Whitwick & District U3A - Gardens Group

This group is for those with a general interest in all forms of gardens. The programme is varied including visits ranging from member's gardens to gardens of national significance.

Timing

Normally Thursday, approx Monthly, but not during the winter.

Programme for 2012

Many thanks for all the constructive suggestions that have coalesced into our exciting programme for 2012. Members who attended the planning meeting are asked to check the programme and inform Bis if there are any errors / additions. Bis will issue a monthly email reminder / update to garden group members (i.e. those who have attended an event during the previous year). New members are always welcome, this applies to all Whitwick U3A members. As if by magic most members seem to sort out car sharing with their friends, but if you could do with a lift email Bis in plenty of time and he will try to assist. At most events we invade the tea rooms at the garden for lunch or other refreshments. "
Email your attendance to Bis by the 1st of each month.

Thu Feb 9th - Snowdrop Walk
Due to the present weather conditions and its effect on the snowdrops, this has been postponed until 23rd Feb (see below), when we will join the SWANS group.

Thu Feb 23rd - Snowdrop Walk
The snowdrops at Snibston Country Park were glorious last year. Snowdrop walk through Snibston Country Park. For the hour walk meet outside the museum entrance at 1.30pm, if you prefer the 20 minute stroll we will pick you up from the car park in the country park. When emailing your attendance confirmation, please let Bis know whether you will be doing the full walk or the short stroll. Email your attendance confirmation to Bis.

Thu Mar 8th - Leicester Botanic
Leicester University Botanic Garden spans 16 acres of lovingly cultivated grounds and greenhouses, displaying a wide variety of environments, including alpine, tropical, temperate and cactus houses. Outdoors there are rock gardens, a herb garden, a water garden and an arboretum. Included are the national collections of hardy fuchsia, skimmia, Lawson's cypress and aubrieta. The formal planting centres around a restored Edwardian garden. The plant collections and landscape features make this garden one of the most diverse in the region. The water features are particularly pleasing and add character to the setting. Variety is the key to this garden's strength.

Meet at the Glebe Road entrance (LE2 2LD) at 13.25 for a 13.30 guided tour. Subject to confirmation tea & cake will be provided at 15.00. The cost is £6.50 (tour £3.50, tea £3.00). Confirm attendance with Bis by Wednesday 29th February - pay on the day, but if you confirm attendance you are committed to the £6.50

Thu Apr 12th - Clifton Campville
Tranquil 2-acre garden around historic former Rectory developed over 29yrs by the present owners. Established trees enhanced by a diverse range of plants. Enjoy a garden on an ancient site, full of colour and interest in all seasons. Gravel and bark paths give easy access to lawns, borders, fruit and vegetables. Small walled garden and gravel areas. Opportunity to visit one of the Midland's finest Grade l listed medieval churches. A garden that offers delights and surprises, with foliage contrasts and colours throughout the year; cyclamen, snowdrops and a range of bulbs, hellebores, heathers, dahlias, fuchsias, fruit and vegetables.

Meet outside the gardens at 13.55 for the 14.00 visit, there is not parking at the Old Rectory but there are spaces in the village. Tea and cake at 15.00 followed by a visit to the historic church. The cost is £4.50 for the garden visit and refreshments (proceeds donated to the church). Confirm attendance by Wednesday 28th March, pay on the day, but if you confirm attendance you are committed to the £4.50.

