The Fallen

By Widget Finn

More than one in five native wildflower species in the British Isles is considered nationally threatened, with every county losing on average one species each year. Facts like these come as no surprise to members of the NCCPG, but the general public are generally unaware of the threats to our national plant heritage. So it was heartening to see that one of the entrants in the Conceptual Garden section at RHS Hampton Court aimed to publicise the fact that many of our wildflower species have become extinct, and others are likely to be lost to future generations.

The Fallen represents a cemetery for plants that are now extinct within the British Isles, and each headstone bears the name of a lost species. The symmetrical layout, created with Portland headstones, is punctuated by streams of wild meadow planting and strips of lush green turf. Sim Flemons, who designed the garden with John Warland, says 'We wanted to create a tranquil and reflective atmosphere to encourage the viewer to contemplate the species lost so far and to ponder the fate of those that are on the brink.'

The Fallen deservedly won a gold medal, responding to the brief that 'the best garden design challenges perceptions and stimulates the imagination.' And, hopefully, conveys its message in a vivid and memorable way.

Desperately Seeking Sheila

BY SARAH COOK

Following my piece in the spring newsletter chronicling the frustrations of trying to ensure that acquisitions in my collection of Tall Bearded Irises bred by Sir Cedric Morris are correctly named, I have had some of my problems solved by Tony
Venison. He has found an article in the 1954 British Iris Society Yearbook which describes a commercial stand by a nursery at the June RHS show at Vincent Square.
“Toynbee's Nurseries, on a small stand, put a number of Sir Cedric Morris's introductions, of which “CROFTWAY,” apricot-orange, was the high spot. Here also, was the yellow plicata BENTON LUCIUS, BENTON SHEILA, in peach and orange-pink, and BENTON LORNA, in cream and red-purple.”

So it seems the Iris Benton Susan I had from a member of the Kent Iris group is almost certainly correctly named (and all the plants I have named Benton Sheila are also Susan).

Now I would like to find “Benton Sheila” in peach and orange pink!

Ken Harbutt

A TRIBUTE BY SUE WOOSTER

I was sad to hear that Ken Harbutt of Rougham Hall Nurseries died on 29 July. To everyone who knew Ken, and to those who came across him in the world of horticulture and garden plants, his passing will be a huge loss.

Ken held National Collections of both Delphiniums and Ribes (gooseberries), which are both sited at the nursery at Rougham. A few years ago, as a student at Otley College, I worked for the Harbutt family where I learnt so much from Ken and his wife
Audrey: how to take Irishman's cuttings of Delphiniums out in the field and grow them on, what to do to cut flowers to prepare them for all the wonderful displays they staged at the RHS shows, and in particular, as far as Ken was concerned, that regular tea breaks and a roll up were a crucial part of the nursery worker's day.
More recently it was always good to see Ken at the NCCPG plant sales and catch up on how he, Audrey and their family were getting on. He was fantastic company to all the exhibitors at Hampton Court last year (and very willing tea boy!) and this year a cheer went up when he arrived at the Plant Heritage marquee to stage his
Delphinium display.

Ken was a lovely man, with a great sense of humour and always willing to share his vast knowledge of plants and life. I am sure all friends and NCCPG members will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy and sincere best wishes to all the Harbutt family.

Visit to Natalie Finch's Garden

BY BRIAN THURLOW

The small but select party of NCCPG members visiting this East Bergholt garden on Saturday 16 June was in for a treat.

Although Natalie is known for her expertise in roses there was so much more to see. She explained to us that she had single-handedly developed her one acre garden over the last 30 years and very impressive it was.

Setting out from the house our attention was firstly drawn to a Dracunculus vulgaris in full flower with its almost black spadix protruding from the maroon/purple spathe. Rather like Arisaemas, they have a fascinating (some think sinister) quality that extends to the curiously-blotched stems. Further on we were shown the bog gardens bursting with an array of moisture loving plants. Although Natalie had used a proper membrane in one bed the same effect was equally successful in another where compost bags (suitably pierced) had been used as a liner. Ligularias, hostas, cimicifugas, astilbes, Hydrangea quercifolia and one of my favourites the chestnut-leaved Rodgersia aesculifolia all vied for our attention. Also in abundance was Galega which we were told needed to be kept in serious check.

