoulder 14
HPS Website 15
Sending for Seed – It’s So Tempting! 16
Photographic Competition Results 17
Action and Adventure 18
Gift-Aid Update 20
Conservation Scheme 20
Gardening with the Help of Technology
21
Group Secretaries’ Meeting Report 23
From the Administrator’s Office 26
Contact Information 27
HPS Booklets 31
Printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd, Portsmouth PO3 5HX
2

Chairman’s Letter
Dear Members
I hope that you have had a better summer in the garden than I have had. I was
still waiting for summer and then autumn arrived, with even more rain. Maybe
you have fared better.
Charmian, Elaine and Christine have settled well into the routines of the
Society. We have purchased a new financial software system that integrates
with a membership records system. It should be installed in the very near
future as soon as we have ensured that it will work effectively with the
website. It will reduce the amount of time Chris spends entering information
on to the financial system and also the time spent entering information on to
the computer in the office. In the February Newsletter we will let you know if
and/or how it will affect you. In the meantime it would assist us if you would
let Pam Adams have your up-to-date email address if you have one and also let
us know if you do not have one.
Unfortunately for us, Debbie Beckett has had to resign as Shows Coordinator
as she has started full-time employment. I am sorry to lose her and wish her
well in her job. Fortunately for us, Stella Exley has agreed to become our new
Shows Coordinator, starting in January next year.
Our members have continued to put on displays at various national and local
shows. Many of the displays have been awarded prizes and that recognises all
the hard work that goes into the planning, assembling and staffing.
Congratulations to you all.
We have had the photography competition. The details are in Trevor’s report
later in the Newsletter. It was successful as a result of Trevor’s work, your
entries and the input of the judges, Gerry Simpson and John McCormack.
Thank you.
I am pleased to welcome Susan Brown as Publicity Coordinator. Sue led a
lively and useful session with all the postholders and now has enough material
to draft a publicity plan for the Trustees to consider at their meeting in
February.
You will recall my plea in the last Newsletter for interested members to
contact me about the Vice-Chairmanship. I have had contact from some but no
definite arrangements as yet. Please watch the vacancies page on the website
for further information.
3

Do you have gardening friends who are not HPS members? Do you have a
local community centre/library? Do you open your garden to visitors
informally, under the NGS, or otherwise? Do you own a nursery? Do you visit
a nursery in your area? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then
please consider giving/having a supply of HPS leaflets available or displaying
an HPS poster. Remember that most new members learn about the Society
through you as existing members. My challenge is for each existing member to
introduce one new member every 3 years. So come on! Leaflets and posters
are available from the Administrator, Pam Adams. Simply email her on
pam@hardy-plant.org.uk or phone her on 01386 710317.
I hope that you have a Happy Christmas and New Year.
Vivienne McGhee
NOTICE OF THE 56 th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
We hereby give notice that the 56 th Annual General Meeting of the Hardy
Plant Society will be held on Saturday 23 rd March 2013 at Pershore College,
Worcestershire. Further details of the time and location will be given in the
February Newsletter.
Nominations are invited for three vacancies on the Trustees and for all Officers
of the Society. The normal term of office for Trustees is four years; the
Officers of the Society (the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Treasurer
and Honorary Secretary) are elected each year.
Nominations may be made via email or by the traditional nomination forms
which can be obtained from the Administrator, Pam Adams. The proposer
must ensure that all nominations include the names of the nominee, the
proposer and the seconder, and a statement which confirms the willingness of
the nominee to stand. A brief statement of relevant interests and experience
such as horticultural/gardens experience and/or committee/business and
organisation activities should also be included.
The Agenda for the AGM, including nominations, will be published in the
February edition of the Society’s Newsletter. Nominations must be received by
the Hon. Sec., Elaine Lofthouse, no later than 31 st December 2012.
In the event of any position being contested, ballot papers will accompany the
February Newsletter and the ballot will be entirely by post, with all votes to
reach the Administrator by close of business on Friday 15 th March 2013.
Elaine Lofthouse, Hon. Sec.
4