Thu May 10th - Long Close, Woodhouse Eaves
Established five acre garden, sometimes referred to as 'A Cornish Garden in Leicestershire', due to the many quite tender trees and plants flourishing here, hardly to be found so far north. The garden is sheltered on all sides by mature native trees. One of the house walls is Norman and this forms part of a walled courtyard which is home to several plants such as Schizandra rubifolia and Sophera tetraptera. Formal terraces slope down from the house to more informal gardens below. Herbaceous borders flank the lawns as do the old, knarled, trunked, weeping ash and the mature magnolias. The majority of the large collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, many planted as far back as the 1930's, form the boundaries of the garden and are in magnificent maturity. There are many types of camellias, magnolias, trees and shrubs. Most of which are well established. For example the Magnolia Kobus is regarded as one of the best specimens in the Country and is spectacularly covered in flowers in the spring. Formal and informal pools. Drifts of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells in Spring. A walled kitchen garden has recently been converted into a potager. Extensive penstemon collection. Winding, mown paths finally lead you to a natural dappled pool and views over the wild flower meadow to the neighbouring village church. In addition to the garden, paths have been mown to allow the visitor to wander through the meadow which has not been ploughed in living memory, and where many native wild flowers and grasses grow. Only about 2% of such meadows still exist in the Country. Both the garden and the meadow are a haven for wildlife. A garden which is magnificent at all times, spectacular in Spring.

Thu Jun 14th - Kew Gardens
Coach Trip to Kew Gardens. Explore glasshouses, landscapes and 250 years of history at the world's most famous garden. Climb to the treetops, delve into rainforest or discover more on a guided tour. Palm House & Rose Garden - The curvaceous exterior and steamy interior of Kew's Palm House have long made it an icon of the Gardens. Constructed between 1844 and 1848. Temperate House - The Temperate House is the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world, 4,880 square metres (5,850 square yards) and extending to 19 metres (63 feet) high. Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway - opened to the public in 2008 on International Biodiversity Day. Princess of Wales Conservatory - recreates ten climatic zones under one roof. Madagascan baobob trees, climbing vanilla orchids from Central America, watch carnivorous plants from Asia eating flies for lunch.

Thu Jul 12th - Long Whatton
A return visit to Long Whatton but at a different time of year. Extending to 15 acres, it offers the visitor a haven of peace and tranquility through all the seasons of the year. A myriad of paths lead through the woodland garden, carpeted in spring by thousands of bulbs and wild flowers, while an abundance of flowering shrubs and ornamental trees catch the eye around the spacious lawns. In the summer the old fashioned rose garden, with its extensive views towards Charnwood Forest, and the magnificent herbaceous border sheltered by the high brick wall of the working kitchen garden, provide a profusion of colour. Other features of the garden include stone seats, ornaments, an ornate stone loggia, a bark summer-house and the "Bogey Hole". In the Chinese Garden, the Terracotta Warriors stand guard, replicas of the famous Terracotta Army discovered in China after being buried for 2200 years.

Thu Aug 9th - Coton Manor
44.0 miles, 51 min Coton Manor is peaceful ten acre garden which occupies a hillside position extending down from the 17th century manor house, constructed of mellow Northamptonshire stone. Landscaped on different levels, it comprises a series of distinctive smaller gardens, providing variety and interest throughout the season, and enhanced by flowing streams, fountains and ponds. Beyond the confines of the garden, there is a magical five acre bluebell wood and a colourful wildflower meadow at its best in June & July. As well as enjoying the garden, many visitors will want to explore the extensive nursery, take light lunches or teas from the Stableyard Café, or visit the garden shop. Garden courses complete the range of activities available at Coton.

Thu Sep 13th - BBQ & Plant Swap
Jenny is hosting a barbecue in her delightful Ashby garden. This is the best meeting for a plant swap. More details later.

Thu Oct 11th - Making autumn Items
Griffydam. Making bird boxes, insect hotels and other items for garden wildlife.

Thu Nov 8th - Tree Planting
Jubilee Wood with the Woodland Trust at their flagship Diamond Jubilee Wood between Heather, Ravenstone and Normanton le Heath.

Thu Dec 13th - Christmas Lunch and Planning
A social event plus a time to let the mind salivate at the prospect of gardening delights for 2013. Meet at Griffydam at 1pm. .

Contact

For further information on any of the garden days contact Bis (Roger Bisgrove) at zero one five three zero two two four seven six eight or gardens at whitwicku3a dot org dot uk