Our meeting this month is Thursday April10th in the Christ Church Centre at 7.30pm (tea/coffee and biscuits from 6.45). John Cullen of John Cullen Gardens will tell us about his obsession with Achilleas. His first packets of seeds, from the local garden centre, were marrows and Achillea. There, his love of all things horticultural began. John Cullen Gardens in Lincolnshire specialise in plants for pollinators, as well as culinary and medicinal herbs. The Gardens hold the National Collection of Achillea millefolium and have over 30 medals including Silver at the coveted RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Gold at BBC Gardener’s World Live and the Blenheim Palace Flower Show.
Lots of plant fairs and NGS gardens opening this month within (fairly) easy reach of Stone starting with the Plant Hunters’ Fairs – check on their website for buying tickets.
Sat – Sun 5 – 6 April Weston Park, Shifnal TF11 8LE 10am-4pm Gardens & Fair £5.00 TICKETED
Sun 13 April Middleton Hall, Tamworth B78 2AE 9am-4pm Gardens & Fair £4.00 TICKETED
Fri 18 April Whittington Castle, Oswestry SY11 4DF 10am-4pm Free Entry (P&D Parking)
Sun – Mon 20 – 21 April Dorothy Clive Garden, Market Drayton TF9 4EU 10am-5pm Gardens & Fair £5.00
Flower Power Fairs have a local fair on Sunday April 27th at Sandon Hall, Sandon, Stafford ST18 0DL (Please use the entrance opposite the Dog and Doublet Inn). Open at 11am. Last entry to the fair will be 3.30pm. Admission £4.00 (card preferred, but cash welcome). You can also buy ADVANCE TICKETS ON LINE via Sandon Hall’s website. Don’t forget to bring cash for the plant stands.
Also at Sandon and also on Sunday April 27th from 2 – 4pm is the Sandon Church Bluebell Walk. “In late April, Sandon Woods is filled with our native British Bluebells. Get some fresh air and join us for one of our famous seasonal walks. Our walk will start at the church and cover around miles*. Waterproof walking boots recommended! Back to the church for tea and cake. £5 per person and no need to book in advance – just turn up on the day.” *Probably about 2 miles is our guesstimate.
Quite a few gardens are opening for NGS this month, although none right on the doorstep. If you don’t mind travelling a few miles though there are plenty to choose from –
Saturday & Sunday April 5 & 6 Upper Farm Garden Rushton, Telford TF6 5AG
Saturday April 12 Cherry Tree Arboretum Cherry Tree Lane, Woore CW3 9SR
Wednesday April 16 Goldstone Hall Gardens Goldstone, Market Drayton TF9 2NA
Sunday April 20 John’s Garden at Ashwood Nurseries, Ashwood Lower Lane, Ashwood Nr Kingswinford DY6 0AE
Sunday April 27 Westwood House Oldbury, Bridgnorth WV16 5LP
Wednesday April 30 Hundred House Hotel Bridgnorth Road, Norton, Telford TF11 9EE
Stone Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society 