HPS ANNUAL LECTURE DAY
Saturday 23rd March 2013
The Worcestershire Group look forward to welcoming members to the Annual
Lecture Day which will be held at Pershore College, Avonbank, Pershore,
Worcestershire WR10 3JP.
Tel: 01386 552443. www.warwickshire.ac.uk/our_locations/pershore.aspx
Programme for the Day
10.00 – 10.30 am Registration, coffee/tea and biscuits, plant sales
10.45 Welcome and introduction
11.00 Lecture: ‘Bordering on Insanity’ – Timothy Walker
12.00 Question time
12.15 pm Plant Auction
12.30 Buffet lunch, tea and coffee, plant sales
1.45 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
2.45 Tea/coffee and biscuits
3.15 Lecture: ‘Fabulous Foliage – A Foil for Flowers’
Dr Andrew Ward
4.30 pm Raffle draw and close.
A number of nurseries will be invited to sell plants. The Worcestershire Group will
be selling plant supports. There will be an opportunity to purchase HPS booklets,
and a plant auction. A buffet lunch and provision to take your own lunch have been
organised. Further details will be available on the HPS website in November 2012
(www.hardy-plant.org.uk) and a booking form, together with directions to the
venue, will be available in the February 2013 HPS Newsletter. Please make a note
of the date.
Events Update 2012
2012 was another busy year for the HPS. The South Pennine group seemed to
relish the challenge of hosting the AGM/ALD event, as was evident from their
report in the last newsletter. The Scottish and Northern Borders Group
arranged a Late Spring Weekend rather than an Autumn Weekend, and, despite
the potential worries about fuel costs and great distance involved, members
were not deterred from attending. We had a wonderful weekend arranged by
Alistair and his team.
Although the Summer Gardens Day was just three weeks after the Dunblane
weekend, the coaches were full and members enjoyed another well-organised
event, visiting lovely gardens.
5

The ‘Stars of Late Summer’ Study Day in Sussex, hosted by the Southern
Counties Group, was held over the Bank Holiday weekend, but this was not an
obstacle and the event was well supported. A trip to the Floriade in Holland
completed the events for the year.
We had informative talks to listen to, well-laid-out gardens to wander through
and great company to enjoy. For those who have yet to join us at national
events, you will be most welcome. Information is gladly shared, cuttings
generously supplied and friendships fostered.
2013 Events:
• AGM/ALD at Pershore College, hosted by the Worcestershire Group –
23 rd March
• Study Day hosted by the Dorset Group – ‘Hurrah for Hellebores’ – 23 rd
February
• Spring Weekend hosted by the Kent Group – 17 th – 19 th May.
Thank you to all the groups who arranged national events. If you think we
should be visiting the gardens in your area, please do get in touch and I will be
happy to discuss any questions you may have.
I mentioned that I would share information on groups hosting events. The
following groups have hosted the AGM/ALD and national study days.
AGM/ALD
Study Days
2001: West Midlands Berkshire: 1997/2003
2002: Cheshire & Friends Cheshire & Friends: 1995/1998/2001
2003: Southern Counties Dorset: 2002/2013
2004: Cumbria Hampshire: 1993/1997/2001/2004
2005: Hampshire Hertfordshire: 2001
2006: North East Kent: 1994
2007: Nottingham North West: 1998/2003
2008: Devon Northamptonshire: 1996
2009: North West Shropshire: 2001
2010: Middlesex South Pennine: 1999
2011: Hampshire Southern Counties: 1997/2012
2012: South Pennine Staffordshire: 1998/2000/2002/2004
2013: Worcestershire West Midlands: 1996
Wilts & Avon: 1998/2010
Beverley Powlesland
6

HURRAH FOR HELLEBORES
(A celebration of the Hampreston Herd’s hundred years)
Dorset Group
Saturday 23 rd February 2013
If you haven’t yet booked for this exciting event, but want to do so, you are in
luck, as there are still places available. The Dorset Group invites members to a
Day of Hellebores, based at the Whitehall Hotel, Bournemouth, famous for its
magnificent beaches and gardens. This event is timed to celebrate the
centenary of the Trehanes’ herd of British Holstein Friesians – the oldest
known closed herd in the world.
After registration and coffee, Diana Guy will give an illustrated lecture on
hellebores. Diana is a Dorset Group member and a BBC Gardener of the Year
who lectured at a similar hellebore event at Great Dixter in spring 2012.
Following a buffet lunch, we travel by coach to Manor Farm in Hampreston,
near Wimborne Minster, to enjoy the early spring garden of Anne and Guy
Trehane. Anne and Guy are the third generation of Trehanes to nurture this
garden and they have spent the last ten years restoring it to its former glory.
Dorset Group has held successful plant sales at this garden’s NGS open days
for the last five years. Guy will talk briefly on the history of the garden as part
of a hundred years of farming at Hampreston, explain the distinctiveness of a
closed herd and introduce us to his cows (each of them has a name beginning
with H). Hellebores will be on sale by well-known specialist nursery, RD
Plants of Axminster. Tea and biscuits will be served back at the hotel and there
will be facilities for non-residents to wash and brush-up before a three-course
dinner with menu choices.
We are honoured that our President Roy Lancaster OBE, VMH, has agreed to
be our after-dinner speaker.
Tickets for the day are £55: this includes lecture, garden visit by coach,
morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with speaker.
Whitehall Hotel is offering B&B en suite accommodation at £42 per person
per night – there is no single supplement. Accommodation will also be
available at the Whitehall’s sister hotel, the Arlington Hotel, which is next
door but one in the same road. This is to be booked directly with the hotel,
details of which will be in the booking form.
An optional visit by coach to Diana Guy’s garden is offered, subject to
numbers, on the following morning, Sunday 24 th February. Her garden, deep in
7

