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3 March, 2022 - Bamboos
3 Mar 2022 - Helen Chen: Bamboos. Helen Chen has loved bamboos for over 20 years She now has a small nursery, Japonica Plants, specialising in bamboo and other east Asian plants. Her talk covers how bamboos grow, runners and clumpers, growing in containers, and a look at numerous species. Talk via...
17 February, 2022 - Succession Planting
Carolyn Foster: Succession Planting Botanist, horticulturalist, and hands-on gardener,Carolyn is a leading light of the gardening scene in East Berks. Here she talks about how to get the most out of your borders, with colour and interest from one season to the next. Snowdrops for sale Lecture at Caversham Heights Methodist Church Hall, 74 Highmoor Rd, Caversham RG4...
4 November, 2021 - The Secret Gardens of Yorkshire
Doug Stewar introduces some of Yorkshire’s finest but lesser-known gardens and their plants. Includes the Yorkshire Arboretum, Stillingfleet Lodge, and gems such as Rosemary Cottage, occasionally open for the NGS. A Zoom...
21 October, 2021 - Ornamental Grasses
Annie Godfrey, Daisy Roots: Ornamental Grasses At her nursery in Hertfordshire Annie grows perennials and grasses. Plantswoman, speaker, designer, and Chelsea gold medal winner, she will give us an experview of ornamental grasses, and winning combinations, for our gardens. Plants for Sale. Lecture at Caversham Heights Methodist Church 74 Highmoor Rd, Caversham...
7 October, 2021 - Tree Tales on ZOOM
Nancy Stevens: Tree Tales Nancy is a gardener and speaker in Glasgow, with wide horizons in plant life. She says: “Do you want to know about The Tree of a Hundred Horses? the plight of Big Mike the banana? what trees have got to do with cheese? or what trees featured in 2001, A Space Odyssey? Then this is the talk for you.” She delighted us with her last talk in autumn...
30 September, 2021 - Perennials for Late Summer Interest
Marina Christopher: Perennials for late summer interest Marina has been growing perennials and wildflowers commercially since 1984 (Phoenix Perennial Plants). She returns to Reading Gardeners to give another of her lovely ‘hands-on’ plant demonstrations, this time on late summer colour. Plants for Sale. Please note our new venue is Caversham Heights Methodist Church Hall 74 Highmoor Rd, Caversham RG4...
2 April, 2020 - Annual General Meeting and Plants Sale
The AGM deals with the formal business of Reading Gardeners. Then we move on to the serious matter of our Plant Sale. Bring plants for other members to purchase, and find treasures from other people’s gardens. NB: 7.30 start. PLEASE NOTE - CHANGE OF DATE AND VENUE The Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 2nd April 2020 NOT 1st April Venue is Caversham Heights Methodist Church Hall, 74 Highmoor Rd, Reading RG4 7BG Meeting commences at at 7.30 pm not...
18 March, 2020 - Gardeners get busy!
Derry Watkins, who runs ‘Special Plants’ near Bath, looks at preparing the garden for the season ahead: staking perennials, spring pruning, and so much else. Derry is a popular speaker and her plants are indeed special. Plants for...
4 March, 2020 - Wisley’s Exotic Garden
Emma Allen project managed the creation and delivery of RHS Wisley’s new Exotic Garden. Responsible for the design, materials, layout, and plants, she tells us about the creative process and how it is evolving. Emma also manages Wisley’s Glasshouse, Rock Garden, alpines, mixed borders, and rose garden,...
19 February, 2020 - The hidden world of garden bees
Author and TV personality (‘It’s Not Easy Being Green’) Brigit Strawride’s talk will focus on the relationships between plants and pollinators, and the importance of creating gardens where both can flourish. Plants and books for sale...
5 February, 2020 - A stroll through the Japanese garden
Professional horticulturalist Sarah Dixon regularly visits the gardens of Japan, and communicates her enthusiasm for the different gardening styles found there. This follows on from her inspiring short talk at last season’s Members’ Evening. Snowdrops for...
22 January, 2020 - My Lady’s Garden
Garden historian and author Kate Felus will take us on an illustrated journey through 300 years of great gardens created for grand ladies, telling the tales of the women for whom these designs were laid out, from the 1720s to the present day. Some of the gardens are famous, while others you may not have heard of, from Northern castles to Thames-side...
8 January, 2020 - Plant hunting in Southern England
Jon Evans will explore the flora of the chalk and limestone hills in Southern England, and give an impression of the different habitats there, featuring many different orchids and other wildflowers. Illustrated with Jon’s superb photos. A popular speaker, visiting us for the 4th...
