Devon Cuttings
GARDENERS CUTTINGS
a look at news, events and happenings in Devon
University of Exeter introduces garden tours for groups
The University of Exeter is offering seasonal garden tours for groups of all sizes
Set within 300 acres of botanical gardens, the University of Exeter is offering green fingered fans a unique gardening experience from September onwards, introducing seasonal garden tours for groups of all sizes, led by one of the University’s expert gardeners.
Established in the 1860s by the Veitch family,
the gardens are a veritable feast of trees, shrubs and plants from across the globe, with Streatham Campus being one of the most beautiful in the country with lakes, parkland, woodland and gardens interspersed with rare species of all varieties.
Sarah Snow, Head of Event Exeter confirmed, “With so much history and rich culture, we are delighted to be offering groups the opportunity to experience 300 acres of botanical gardens and our award winning accommodation offered right in the heart of this great city.”
Groups enjoying the garden tours can look forward to 1.5 hours of horticultural indulgence before enjoying refreshments at the Victorian Italianate Reed Hall.
www.exeter.ac.uk/eventexeter/garden-tours.php.
Lottery grant to help restoration plans A Grade I listed building in Devon is to be repaired and restored after being awarded a grant of just under £1.75m from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Walronds, a 17th century town house in Fore Street, Cullompton, had been on English Heritage’s At Risk register. The grant would fund a project which would enable its full restoration, English Heritage said. The ground floor and gardens were also to be made available for wider community use, it added. Nerys Watts, of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “Over 400 years The Walronds has been at the heart of the town.” Local volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure its survival, and now with support from the fund, the trust will be able to restore it and open it up for use by the community.”
Bicton College aims to offer top flight skills
Bicton College in East Budleigh, offers a range of part time courses from practical gardening to garden design, of different levels and lengths, with something to suit everyone. Floral Design encourages you into creative floristry exploring different trends, materials and techniques.
If you want to take floristry more seriously or are considering it as a job or career the National Certificate may be the course for you; whether you are a school leaver or just looking for a change in career or as natural progression from basic floristry skills.
‘Gardening for All’ sessions are practical workshops aimed at anyone interested in growing and caring for plants or creating garden structures. The RHS Level 2 is now split into theory and practical sessions, providing more opportunities for improving experience. The RHS Advanced Certificate (Level 3) is for the professional horticulturist or keen amateur gardener with a broader interest in horticulture.
Garden Design courses at Level 2 and 3 are suitable for the amateur wishing to redesign their plot, or the professional wishing to achieve a qualification.
www.bicton.ac.uk or contact Bicton College on 01395 562347. Country Gardener
Kingston Black - an important English hard-cider apple variety, producing a bittersharp juice
3 Time to think - cider apples
Cider apples are now very much in vogue with gardeners. Now, says Adam Powell of Adams Apples from Devon, is the time to be giving them some thought with the idea of getting them ordered now and planted in the winter.
Adam’s Apples are a family run nursery located in Honiton, running a wholesale/mail order nursery specialising in apple trees and blueberries. The demand he says for cider trees is ‘very strong at the moment’ and the nursery he runs with his wife Kim supply 20 varieties of cider apple to smallholders, farms, community allotment holders and the growing number of cider apple growing gardeners. The ideal plan is he says to order in the autumn with planting carried out ideally in January.
What of varieties? Black Dabinet, Kingston Black and Foxwell are the top varieties but the list of bittersweet, sharp and sweet cider apples on their list is impressive. Adams Apples are not a garden centre but customers can visit by arrangement and may wish to collect orders and therefore save carriage charges. “We try hard to grow those varieties that are disease resistant, crop easily, and taste good,” says Adam.
01404 841166
www.talatonplants.co.uk
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