Dorset’s countryside, surrounds a delightful thatched cottage and is packed
with hellebores and other plants with year-round interest.
The Dorset Group looks forward to welcoming you to the south coast in
February for a weekend of plants by the sea. For a booking form and further
details please see the HPS website dorsetstudyday@hardy-plant.org.uk or
contact Angela Edwards on 01202 884341.
SPRING GARDENS WEEKEND
Friday 17th to Sunday 19th May 2013
The Kent Group looks forward to welcoming you to the Garden of England for
next year’s national weekend. We will be based in the Mercure Maidstone
Great Danes Hotel, which is set in its own extensive grounds, while being
easily accessible from the motorway network, as it is only half a mile from
Junction 8 on the M20. It is also a short taxi ride from Hollingbourne railway
station.
On Saturday and Sunday we will have visits by coach to five very different
gardens belonging to HPS members, with lunch on Saturday provided in a
village hall by a local WI. The planned events will finish at lunchtime on
Sunday, allowing those with long journeys plenty of time to get home. For
those who wish to extend their stay, extra nights at the hotel can be booked at a
reduced rate, and Sunday lunch can also be pre-booked. The welcome pack
will include suggestions for other gardens to visit.
Friday evening will be an opportunity to relax and socialise, with
entertainment provided by displays and various fun elements, while on
Saturday evening we will have a gala dinner and a speaker from a renowned
nursery. There will of course be opportunities to buy plants, with a selection of
nurseries at the hotel on Friday afternoon, and plants available for sale in some
of the gardens.
The total cost for the weekend will be £205, with a £32 single supplement.
This includes two nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast, lunch on Saturday, the
lecture, coach travel and entry to all gardens.
Further information and a booking form are now available to download from
the HPS website, or by writing to Karin Proudfoot, The Old Rectory,
Fawkham, Longfield, Kent DA3 8LX, enclosing a stamped addressed
envelope, minimum DL size (22 x 11cm).
8

Galanthus Group
AGM and Study Day
Sunday 17th February 2013
The 2nd AGM and Study Day of the HPS Galanthus Group will be held on
Sunday 17th February 2013 at the British Legion Club Hall, South Street,
Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8JQ from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm.
After reception, the day will start at 10.00 am with the Annual General
Meeting. This will be followed by two talks. The first will be Jim Almond
speaking on ‘Snowdrops in the Green’, and then Joe Sharman will tell us about
‘The New, the Rare and the Curious’. After lunch (not provided) delegates will
travel to visit ‘Ivy Croft’ in nearby Ivington, which is the home and garden of
Sue and Roger Norman who have an extensive snowdrop collection.
Tickets are £12 for Group members, and a booking form can be found with
their Autumn Newsletter (Issue No. 2). Membership of the Hardy Plant
Society and the Galanthus Group is necessary to book tickets.
Group Membership is £5 per annum, and potential new members should
contact the Membership Secretary, Marie Paginton, at the address given in the
Contact Information at the end of this Newsletter.
Cheshire & Friends Group
25 th Anniversary Celebrations
Saturday 13 th April 2013
11.00 am until 16.30 pm
The Cheshire & Friends Group are celebrating their 25 th Anniversary on
Saturday 13 th April 2013 with a Plant Sale featuring 10 nurseries plus our own
Cheshire & Friends plant stall from 11.00 am, followed by a ticketed talk at
2.00 pm by Tom Hart Dyke entitled ‘Tales of a Modern Plant Hunter’. The day
will end at approximately 4.30 pm with tea, coffee and birthday cake.
This will take place in Frodsham Community Centre, Fluin Lane, Frodsham,
Cheshire, WA6 7QN.
Entry to the Plant Sale is free, and tea, coffee and home-made cake will be on
sale throughout the morning. No lunches will be provided so please bring your
own, or it is a 15 minute walk into Frodsham to eat at any of the various pubs
or restaurants.
9

Tickets for Tom Hart Dyke’s talk are £5.00 each. If you would like to order,
please send a note of how many tickets you require, a cheque made out to HPS
Cheshire & Friends Group and an SAE to Mrs G Brewster, 2 Beech House,
Gatesheath Lane, Tattenhall, Chester, CH3 9AS. Please also indicate if you
need a map. Tickets will be sent out from the end of December onwards.
Further information can be obtained from Gaye Brewster: 01829 771468 or
gayeb@btinternet.com
Pulmonaria Group Meetings 2013
The Pulmonaria Group will hold two meetings in 2013 to celebrate the 21 st
Anniversary of the formation of the group.
The first meeting will be on April 13 th 2013 at Lower Broadheath Village Hall
near Worcester. In the morning we will be looking at the early days of the
Group and the subsequent development of the range of Pulmonarias available
today. In the afternoon we will visit Worlds End Nursery and Garden close by.
The second meeting will be on September 21 st at Newton Tony Village Hall in
Wiltshire. In the morning Jennifer Harmer and Sue Ward will lead a talk and
discussion on the beautiful foliage that Pulmonarias can bring to the garden
through the summer. In the afternoon we will visit the garden of Lyn Miles to
view her large collection of Pulmonarias. We will also visit the garden close
by of her friend Karen Robertson.
Non-members of the Group are welcome to come. An application form can be
obtained from the Group Secretary, Barry Street (contact details on page 28 of
this newsletter).
Getting down to business at the Pulmonaria Day at Bressingham in
April this year
10