4 December, 2019 - Christmas Social
Join us for a seasonal celebration. Bring some food to share, and enjoy the company of fellow garden-lovers. Photo competition winner will be announced. There might be a quiz...
27 November, 2019 - Geoff Hodge: Garden Q&A
Geoff is a freelance gardening and horticultural writer, author, editor and broadcaster. He says: ‘My aim is to help gardeners get the best from their plants and garden and to answer questions, solve problems and give help, hints, tips and advice.’ He gave us a witty and knowledgeable talk on houseplants in Nov...
13 November, 2019 - Andrew Mikolajski: Gardens of the USA
Horticultural consultant, speaker, writer, RHS judge. Andrew is a gardening author and lecturer, and formerly taught garden design at Warwickshire College. He will look at the history of gardening in the US, including some contemporary gardens by Martha Schwarz and Isabelle Greene, and a Hollywood...
30 October, 2019 - Ken Thompson: Seeds: from science to results
Ken writes and lectures, teaches at Kew, is a Daily Telegraph columnist, and has written 7 gardening/science books, most recently (2018) ‘Darwin’s Most Wonderful Plants’ (and my favourite gardening book, ‘An Ear to the Ground’). In 2016 he was awarded the RHS Veitch Memorial Medal. He last spoke to us in 2012. Former head of horticulture at Sheffield University. NOTE THIS LECTURE IS TO BE HELD AT ST PETER'S CHURCH...
16 October, 2019 - Matt Brierley: The Secret Life of Trees
Wildlife presenter, cameraman and ecologist Matt explains how his journey into the world of trees, sparked by the oak, has taught him to see trees like never before. Their ecosystems are far more complex than we might...
2 October, 2019 - Marina Christopher: Perennials for autumn and winter interest
Marina has been growing perennials and wildflowers commercially since 1984 (Phoenix Perennial Plants), and runs courses and workshops with rare enthusiasm and knowledge. This evening: Perennials that provide interest for autumn and winter with structure, seedheads and skeletons. Plants for...
6 March, 2019 - Topical Tips and New Ideas in Gardening
The ever-popular Ray Broughton, formerly of Sparsholt College, takes us through some of the new developments in horticulture and how we can use them at...
20 February, 2019 - Buckingham Palace Gardens
Garden manager of several royal gardens, Mark Lane will talk about the trees, gardens and wildlife at Buckingham Palace, and managing how the gardens are...
6 February, 2019 - Keith Wiley and Wildside
Wildside takes its inspiration from natural landscapes. Before Wildside Keith Wiley was head gardener of the Garden House in Devon for 25 years. Jon Evans will bring us a third beautifully illustrated...
23 January, 2019 - May the Weather be with You
Weatherman and Gardener's Question Time chair Peter Gibbs takes a look at how British weather, climate and micro-climate influences the way we...
9 January, 2019 - Members Evening
A popular and entertaining occasional evening where members give short talks on gardening related matters dear to them. Our President Michael Keith-Lucas, who is leaving the area, will give his farewell...
12 December, 2018 - Christmas Social
An informal get-together for members and partners, with food and drinks and...
28 November, 2018 - What Do I Do With This Space? Garden Ideas From Around The World
TV gardener and topiarist Darren Lerigo is currently writing a book on honeybees. His talk looks at the fascinating ways people garden around the world, and asks what ideas we can steal for our own patch at...
14 November, 2018 - Winter in Bloom
Winter doesn't need to be dull and boring in your garden, Samantha Hopes aims to highlight a whole range of winter flowering shrubs, herbaceous plants and bulbs to tempt you out into your garden in the winter months! Plants for...
31 October, 2018 - Roses for Different Parts of the Garden
Alan Goold is a noted speaker and specialist on roses. He runs Henry Street Garden Centre, which many of us...
17 October, 2018 - Succulent Plant Research at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Continuing a scientific strand in our talks, Dr Olwen Grace will talk about Kew’s exciting research into succulents. How did they evolve to survive such harsh conditions? Apart from their ornamental value, they have many other potential uses, some surprising. Kew’s living succulents collection is...
3 October, 2018 - The Versatile World of Salvias
Leila Jackson grows, shows, and speaks about salvias. Leila also holds the national collection of abutilons. A popular and recommended speaker, who will bring plants for...
