COLINTON GARDEN CLUB
NEWSLETTER NO 82 April 2008
COLINTON GARDEN CLUB |
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Coming soon... Saturday 19th. April, 10 a.m. Monday 28th. April, 8 pm Saturday 10th. May, 10 am Monday 12th. May, 6.30 pm See below for more information about these events and others taking place in Spring and Summer! Library Gill Perry |
From the pen of our Chair…
Our expectations for a spectacularly warm and benign summer are so far (at the end of March) being frustrated by the banks of life-giving rain rolling in from the Atlantic and the West. But as always, Nature does not disappoint us as the early flowers respond to the light, bursting into bloom, before their display is to be overtaken by the rhododendron. Our members do not allow themselves to be defeated, either in their gardens, or in coming to meetings. For the talk on the “Queen Mother’s Garden” (25th February) in spite of storm and deluge, where even Colinton’s proud trees fought for survival, our members turned out in impressive numbers to listen to Simon Crutchley’s (RBGE) well illustrated talk. He was so enthusiastic that we have arranged for members to meet him there for a guided tour on Tuesday August 12th. Donald Mitchell spoke to us on 28th January on “Soft Fruit” with a wealth of detailed information. You will find a “fact sheet” summarizing this on our website under “events”. Ann Lindsay spoke to us eloquently on 31st March on “Secret Stories of Scottish Plant Hunters”, bringing these personalities vividly to life. This was the last of our winter programme of talks, before we move outside to see our ideas being put into action. How many of you went down to the Botanics between 22nd February and 9th March to see the Chinese Lantern Festival to which Caroline Pearson drew our attention? This magical event took place in the Glasshouses and showed us familiar surroundings in a new context. Walking around at night, with orchids and Chinese rarities spotlighted and the reflection of lanterns in the water expressed a mystical harmony between nature, tradition and ourselves. Finally we sipped green tea and were encouraged to make an origami lotus flower, inscribe it with a wish, and float it off into our dreams… Back to Colinton and reality! We are holding our AGM on April 28th. Do come along and help us to take stock of the past year, by giving us your comments and suggestions. Our hard-working Committee organizes the Club on your behalf and welcomes your ideas. You will not have forgottenthat we enhance the evening with a glass of wine (or soft drink) afterwards – and I will keep the proceedings short and to the point. In this newsletter you will see details of events over the summer. Next after the AGM comes the Photography Workshop for which at the time of writing we still have a few vacancies. Then the Evening Open Garden at Ann Duncan’s on 12th May, a good reason to have a stroll and see a spectacular garden. The Meconopsis Garden visit on 27th May will be popular – please book early if you would like to come. Further details of the Open Gardens and Summer Outing are also published in this newsletter. Christine Ireland has started work with her team on our This being the last newsletter of the current Club year (though not the last time we shall see each other), may I thank all of you for supporting the Club so enthusiastically. We will continue to devote ourselves to providing you with a meeting place where you can exchange knowledge, get help and connect with higher values than the simply materialistic. Happy gardening! Christopher Davies Outings and Events: Spring Summer Autumn 2008These events are planned in the coming months. Sign up now! Photography Workshops (Taking digital photos of plants and gardens) Saturday 19th April 10 am – 12 noon and Saturday 10th May 10 am – 12 noon at Napier University, Colinton Road (Craiglockhart Campus). Session1 £10, Session 2 £5. Please let Christopher Davies know if you wish to attend - chair@colintongardens.org.uk CGC Annual General Meeting Evening Spring Open Garden Visit to Meconopsis Garden Gardening Scotland (Colinton Garden Club Pallet Garden) Colinton Open Gardens in Bonaly Area, and Plant Sale CGC Annual Summer Outing Group visit to Queen Mother’s Garden, RBGE First meeting of 2008/09 session – Monday 22nd.
September 2008
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A tranquil garden; hear the sound of birdsong and wind whooshing in the trees.
A garden of beautiful plants; in spring, see great pink tufts of blossom on the viburnums and rhododendrons.
A scented garden; visit the sensory garden and smell the delicious narcissus.
A garden of rooms; follow the wind chimes to the Oriental garden, sit in splendour in the Italian garden.
An educational garden; there, groups learn to pot and plant and design.
A garden of healing; this offers inclusion for many who have learning and mental health problems.
An environmentally friendly garden; observe the greenhouse made of plastic bottles!
A garden centre; it offers choice plants at low prices and advice.
But Suntrap is a garden in danger, which needs support if it is to continue.
Please visit the garden, which is open to the public. Take the road to Riccarton, cross the roundabout and straight over to Gogarburn. After the humpbacked bridge, turn left and find the Sunflower sign!
Please consider joining Friends of Suntrap which needs the help of all those with an interest in gardening to join in supporting the continuance of this garden gem. It only costs £7 and offers a programme of visits and talks.
Isobel Lodge (Secretary of FOS – Friends of Suntrap)
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