Looking beyond the bog garden our eyes were drawn to a good sized specimen of Elaeagnus commutata argentii. The silver-white leaves illuminated by the sun and against a very ominous black sky created a magical, almost theatrical effect. This shrub is an American native commonly known as Wolf Willow over there but often sold over here as E. quicksilver.

Beyond an open screen of cleverly pruned golden Hedera another great area came into view surrounded at the boundary by mature trees festooned with white ramblers such as Rambling Rector and Kifsgate. Specimen trees planted in the lawn included the Kentucky coffee tree, Gymnocladus dioica with large oval leaves that turn to bright yellow in the autumn. To the right of this area we saw what must be one of the biggest and oldest mulberry trees for miles, its long limbs prostrate and growing in all directions. Another tree worthy of a mention was a very attractive cornus which was in full flower with its creamy-white bracts. There was some discussion on the day as to which variety it was and I'm told it has since been identified as macrophylla.

Roses, of course, abound throughout the garden and especially on a large pergola where several varieties mingle including Madam Alfred Carrier, that well scented repeat-flowerer. Growing nearby was Rosa foliolosa that originated from a cutting from Jenny Robinson's Boxford garden. First catalogued in 1880 in America it was a rose I hadn't encountered but having looked it up it is certainly worth growing with its single rich pink flowers. Natalie generously distributed cuttings and assured us it was very easily propagated.

The day of our visit was a showery one but we were, thankfully, able to take refuge in Natalie's dining room for refreshments when it got too wet for comfort in the garden. All in all an enjoyable and most informative afternoon in the company of a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable plantswoman.

Plant Sale and Propagation

BY ROBERT SHEPPERSON, PROPAGATION OFFICER

This year saw our first Spring Plant Sale at Helmingham on 31 May. After deciding last autumn that a change in venue from Euston would be desirable in order to maintain the popularity of our plant sales, Suffolk Group committee were unanimous in opting for Helmingham as an alternative venue.

We have enjoyed excellent autumn sales there and moving to the spring allows visitors to purchase a different range of plants and to see Lady Tollemache’s superb walled gardens at a different time of year. During my very brief perusal I saw peonies, oriental poppies and herbaceous Clematis Hendersonii as notable stars amongst a wealth of beautifully maintained perennials. I would add much more detail but my period of admiration for these impressive borders was sharply truncated by the same rain which all day had threatened to ruin the sale.

We set up under brooding skies, only too well aware of the ghastly weather forecast for the day. As things transpired we narrowly avoided the very worst of the rain, nevertheless it was a grey and chill morning followed by an increasingly wet afternoon. Despite this we attracted a good sized crowd of over one thousand and
enjoyed surprisingly good sales taking £840 at the Suffolk Group plant stall. This figure was particularly gratifying given the woeful lack of flowers on our sales plants; a disturbing repeat of the situation of last autumn. Then I was forced to admit that the fault was mine, but this time I was relieved to be able to blame the
weather.

Exceptional warmth and sunshine throughout March and April followed by an unusually dull and wet May played havoc with flowering times. The bearded iris in particular were either too early, too late or failed to flower at all. Fortunately one precious specimen each of ‘Boxford Empress’ and ‘Carnival Time’ were in flower providing display plants good enough to sell the many others which failed to deliver.

Plenty of good plants came to our stall from members. Of particular note were a supurb crop of Dactylorhiza Orchids from Rosemary Wilson, and I was personally especially pleased to raise and sell several Cytisus ‘Luna’: An excellent variety which is unaccountably rare in cultivation. In contrast, why didn’t my Papaver ‘Pink Coral’ flower? I might try threatening them with the compost heap if they don’t produce next year - as with almost a thousand pots lined up on the plot we have no room for passengers.

Our spring propagation session on 21 March was the best attended for some time. So much work was accomplished in one afternoon that I was left with but a few hours extra work to do before enough stock was produced. This year, of course, was also notable for being the first in which we avoided any water shortage crisis, thanks to
the timely installation of new water tanks supplied by Suffolk Group. I was also able to reinstall the split tank from last year by setting it upright into a pit deep enough to allow the container to fit under the shed guttering.
Restoration of the shed roof to its former glory so substantially increased run-off into these mighty receptacles that all 1,100 gallons of capacity were filled by the end of January.