Variegated Plant Group Meeting
Sunday 9 th June 2013
Our 2013 meeting will be held on Sunday 9th June at: Blacksmith’s Cottage
Nursery, Langmere Road, Langmere, Nr Dickleburgh, Norfolk, IP21 4QA.
(http://www.blackcottnursery.co.uk/nursery.html) The nursery, owned by Ben
Potterton, is well known for its range of excellently grown plants and for the
events held there during the spring and summer.
On this occasion, the day will be in two parts. A morning session, starting at
10.00 am, will include our short AGM, our renowned plant auction, and an
opportunity for some discussion of new or unusual variegated plants. This part
of the day will be for Variegated Plant Group members only, it’s free of charge
and, of course, new members are always extremely welcome. If you would like
to join, then please contact Jane Kilpatrick, Downton House, Gloucester Street,
Painswick, Gloucestershire GL6 6QN or, if you would like more information,
Brian Dockerill, 19 Westfield Road, Glyncoch, Pontypridd, Mid-Glam., CF37
3AG or brian.dockerill@tiscali.co.uk.
The afternoon, also free, will be held in conjunction with Blacksmith’s Cottage
and the local members of National Association of Flower Arrangement
Societies (NAFAS). This will be open to the general public and advertised as a
‘Variegated Plant and Cutting Garden Day’. It will be an opportunity for us to
promote variegated plants to a wider audience. More details will be given in
the February Newsletter, but the afternoon will include demonstrations,
displays, and talks.
Brian Dockerill
Exploring the display garden at Avondale Nursery at the VPG
Meeting in June this year
11

The West Yorkshire Group look forward to welcoming you to their
Biennial Conference
Saturday 11 th May 2013
Pudsey Civic Hall
‘First Impressions, Second Thoughts’
Speakers: Heather Russell, Bob Sanderson, Bob Brown, Ursula Buchan
All for the bargain price of £20
Booking details in the February 2013 Newsletter. Enquiries to Sue Gray –
01943 600150
Hardy Geranium Group
Saturday 15 th June 2013
The Hardy Geranium Group will hold a Geranium Day at Avondale Nursery,
near Coventry, on Saturday June 15th 2013. As usual, a plant sale will be part
of the programme, giving members a chance to acquire hard-to-get varieties.
Non-members are welcome to come to learn more about this versatile and
easy-going family of plants. There are hardy geraniums flowering from April
to October and plants can be found to suit every part of the garden. Further
information will be available from the Geranium Group Secretary in early
2013.
Ranunculaceae Group
AGM 8 th September 2012
Election of new Chairman
Following the postal ballot, 24 voting papers were received by the Secretary.
Joan Cooper was retiring as Chairman and Sue Lander had agreed to stand for
election to the post. As there were no other nominations she was elected
unanimously to be our new Chairman. There were no new nominations for the
committee and the remaining Officers and Committee were re-elected en bloc
and the Annual Accounts approved.
Ranunculaceae Day 2013
We already have our next meeting planned for Saturday 22nd June 2013, this
time in Essex, with a lecture in Roxwell Village Hall (near Chelmsford) by
Julian Sutton, of Desirable Plants nursery in Devon, on thalictrums and other
compatible members of the family Ranunculaceae, followed by garden visits.
Further details and a booking form will be in the Spring Newsletter, but don’t
forget to put the date in your diaries now.
12

Our New Chairman
One question I was asked at our Aconitum meeting recently was “Where did
you come from?” It wasn’t referring to the county, as I had ‘Essex’ typed on
my badge! So here goes.
I haven’t come from a gardening background – my mother positively loathed it
and my husband hates the colour green. It was only when I moved to my
present home in 1997 and was faced with an overgrown garden and a grizzly
child that I had the perfect opportunity to escape outside and get stuck in. I
discovered a small but immaculate local nursery where I worked for a few
hours each week and started to learn about herbaceous perennials. In search of
further knowledge I took evening classes for the RHS Level 2 Certificate at
Writtle College, followed by a one-year Certificate of Ornamental Horticulture
at RHS Hyde Hall. I was the oldest student they had had but I think I surprised
them and myself in my handling of tractor and trailer reversing! It was a
wonderful opportunity and the highlight for me was going to Wisley for one
week to work for the Rock and Alpine Department.
After a six-month contract with Hyde Hall I started to work locally in
gardening. I don’t consider myself a designer in hard landscaping – I like to
design with plants. I have also joined several societies: HPS, Alpine Garden
Society, British Clematis Society and Plant Heritage (I am currently the
Collections Coordinator for Essex). These have brought me immense pleasure,
not just for the friendships I have made but for the rich assortment of
knowledge there is to be learnt. I still consider myself a beginner – the more I
know the less I know but I’m having fun along the way!
Sue Lander
Cornucopia
A significant benefit of HPS membership is the ability to receive two copies of
Cornucopia a year at a very attractive price. If you subscribed this year you
will have been able to enjoy around 40 of the best articles taken from the
Society’s Local and Specialist Group newsletters.
To ensure that you continue to receive Cornucopia next year, or to subscribe
for the first time, you should complete the appropriate section on the national
membership renewal form when it arrives this autumn. Please note that, even if
you pay for your HPS membership by standing order, you will still need to
complete the form and return it to the Administrator with your cheque to
become or remain a Cornucopia subscriber.
Tony Bays
13

