Our July meeting on Thursday July 13th is a talk from Robin Pearce called Crazy Daisies – exploring the world of ‘daisy-like’ flowers.  Robin is a retired nurseryman. He continues to grow very wide range of hardy plants, with a special interest in Dahlia, Hosta, Hemerocallis, Pulmonaria, and Galanthus, as well as woodland plants, ornamental grasses and hardy ferns. Robin is the former chair of the RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee, RHS Floral Judge, Exhibitor, Judge and Speaker. It sounds like a very informative evening awaits.

We have no meeting in August but there is still plenty to do and see before our September meeting.

Sunday July 2nd there is a Plant Hunters Fair at Whittington Castle near Oswestry SY11 4DF from 10 – 4. Free entry but pay and display car park.

Saturday and Sunday July 8^th & 9^th  11am to 5pm. Everybody will be warmly welcomed to Cannock Wood and Gentleshaw Open Gardens Weekend. 13 gardens, a very varied mix of sizes and styles to enjoy with refreshments in some gardens. Several have wonderful views and some are partially accessible by wheelchair users. Entry by programme (£5 for each adult) available on those days only at the Village Hall, Buds Road, WS15 4NB, free parking & plant stall. Please see www.opengarden.co.uk/ID1827 or www.cwggc.co.uk/events”

Sunday July 9th brings a Rare Plant Fair to Winterbourne House and Gardens in Birmingham

and Sunday July 23rd there is a Flower Power Fair at Sandon Hall.

The RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival is on from July 4 – 9, should you find yourselves down that way, and the RHS Show at Tatton Park (a little closer to home) is July 19 – 23. More details on the RHS website.

Moving on to August there are at least four Plant Hunters Fairs not too far from here –

Wednesday August 2nd at Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas SY14 8AH

Sunday August 13th at Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield SK11 9JY

Sunday August 20th at Carsington Water, Ashbourne DE6 1ST

and finally, really close to home, on Bank Holiday Weekend Sunday August 27 and Monday August 28 at the Dorothy Clive Garden.

Should you happen to be Devon in August the RHS Rosemoor Flower Show is on from August 18 – 20 – again, more details on the RHS website.

Full details of costs and opening times are on the websites – just click on the links above. There have plenty of other plant fairs and shows up and down the country so if you are on holiday its worth looking to see if one coincides with your visit.

Apart from plant fairs there will be lots of gardens open under the NGS scheme both locally and further afield – again details on their website, just click on the link above or download their app onto your smart phone.

For other garden-related trips have a look at some of the websites on our Useful Links page.