“Hah!” said I triumphantly as I gleefully removed the downpipe from the last brimful container, “Now I laugh in the face of drought!”

Hmmm, I wonder if I will ever get to enjoy that particular laugh?

Life Under Canvas

REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL COLLECTIONS CO-ORDINATOR

CHRISTINE MOLE

For the plant sale at Helmingham Hall in May we acquired some
new gazebos in case of a rainy day and decided to use one for
displays from collection holders. So the second half of May turned
out to be quite a hectic time organising and picking up all the plant
material which the collection holders had promised me for exhibits.
Even though rain was forecast we managed to have a record
number of people attend, but I must say I was disappointed that
very few people visited the Collection Gazebo. We had all made a
huge effort to put on an interesting display about the collections, so
I am hoping to see all you NCCPG members at future plant sales.
I know the saying “Less is more” but I say “We need to be seen to
be known”, so when we were given the opportunity this year to
have a stand at the Suffolk Show we went for it!

All the plants (except the Equisetums as they are so fragile) and
exhibition material I had collected for the plant sale were
transported to the showground, with the NCCPG gazebo positioned
at the entrance to the floral marquee.

We had rhizomes of Sarah Cook's iris 'The Black Douglas' (rare -
with only one listing in the plantfinder) and some large pots of
hostas from Robin Milton to sell for our funds which helped create
an interest in our stand. I would like to thank all those who
contributed information or plant material for both these events.
The committee were delighted that five of our Collection Holders
exhibited at Hampton Court Flower Show; four in the Heritage
Marquee, with the Miltons from Mickfield Hostas having a stand
near Stud Gate.

Josephine Mitson and I went along to help Sue Wooster with her
campanulas as we'd done last year. Everything in the marquee was
to a very high standard, so it was a shame that despite all the efforts
of Jo Jones at head office, BBC Gardeners World could not be
persuaded to make a feature of it.

The Suffolk collections all did themselves proud. Mickfield Hostas
had an excellent exhibit (trade stands are not judged for medals).
The results from the marquee were:

Delphinium: Ken Harbutt, Rougham Hall Nurseries - Bronze
Dianthus (Malmaison): Jim Marshall, Marshalls' Malmaisons -
Silver
Hibiscus syriacus (cvs): Notcutts - Silver Gilt
Campanula (Alpine) Sue Wooster - Gold and best exhibit in the
Heritage Marquee

Congratulations to all and a special one for Sue!

Success at Hampton Court for Suffolk National Collections and Nurseries

 All four National Collections from Suffolk won medals at this year's Hampton Court Flower Show.  Sue Wooster was awarded a Gold for her collection of Campanulas, Notcutts won Silver Gilt for its Hibiscus,  Jim Marshall's Malmaison Carnations won a Silver Medal and Rougham Nursery was awarded a Bronze for its Delphinium Collection.

In the Floral Marquee Harvey's Garden Plants won a silver-gilt.

Many congratulations to everyone involved.

Successful Plant Sale at Helmingham Hall

LETTER FROM SUFFOLK GROUP
CHAIRMAN MAGGIE THORPE

You will all be delighted to hear that our Plant Sale held for the
first time at Helmingham Hall in the spring brought over a
thousand visitors despite the wet weather. Visitors were thrilled
with the paeony and iris borders in Helmingham's magnificent
gardens, and nurseries had a really busy day.

Five new members were enrolled while the Children's Corner
contained a splendid display of Boxford School's gardening efforts
with pots of produce made from their garden which visitors were
able to buy. Christine Mole, our Collections Co-ordinator, decorated
one gazebo with plants and posters from several Collection Holders
including Anthony Pigott's equisetum, one of which was proudly
displaying a 'cone' for the first time. All in all, a very successful
day, not just boosting our funds, but promoting the work of our
Association.

Anne Tweddle grew unusual vegetables which all sold well and
Robert Shepperson's stand brought in an amazing £800.
Congratulations to both.

Following Helmingham we were invited to set up a stand at The
Suffolk Show and I want to thank the members who volunteered to
man the stand for the two days which created much interest in all
our activities and, in particular, brought in offers of Benton irises to
add to Sarah Cook's ever-growing collection.

