The January Garden

Many small bulbs and corms are getting ready to burst onto the scene. Snowdrops, Aconites, Ipheion, and Chicnodoxa.

The Snowdrops are the best known with their pendant pristine white flowers.

GALANTHUS (Snowdrop) nivalis.
These charming little bulbs are very accommodating and will grow almost anywhere. Their favoured place is dappled shade and damp soil. They don’t enjoy hot dry places. Always plant them in ‘In the green’.
‘In the green’ means bulbs that have flowered but still have green leaves. Small dried bulbs often sold in garden centres rarely survive, if they do, flowering is usually poor.
Most gardening magazines will have ‘In the green’ bulbs for sale in February/March/April. Your order will come by post.
Plant them as soon as you can to stop them drying out. This method is recommended and highly reliable. Plant 3mm deep in groups of 3 or 4 bulbs about 4 inches apart.

This month can be dark and grey, why not invest in a few plants that ‘Strut their stuff’ now."

CORNUS ‘Midwinter Fire’
Small deciduous shrub grows to 1 metre tall; buttercup yellow leaves in the autumn, when fallen the stems turn bright yellow through to pink, orange and red. This lasts until new leaves appear.
Prune the thickest stems down to 15cm from the base every 3 years, and cut off any suckers that might shoot up.

SARCOCOCCA ‘Humilis’ (Christmas Box)
Small evergreen shrub with shiny leathery mid green leaves. Covered in small pinkish/white and very highly scented flowers. Flowers from January to March. Grows to 1metre tall.
Plant near the house or next to a path to take advantage of the strong scent.
Cut a few sprigs and bring them into the house, you will not be disappointed.

CLEMATIS CIRRHOSA ‘Freckles’
Evergreen ferny leafed climber with creamy/pink flowers followed by attractive seed heads. Spreads 5ft by 8ft high.
Can be reduced in late spring or summer by trimming back.
All the above plants can be grown in good garden soil. If you have heavy clay dig over the planting area three times the size of the pot holding the plant, incorporate one bucket of compost to lighten the soil. Keep all newly planted plants well watered in hot summer weather, damp not saturated.

If you have any gardening problems or questions:
Contact The Secretary for more information.

 

The Farringdon Horticultural Society AGM

Farringdon Horticultural Society held their rescheduled Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 11th January at 7pm in the Church

For many years the Society was Chaired by Phyll Watts but her death last year, led to the rescheduling of the AGM and a chance for the Committee to take a look at whether there was enough support  to continue the Society into the future.

FHS President, Tim Charrington, took the Chair and proposed a toast to The Late Phyllis Watts for all her efforts to keep the FHS afloat particularly though the last couple of years when organising any event was something of a lottery.

Following the acceptance of the Financial Report which showed a fair return, thanks to The Spring Show at the end of April which, despite the low exhibition numbers the displays was well supported by the village and the Open Gardens Day, held on 3rd June was also well supported and £600 was donated to Alton Community Care.

Visits to nearby gardens were also well supported but fewer seemed interested in the Annual trip to Wisley RHS gardens this year.

So where do we go from here, it was agreed that the Farringdon Horticultural Society should continue as despite the low membership events and open days were well supported but the point was made that there should be provision for help from non-members to organise and set up exhibitions and Open Days which were generally well supported.

Efforts should be made to boost income and cut down on unnecessary expenses. The FHS web site had been closed down this year, saving over £160 and information was now posted on, the Farringdon Biz Village Web site, the Village What's App group and the Farringdon.net email system.

It was proposed the Club should continue under the current Committee although Chrys Browne did point out that she was happy to continue but she was likely to be leaving the village later in the year.

The meeting closed soon after 8pm and members and visitors made their way home.

Contact the secretary for more information

 

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