18 April, 2018 - AGM and Plant Sale
The AGM looks forward to the next year, and reviews how we’re doing. Followed by our popular plant sale. Bring plants for other members to purchase, and find treasures from other people’s gardens. Please Note it is a 7.30 start not 7.45...
11 April, 2018 - Choice Plants for Early Season Interest
Paul Green runs GreensLeaves nursery in Newent, Glos, and is often to be seen at Rare Plant Fairs. He will give a practical demonstration of using real plants – lots of them – to make the most of our gardens at this time of year. He will have Plants for...
21 March, 2018 - Scented Plants throughout the Year
Clematis specialist Marcus is often seen at plant fairs. A popular speaker, he brings us the delights of scented plants and how to make the best use of them. PLANTS FOR...
14 March, 2018 - The Shady Garden
Alan Edmondson will discuss the wide range of plants that thrive in shade, demonstrating this with photographs of his own garden in Lymington in the New Forest, as it has been developed over the last five...
28 February, 2018 - Topical Tips and New Ideas
Many of us will have heard Ray Broughton speak before. He’s always entertaining and full of practical ideas for gardeners from his experience as a lecturer at Sparsholt College, one of England’s foremost horticultural establishments. Plants for...
14 February, 2018 - Stourhead
Alan Power is head gardener at the National Trust’s Stourhead and will speak of its history, management, and conservation. He will also tell us about his time at Hidcote and Mount Stewart (N.Ireland), and also touch on some of his experiences as a gardener on TV and radio. Plants for...
31 January, 2018 - Cultivating Positive Crop Health
Iain Tolhurst will describe a farmer’s experience working with bio-diversity to promote healthy pest-free crops. Iain’s farm near Mapledurham is internationally recognised for its visionary approach to sustainable methods and biodiversity. It is an extraordinary place to see. He is much in demand as a writer, speaker, and...
17 January, 2018 - Blackthorn Nursery
Blackthorn Nursery in Hampshire was transformed into a garden when the owners retired. It features alpines and other plants collected over 30 years which were once the nursery’s stock in trade. Jon Evans is closely involved with the Farnham Alpine Society. He will show us some of the garden’s beautiful and unusual plants using his own beautiful...
13 December, 2017 - Christmas Social
Christmas Social Come and be part of our Christmas social evening. Bring some food to share, enjoy drinks and light entertainment, and relax in congenial company. 7.30...
29 November, 2017 - House Plants
Geoff Hodge a Popular speaker on all topics horticultural, will show us how to make the most of house plants. He says: “My aim is to help gardeners get the best from their plants,” so bring your plant and gardening questions. He has plenty of hints, tips, and advice and will (we hope) solve our...
15 November, 2017 - Jerusalem Botanic Garden
Neil Miller is head gardener of the 125-acre gardens of Hever Castle. He has a long association with the ‘mind-blowing’ hidden treasure that is Jerusalem Botanic Garden, with its 10,000 species, operating in difficult circumstances. He shares his enthusiasm with...
1 November, 2017 - Soil Safari
Lois Philipps is a teacher and agricultural adviser, specializing in organic methods. A Fellow of the Institute of Soil Science, she will talk to us about the complex and teeming world which is the basis of all our gardens: the...
18 October, 2017 - Making and Keeping a Flower garden
Mat Rees is head gardener at Malverleys, an exceptional new garden in Hampshire recently featured on Gardener’s World. He trained with Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter, and at Malverleys has created something quite inspiring. Plants for...
4 October, 2017 - The Art of Creative Pruning
Jake Hobson looks at various pruning techniques around the world, and how they can inspire and be applied in gardens. He trained and worked in Japan. His company, Niwaki (Japanese for ‘sculpting trees’) runs topiary courses and imports Japanese garden tools and equipment. Books and tools for sale. Plants for Sale. ...
5 April, 2017 - AGM and Plant Sale
The AGM reviews how the club is doing and gives members the opportunity to pose questions to the Committee. It also looks forward to the forthcoming year. It is followed by our popular plant sale. Members are invited to donate plants for other members to find and purchase. Please note specially that the evening starts at 7.30 and not...
22 March, 2017 - Aromatica
Kim Hurst has been running The Cottage Herbery in Herefordshire for 40 years.. Using fresh and dried materials, her talk will cover a selection of aromatic plants and flowers that add perfume, scents and aromas to our gardens. Their uses in history and their uses today are a delight for the senses. The Cottage Herbery focuses on natural peat-free plants for healing and fragrance, and has won many awards, including gold medals at Chelsea. They can be found at farmers' markets, plant...
