Gardener’s Cuttings Planning early for Taunton Flower Show


A new ‘Master Gardener’ class will be an innovation at Taunton Flower Show this summer. An individual gardener can exhibit a range of flowers, fruit and vegetables to demonstrate all-round gardening ability. Presentation is important and the displays can be decorated for effect. A new Les Pring Memorial Cup is on offer for the winner of this prestigious class.


Taunton Flower Show: new classes to enhance the more spectacular displays in the marquee


The class is part of Taunton Flower Show’s newly published competitive classes schedule for 2011. Held in the marquee, there are more than 250 classes covering flowers, fruit, vegetables, floral art, homecrafts, wine and photography. There is also a range of classes for young people under 17. The classes are open to all and more than £4,000 in prize money and 50 cups and trophies are on offer.


This year sees a number of innovations, classes have been revamped, and a new vegetable championship class for a collection of seven kinds of vegetables is to be exhibited. The aim is to enhance the more spectacular displays in the marquee.


For 2011, the show has overhauled the dahlia classes and is now able to offer the National Dahlia Society’s Silver Medal to the best exhibit in the new classes.


In the other divisions, the photography classes have been reviewed and there is now a class for a set of three photographs on the theme of ‘doorways’ all to be shown in one mount.


Show schedules with full details of the classes and how to enter are available now from the show website www.tauntonflowershow.co.uk or can be ordered by post by ringing Ian Coleby on 01823 333617.


Springtime at Hestercombe


From half term quizzes and trails to garden workshops, from a fun road race to demonstrations at the restored watermill, it’s a busy time at Hestercombe Gardens.


Full agenda for Hestercombe in the spring


The half term spring quizzes and trails are available from 19th to 27th February, and are free after paying for admission to the gardens. Demonstrations of the various pieces of machinery in the watermill’s Mill Room are also free, on Tuesday 22nd February and Sunday 13th March, both days from 10am until 3pm, showing how apple crushing and flour grinding took place, along with information about life on the estate through the ages.


Formal Gardens Supervisor Claire Reid will share her expertise and knowledge in two


workshops: one on rose pruning on Wednesday 23rd February and one on seed sowing and saving, on Wednesday 9th March. Both workshops run from 9am until 1pm and cost £15 including garden admission.


Tom Mayberry, of Somerset County Council’s Heritage and Library Service, is to give this year’s Bampfylde Memorial Lecture on the remarkable story of the rise of the Portman family from relatively humble beginnings to one of the great landowning families of England – and owners of Hestercombe. ‘From Somerset to Portman Square’ is on Friday 25th February at 7.30pm, tickets £8. A pre-lecture supper is also available, combined ticket £20.


New horticultural courses at East Lambrook Manor Gardens


Leading Somerset horticulturalist John Horsey has started to run new courses at East Lambrook Manor Gardens, the iconic cottage garden created in the 1950s by celebrated plantswoman and gardening writer, the late Margery Fish. His move comes within three months of Yeovil College abandoning its part-time horticultural courses due to the withdrawal of Government funding. The long term courses started in January but are designed for anyone to join throughout the spring.


Says Horsey, “I could not let my past students down. I knew there was a demand out there for horticultural courses, but nobody could afford the fees once all Government backing for adult education had been withdrawn.”


Mike and Gail Werkmeister, who bought the famous gardens in 2008, are behind the courses, which are based in the Malthouse at East Lambrook but also make full use of the gardens and nursery.


The courses, which will lead to the East Lambrook Diploma in


Getting their hands dirty - East Lambrook Manor students


Horticulture, are aimed at those wanting to learn more about gardens, plants and how to look after them and are for both complete beginners and those with some experience. John also hopes to run short courses on topics such as pests and diseases and pruning. Students also get free access to the gardens and a discount off plants in the nursery.


Horsey, whose love of teaching horticulture followed several years as a head gardener before running his own alpine nursery, says, “Just contact me via East Lambrook Manor Gardens for details.”


Country Gardener 5


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