When You Get That Tap on the Shoulder
Many jobs have come my way by people tapping me on the shoulder, so when,
on the 19th July, I received a phone call from Vivienne McGhee to ask if I
would consider being the Publicity Officer for the Society, my response was,
“It’s not a no and it’s not a yes”. Following a few more telephone
conversations I am now delighted to say I have accepted the role. I feel both
excited and privileged to have been given this great opportunity. Having been
a member of the HPS for over 20 years within the West Yorkshire Group I felt
I wanted to give something back to the Society as a thank you to Pat Clarke
and Gill Evans, two members who have encouraged my interest in gardening
and from whom I’ve learnt so much.
I have had an interest in gardening since I was a child, sowing annuals from
seed with my father, but eventually my increasing passion for flower arranging
stimulated my interest in growing perennials. I retired in 2007 after a
successful corporate career in finance, holding senior roles within IT, HR,
Customer Services and Training, and eventually was appointed as Board
Director. I now give my time as a volunteer to charities so that they can benefit
from my business acumen.
I support many charities but, from a horticultural perspective:
• I’m a volunteer gardener every Tuesday for the delightful garden
known as York Gate which is owned by Perennial.
www.perennial.org.uk
• I sit on a sub-committee responsible for organising the flowerarranging
marquees for the North of England Horticultural Society,
which stages the Harrogate Spring and Autumn Flower Shows.
www.flowershow.org.uk
14
Sue Brown (right) with
Joan Smithies at Draco
Castle on the Late Spring
Weekend in Scotland in
June

As the Publicity Officer I’m looking forward to utilising my strategic-planning
skills and marketing knowledge to enhance the publicity for the HPS. My first
challenge is to produce a 3 to 5 year Publicity Strategy in preparation for the
Trustees’ meeting in February. I plan to work closely with all the postholders
to implement the strategy in a practical manner and also to identify key focus
areas for immediate attention.
You can help me:
• if you are interested in helping me revamp the Society Publicity
• if you have any contacts that you feel may be useful to me in my role
• if you have any ideas that you feel would benefit the image of the HPS.
Please call me (0113 2611183) or email: publicity@hardy-plant.org.uk so that
we can have a chat.
Email Update Plea
If you use email, please ensure that Pam Adams has your correct email
address. Please send her an email, including your name, postcode and
membership number (if known), to emailchange@hardy-plant.org.uk
So, you never know when or where you will get that tap on the shoulder.
Personally, I’m so pleased that Vivienne made that telephone call on the 19th
July.
Sue Brown
HPS Website
There are now two ways to get horticultural help from the HPS via the
Internet. The revised Horticultural Advice service can be accessed by emailing
your question to advisory@hardy-plant.org.uk. It will, if necessary, cause the
team of HPS horticultural experts to swing into action and try to provide you
with a speedy and accurate answer. Alternately, you can pose your question on
our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hpshome) for it to be answered by
other members and the general public. Our Facebook page is not limited to
horticultural questions – it's not even limited to questions and answers. You
can use it to publicise that great talk your group is having, you can show the
wonderful plant that would have won the local show if only it had flowered a
week or two earlier (or later) or you can just chat about your garden.
Don't forget the website as well. It's a wonderful resource of plant knowledge
(including all of our conservation plants) and details of group meetings, plant
fairs etc. Just in case you need reminding, the website is at:
www.hardy-plant.org.uk
Cliff Powlesland
15

Sending for Seed – It’s So Tempting!
Last year well over a thousand members
enjoyed browsing their catalogues and
ordering HPS seed. You will have received
your catalogue with this Newsletter and the
distribution team hope that there is plenty to
tempt you to order, perhaps choosing
something with which you are currently
unfamiliar in addition to tried and tested
favourites.
It can be difficult deciding what to order and
we hope that the database on the HPS website
will prove helpful – it includes some
descriptive detail for every plant as well as
indicating photo availability.
The invaluable help from Local Groups has
once again allowed us to offer carefully
packaged seed which has been generously
donated by many of our members and which,
thanks to the efforts of the distribution team, is
available this year – some having been sent
from the other side of the world for our
benefit. Should any Local Group members feel
they would like in the future to be involved
with the distribution, please let me know.
Meanwhile I hope you enjoy Twink Addison’s
drawing and wish you all happy growing.
Sue Pinsent (Coordinator, Distribution
Team)
16