Our thanks to Ann Bryson and Anne Tweddle for assembling and
producing the 2007 Three Counties Nurseries Leaflet which was
much appreciated when given out free at our plant sales and The
Suffolk Show.

We look forward to our first visit to Kentwell Hall in Long Melford
for the Autumn Plant Sale, a completely new venue for us, on
Sunday 16 September. There is so much to see and do there which
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we hope will encourage people to stay longer, leaving their plants in
the capable hands of Pauline Byford and her team of Plant Creche
helpers.

Our AGM this year will be held in the evening of Monday 26
November at Stoke Priory, Stoke-by-Nayland by kind invitation of
Mr and Mrs Engleheart. To help catering and seating
arrangements, please let me know by the end of October if you
intend to come.

Our NCCPG National Office is relocating to Losely Park on 20
August. Members of Council gave Genevieve Melbourne Webb, our
Executive Officer, a vote of thanks for all the difficulties she has
experienced in finding suitable accommodation. £40,000 has been
granted by various charitable trusts to assist with this move. A new
telephone number will be available by then but please let me know
if you have difficulty contacting the office.

Increasing membership is still vital for our future. Please do all you
can to encourage friends to join, even those who are not interested
in coming to many of our events. By contributing they will be
helping in our conservation work.

Other ways of helping our society: please remember that a gift in
your will for the NCCPG can be exempt from inheritance tax.
Details of will-giving can be found on www.nccpg.com.
Alternatively, families can ask for donations instead of flowers at
funerals.

Finally, do let me have any ideas for future lectures or visits you
would like us to organise or if you feel your garden might be a
suitable venue for a plant swap or social event. You can email me at
smece@aol.com or telephone 01787 211346.

NCCPG Suffolk Group at The Suffolk Show

The Suffolk Group of the NCCPG will be present at The Suffolk Show on 30th and 31st May in a gazebo near the entrance to the large Flower Marquee. If you are not already a member, we look forward to meeting you and discussing what YOU can do to help us find and propagate plants in danger of disappearing from our gardens. You may well have the very plant we are searching for.
Maggie Thorpe, Chairman

Suffolk Goes to Hampton Court Flower Show

SUFFOLK GOES TO HAMPTON COURT

Five National Plant Collections from Suffolk supported by the NCCPG (National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens) will be on display at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show from 3-8 July. The Suffolk collections range from the ever-popular delphinium to hostas in 'forty shades of green.' Collection holders include nurserymen, private individuals and a commercial grower. One has been a grower for nearly half a century, others have come recently to their horticultural passion. But they can all claim a collection of plants which are truly grown in Suffolk.

The National Plant Collections:-

Delphiniums from Rougham Nursery where Ken Harbutt has held the National Collection for fifteen years and has grown them in his nursery since 1960. His best-selling delphinium is his own introduction, the blue David Mannion.

Malmaison Carnations, the collection was awarded National Collection status in the 1980's and is held by Jim Marshall, gardens advisor to the National Trust for twenty-five years. The original carnation, Souvenir de la Malmaison, dates back to 1857 and its sport Princess of Wales is currently the most popular cultivar. Young plants from Jim's collection will be available for sale at Hampton Court.

Picture: Dianthus 'Princess of Wales'

Campanulas. Sue Wooster achieved National Collection status in September 2005, and won a silver-gilt medal at Hampton Court in 2006. She claims to be 'obsessed' with her alpine gems and will be launching a new pink campanula at Hampton Court this year.

Hostas. From their first introduction to hostas in 1976 Yvonne and Robin Milton's collection has grown to 1500 species and cultivars Having recently been awarded National Collection status the Miltons are planning a new display garden for their collection at Mickfield Hostas.

Hosta 'Leola Fraim'

Hosta 'Yakushima Mizu'

Hibiscus syriacus. The collection is held by Notcutts Nurseries, who have been growing hibiscus for over 100 years, and introduced the variety 'Woodbridge' in 1928 which is still popular today. The collection covers over 120 varieties of hardy Hibiscus, some of which are no longer in commercial production.

Hibiscus syriacus 'Lavender Chiffon'

PRESS CONTACT for images and further information

SARAH COOK Tel 01473 822400 sarah@malmaisons.plus.com

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