8 March, 2017 - From Captivity to a Castle
OUR VIP EVENING A feature of Reading Gardeners’ Winter Programmes has been the occasional addresses by eminent speakers from the world of horticulture. Over the years, at these V.I.P. evenings, we have hosted such gardening luminaries as Roy Lancaster, Sheila Dillon, Nigel Colborn, Alys Fowler and Chris Beardshaw. This evening's VIP speaker will be Tom Hart Dyke. Tom was on a plant hunting expedition in 2000 in the Colombian jungle when he was kidnapped. Not knowing if he...
22 February, 2017 - How to use Willow in the Garden
22 February 2017 Christine Brewster is well-known locally for her creative basket-making. For many years she has been making willow baskets, and much more, with a contemporary style. Her range includes plant supports and willow...
8 February, 2017 - Cae Hir, a Welsh Garden with a Dutch History
Julie & Stuart Akkerman - Cae Hir is an RHS partner garden, near Lampeter in Wales. Still run by the Akkerman family who set it up in 1983, it has been open to the public since 1989. Julie and Stuart will tell us about its origins and development into a beautiful and imaginative garden, drawing on different...
25 January, 2017 - Blackthorn Nursery in Spring
Jon Evans - Blackthorn Nursery in Hampshire was transformed into a garden when the owners retired. It features alpines and other plants collected over 30 years which were once the nursery's stock in trade. Jon is closely involved with the Farnham Alpine Society. His illustrated talk will cover some of the beautiful and unusual plants still featured in the...
11 January, 2017 - Members’ Evening
Members' evenings have always been popular and very enjoyable but depend on members volunteering to give brief talks. Your talk can be illustrated if you like but the choice is...
14 December, 2016 - Christmas Social
Come and be part of our Christmas social evening. Bring some food and enjoy drinks and light entertainment in congenial company. Please note specially that the evening starts at 7.30 and not...
30 November, 2016 - Creating a bog garden for moist plants
Linda Smith runs Waterside Nursery in Sharnford, Leicestershire. Her talk with images will demonstrate how to construct an area specially designed to grow moisture loving plants, and how to select plants that will thrive wherever you may want them to grow. Chelsea Gold Medal winners 2011-15 for aquatic plants. PLANTS FOR...
23 November, 2016 - Photographic Competition 2016
GARDEN INSPIRATIONS - Photography display and competition- 2016 We would like again to invite members to share the inspiring moments of their summer outings or from their own gardens. The aim is to encourage members to record and share those special moments of: joy, happiness, tranquillity, amazement, humour etc The deadline for submission is 23rd November 2016 . Please send entries to Ray Norton at Pudding Lane Nursery, Reading Road, Arborfield, RG2 9HP or electronically at...
16 November, 2016 - I believe in the Western Cape
South Africa's western cape is a richly diverse area with a mediterranean climate, so many of its plants will grow in English gardens. But for many of them you will need to give them some encouragement: plenty of light and protection from the worst of the weather. Julian Sutton's detailed knowledge of these plants and his passion for them were obvious. He took us from Table Mountain east to Port Elizabeth, stopping to look at desirable plants in varied conditions. H...
2 November, 2016 - Bordering on Insanity
Former director of the Oxford Botanic Garden, Dr Timothy Walker talked about the all-year-round herbaceous border, illustrated mostly with photos from the border his wife created in their former home in Oxford. Deliberately provocative ("Everybody knows there are really only five kinds of snowdrop"), his talk was full of insights and good ideas for the big audience to take away; and as usual - this was his 6th talk to Reading Gardeners - he kept us amused with his witty...
19 October, 2016 - Between a Bog and a Hard Rock
Christina Shand with her husband David spoke to Reading Gardeners captivating her 50-strong audience with the story of her garden. In 20 years Christina has created a garden in Pembrokeshire, starting from wilderness. It was the story of the development and inspiration of Dyffryn Fernant Garden. Christina's garden is a personal response to the landscape under the Preseli hills, in which it sits. She told us of how she dealt with various inhospitable environments, some of her triumphs...
5 October, 2016 - Hamamelis (Witch Hazels)
Chris Lane owns and runs "The Witch Hazel Nursery" a wholesale nursery in Kent and is the owner of one of the three National Collection for these striking plants; so showy in February when not much else is at its peak. He also grows wisteria, flowering cherries, and much more, and is the author of the RHS guide to witch hazels. (www.witchhazelnursery.com) Chris provided us with an informative evening suggesting a large number of good cultivars which was a bit overwhelming. He introduced...