Photographic Competition Results
Thank you to all the members who entered the Photographic Competition and
to those who included extra images for addition to the library.
The results are as follows:
Category 1 – Individual hardy perennial – whole plant or close up.
1 st Mr Kelly Baldry (Osteospermum jucundum)
2 nd Ruth Baumberg (Iris lutescens)
3 rd Ilja Smit-Kroon (Inula hookeri)
Category 2 – Plant grouping, border, garden view, HPS event.
1 st John Silk (‘Pondside’)
2 nd Karin Proudfoot (‘Contrasting Forms’)
3 rd Mrs J. Skinner (‘Aconitum with fennel’)
Category 3 – Members’ children/grandchildren (16 or under) – any gardeningrelated
subject.
1 st Naomi Aldridge (Echinacea ‘Sundown’)
2 nd Susie Holliman (Dandelion)
3 rd Anna (Pat Haynes) (Shasta Daisy)
Commended: Lauren (Pat Haynes) (Hemerocallis)
Winning photographs will be printed in the 2013 Spring Journal and can be
viewed on the HPS website now.
Thank you to the judges, Gerry Simpson and John McCormack, whose
knowledge was invaluable.
Catalogues for both the Slide and Digital Image Libraries are available for
downloading from the website (donations of photographs of plants or subjects
not included in these catalogues are especially welcome). Thumbnails of the
images in the Digital Library are on the website. Alternatively, paper copies of
both are available from me; please enclose 7 x 2 nd class stamps.
If a digital image of the subject that you require is not available, then please
look in the Slide Library and I will convert the slide to a digital image. Prints
can also be supplied up to A3 size.
Further donations to the library should be sent to: 143 Temple Lane,
Copmanthorpe, York YO23 3TE.
Trevor Walton
17

Action and Adventure
The Denbigh and Flint County Show celebrated its 150th anniversary in
August 2012. This show is in the Clwyd Group’s local area and, as a major
horticultural and agricultural event, it seemed an opportunity not to be missed
to attend and promote the HPS. The show attracts a large numbers of visitors
who might be interested in joining the HPS or coming to a meeting in
Holywell – so we decided to give it a go!
We were delighted to be located in the horticultural marquee as we expected a
large footfall due to its busy nature, with show prizes awarded to floral
displays, photography and vegetable categories. We were also pleased that the
event and our marquee featured in the S4C (Welsh) programme on the TV and
there was a glimpse of us in HPS attire and the HPS banner proving that we
were actually there and are now stars of stage and screen.
What we experienced was extraordinary – the interest that visitors showed in
us was proof positive that attending events such as this should be a feature of
our annual programme. We were asked many questions about how to grow
plants and what plants we would recommend for certain aspects and soil types.
All of which has given us ideas for information to provide in the future at such
events.
Free seeds
18

A great feature, enjoyed by all,
was the ‘Flower Tower’ created by
Sue Morris which acted as a
beautiful beacon bringing visitors
to us. Shining from it were 21
varieties of hardy perennial
flowers and berries on a foliage
background of copper beech. In
contrast there was a pretty potted
display of selected hardy plants
e.g. Hosta ventricosa ‘Variegata’,
Verbena rigida ‘Polaris’,
Penstemon ‘Pensham Laura’,
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Rosyjane’,
Lewisia hybrids and Sempervivum.
So did we do the right thing?
Many took away the free seeds,
donated by the Clwyd Group
members, HPS membership
leaflets and hopefully a desire to
think about ‘Hardy Plants’ in a
new way!
HPS Clwyd Group
The Flower Tower
19

Gift-Aid Update
Thanks to the diligence of former Hon Sec Derek Cooper we can now claim
Gift Aid on Society subscriptions with effect from April 2012. In effect the
arrangements allow us to reclaim 28p in the pound for subscription income
from HMRC; this applies only to subscription payments made by UK incometax
or capital-gains-tax payers. Gift Aid will be worth several thousand pounds
of income for the Society each year.
It is essential that eligible members complete a Gift Aid Declaration, to be
found on the reverse of the subscription renewal form (sent with this
newsletter). For those members who pay by standing order it is especially
important that you complete this declaration and return the signed form to the
Admin office.
Members need sign the declaration only once – there is no requirement for
annual confirmation. The declaration was included in the 2012 subscription
renewal form and you may have signed that one; however, if you cannot
remember, then it is better that you sign again rather than not at all!
If you cease to become a UK income-tax or capital-gains-tax payer, please
notify the Admin office.
Derek wishes to record his appreciation of the helpful way in which HMRC
officers have dealt with this issue and the Society is grateful to him for his long
hours of extensive work in reaching this conclusion.
Elaine Lofthouse, Hon. Sec.
Conservation Scheme
The pages on the website are providing interested parties with more
information about the plants in the scheme and there has been a significant
increase in the number of images thanks to growers in various groups. If you
haven’t already browsed the Conservation Scheme pages on the HPS website
they’re worth a look as there are good hardy perennials in danger of being lost
and thanks must go to the website team for keeping the information regularly
updated.
Links with Plant Heritage’s ‘Threatened Plants Project’ are ongoing and it is
helpful for our Society to be involved with the activities of other plant groups
in the area of conservation.
Sally Adams, our database administrator, and I have spent a lot of time in the
last few months modifying the plant-data form which many of the
20

growers/propagators have found onerous to say the least. This modified form
will be presented at the annual plant exchange and it should make the lives of
the group coordinators and their growers easier without sacrificing the
important plant information we need to collect.
Ending with a plea again, the Conservation Scheme has an important role to
play in fulfilling the main objects of the HPS, yet the number of Local Groups
taking part and regularly attending the annual meeting is very small by
comparison. If you are an individual in a Group that isn’t involved in the
scheme you can still take part as long as you are able to take plants, propagate
them and pass them to others who are also willing to do the same. It is also
preferable if you can attend the annual meeting to collect and return plants, as
the cost of postage is becoming prohibitive. The more people that are involved,
the more perennials can be saved from disappearing and, if you have a plant
that has less than four entries in the Plant Finder that you think should be
propagated, I’d like to hear from you.
A list of those Local Groups taking part in the scheme is given below so please
contact me if you are interested in either starting a conservation group in your
area or as an individual without a group who wants to join (my details can be
found at the end of the newsletter).
Groups in the Conservation Scheme
Cambs & Beds
Cheshire & Friends
Derbyshire
Essex
Hampshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Lincolnshire
Monmouthshire
Norfolk & Suffolk
North West
Southern Counties
South Pennine
Shropshire
Staffordshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
Helen Mount
Conservation Scheme Coordinator
Gardening with the Help of Technology
(or how I overcame my fear of computers!)
I am an average plant-crazy person who just happens to use a wheelchair
owing to my disability. Over time certain garden tasks, mostly involving
dexterity and mobility, have got increasingly challenging.
However, I have great news for all of the plantaholics at the HPS – the
computer can really help to plug a gap. Not only can you read about and see
desirable plants; you can find out about cultural habits, preferred situations,
good planting combinations. There are a myriad of websites including the HPS
one.
21

Once the garden-visiting/plant-search itch has been scratched, then the handy
computer can be your tool to buy seeds and plants galore. Because I love
growing vegetables as well as plants of all kinds, I was especially delighted to
find many websites specialise in veg and herb seed and sell tokens for a lovely
gift. One website, Moreveg, even sells tiny quantities useful for a one- or twoperson
household. Then your postperson brings the plant material to your
doorstep!
Finally, I discovered the computer could help me with renewing memberships,
including the HPS. My internet bank was happy to set up an SO and it was so
easy, even I did not manage to mess it up.
So, plantaholics, get into the Internet – it can improve your gardening no end!
Jacky Mortimer
White and green
planting on the West
Yorkshire Group’s
exhibit at the
Harrogate Autumn
Show, awarded a
Silver-Gilt Medal
The Kent Group won a Platinum Medal for their stand at the
Kent Garden Show
22

The North West Group
were awarded a Large
Gold Medal and the
Christiana Hartley
Perpetual Challenge
Trophy for ‘the most
meritorious exhibit
(trade or amateur)’ at
the Southport Show.
Their imaginative
interpretation of the
theme ‘COOL’
incorporated the
Olympic rings.
Group Secretaries’ Meeting 2012
The 24th annual Group Secretaries’ Meeting was held on Saturday 13th
October 2012 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham.
The Groups Coordinator, Chris Strachan, welcomed all members, especially
those who were attending for the first time.
The National Chairman, Vivienne McGhee, reported that the vacancy for the
Publicity Coordinator had been filled a few weeks ago by Sue Brown from the
West Yorkshire Group. Sue had given a presentation to the recent Postholders’
meeting and stressed the importance of Postholders concentrating on the future
of the Society and all that that entails as regards publicity. Sue will give a
presentation to the Trustees at their meeting in February, outlining her
publicity strategy for the next 2–3 years. Feedback from the Postholders’ and
Group Secretaries’ meetings will inform her thinking.
Vivienne reported that Debbie Beckett had resigned as Shows Coordinator but
that her presentation at last year’s GSM had inspired some groups to take part
in local shows. Vivienne hopes to appoint someone to take Debbie’s place in
the near future [see update in Chairman’s Letter]. Sue Pinsent had taken over
23

from Barbara Matthewman as Seed Distribution Coordinator, and the new IT
system is being installed, with Cliff Powlesland (HPS Webmaster) working on
a link between the website and PayPal for subscriptions and orders.
Elaine Lofthouse, who has been the Dorset Group Secretary for the past 14
years, introduced herself as the new Society Hon. Sec. She reported that
members’ subscriptions are now eligible for Gift Aid and members are
encouraged to complete the Gift-Aid declaration on renewal forms to be
distributed with the November Newsletter. Gift Aid is not relevant to Groups
as they are not charities.
Elaine also stressed that three new Trustees are needed. The number and terms
of office for trustees was changed recently and as a result five Trustees will be
retiring at the 2013 AGM. New Trustees will serve for a four-year period.
Charmian Odle introduced herself as the new Society Honorary Treasurer. She
is a keen gardener and has been a member of the HPS for five or six years.
Jane Kilpatrick, who is a member of the new publicity team, encouraged
everyone to start thinking about publicity because “people have never heard of
us” and it is vital that we raise our profile with the general public. She had
written guidelines on publicity, and writing a Press Release, which had been
circulated to Group Secretaries.
Vivienne then reminded the meeting of the Society’s charitable objects and
how publicity can help to achieve them. Discussion in small groups followed,
considering the overall aims of publicity – to have the HPS recognised in the
‘Gardening World’ and to maintain and increase our membership. The groups
considered how the publicity coordinator could help groups and how groups
can contribute to the strategy. Much lively discussion followed and ideas were
put forward to be considered by Sue Brown.
The afternoon group forum discussed matters suggested by group secretaries,
including how groups are using new media (email, website, Facebook etc.),
financing of shows, hosting a National event, etc. A discussion on evaluation
of speakers followed, with some members in favour of a formal evaluation and
others not convinced that this was necessary. Some bad experiences were
shared and a number of good speakers were recommended.
This year’s meeting was well-attended; friendly and informative, as usual,
giving participants plenty of opportunity to meet and chat with other Group
Secretaries.
Chris Strachan
HPS Groups Coordinator
24

Talking to visitors on the Worcestershire Group’s stand at the
Malvern Autumn Show
Cheshire & Friends were awarded a Silver-Gilt Medal at Tatton
Park Flower Show for ‘A Place to Take a Break’
25

From the Administrator’s Office
Please send a C4 (324 x 229 mm) self-addressed envelope with the required
number of loose 2 nd class stamps to receive copies of the following. No
payment is required.
Please DO NOT STICK ANY STAMPS on the envelope.
Bed & Breakfast List 2013 – 1 stamp
Gardens Open List 2013 – 2 stamps
Register of Lecturers 2013 – 4 stamps
These lists are also in the Members’ Area on the Society’s website to view and
are available as pdf files which can be downloaded and printed.
HPS Booklets – please use order form in the newsletter.
Back copies of The Hardy Plant – limited stock from 1957–1989 (black and
white) @ £2.50; all issues from 1990–present (colour) @ £3.50; prices include
p&p. Please telephone or email for an order form.
Subscriptions
Subscriptions are payable on 1st January 2013; the annual subscription rates
are £17.00 for single membership or £19.00 for two members at one address
(joint membership), with an optional charge of £10.00 for overseas members,
outside Western Europe, who wish all their mailings to be sent by airmail. All
subscriptions should be sent to the Administrator’s office and not to the Hon.
Treasurer or Hon. Secretary. If you wish to pay your 2013 subscription by
Standing Order through your bank or building society, please telephone
or email to request a mandate before mid-December.
All enquiries concerning Hardy Plant Society matters and membership
renewals should be addressed to the Administrator in office hours, or
messages can be left on the answering machine.
Pam Adams
26

The Hampshire Group’s display of pots planted with late-summer
perennials won them a Large Gold Medal at the Romsey Show
27

HPS Booklet Order Form
November 2012
The Hardy Plant Society has pleasure in making the following items available, post
free, to members by Mail Order.
Quantity Title Cost Total
Astilbe, Bergenia & Rodgersia COLOUR £3.00
Epimediums COLOUR £3.00
Euphorbias COLOUR £3.00
Ferns COLOUR £3.00
Hostas COLOUR £3.00
Penstemons COLOUR £3.00
Grasses £2.50
Hardy Geraniums £2.50
Umbellifers £2.50
Campanulas SALE £1.00
Heucheras SALE £1.00
Irises SALE £1.00
Phlox SALE £1.00
Pulmonarias SALE £1.00
Success with Seeds SALE £1.00
Total of order
Name ………………………………………………………………………....
Address ………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………… Postcode ……………………….
I enclose a cheque payable to The Hardy Plant Society
Or Please debit my debit/credit card by the sum of £…….. (Minimum order £10)
Card Number
Expiry Date
Security Code
Name as printed on card ...…………………………………………….
Signature …………………………………Date ...…………………….
Send order to Ginny Lowe, Little Orchard, Great Comberton, Pershore,
WR10 3DP.
28