TALKS
Talks last approximately 1 hour, unless requested otherwise, and are followed by time for questions and comments as required. Talks are illustrated with a digital projector, for which darkness is helpful.
ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY ?
A selection of attractive seats and the their surrounding gardens, focusing on plants that are a delight to sit beside.
BERRIED TREASURE
How to make the most of your garden through the autumn and winter months.
FRAGRANCE IN THE GARDEN
This is about plants which have either scented flowers or scented foliage, to fill your garden with perfume.
GARDENS OF JAPAN
An account of traditional japanese gardens and their relevance to our gardens today.
HEDGES AND EDGES
A look at hedges and edging as important elements in shaping and defining your garden.
HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS
Plants which die down in winter but regrow each spring to give generous cushions of foliage and vivid flowers.
HISTORY OF GARDENS
An account of the development of garden styles from medieval times to the present day.
PERFECT PARTNERS
How to transform your planting from ordinary to wonderful by carefully choosing how you combine your plants.
PONDS AND WATER FEATURES
Formal, architectural ponds and natural looking wildlife ponds.
REACH FOR THE STARS
All about climbing plants.
RUGS, CUSHIONS AND CARPETS
All about covering your soil and deterring the weeds with appropriate planting.
TALL TALES
A selection of trees suitable for our gardens, some for flower, some for foliage and some for fruit and a few for their bark.
THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE
A selection of distinctive gates and the gardens behind them. Mostly of English gardens but a few from abroad, to widen our horizons.
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
A light hearted look at the sort of gifts you might request from your true-love instead of milkmaids or drummers or leaping lords.
Fees
The fee £85 plus travelling expenses @ 60p per mile round trip from Lyme Regis. Please phone for a no obligation quote.
Please note
Morning or afternoon talks can be given throughout the year, but evening talks will only be given during May, June and July.
Testimonials
"Thank you so much for inspirational and informative talk at Chardstock Gardening Club in April. Everyone commented on how much they enjoyed your talk and also appreciated the plant information you handed out."
P.R., Chardstock
"I want to say a big 'thank you' for such a good talk yesterday. I had many members telling me how much they had enjoyed it, and what an easy person you were to listen to. A couple said they felt it was like having a conversation with you rather than being given a lecture ! I'm sure we'll be seeing you again !"
S.N., Bishops Hull
Jenny's take on a plant and sculpture list for the 12 days of Christmas was highly entertaining and informative, illustrated with some stunning photos. The plants ranged from a large Magnolia tree through smaller trees and shrubs, where a small number would make an attractive display, to Snowdrops and Tulips where a minimum of 12 was suggested. She also included topiary and water features as potential presents and some sculptures to add structure and interest to the garden. These were often humourous, such as two bronze resin snails climbing up a post and 12 copper bats hanging from a fence.
Sampford Arundal Gardening Club, Dec. 2022
Thank you for your excellent presentation. We all enjoyed your lovely slides taking us through many Garden Gates, as well as your introduction with the scented plants, which was just right for our group. Many members came up to me afterwards and said how they had enjoyed it. We were surprised to find many of the gardens were new to us and so it may encourage more garden visits; I'm sure we will all be looking out for more unusual lovely gates.
Radipole & Southill Horticultural Society
Thank you so much for a very interesting and helpful talk, and for all the lovely photographs and your information leaflets. My little ponds will thank you too now I know what to do with the monster sedges. I do hope you will come back to us.
Seaton Garden Club
Thank you so very much for your fascinating talk on 'Japanese Gardens and their History'. I know that after a few beautiful slides I was beginning to feel relaxed just looking at the simplicity and beauty of them. It has certainly fired us with enthusiasm to try and create a little bit of Japan in our own gardens.
Merriott Gardening Club
I want to thank you for your enjoyable talk yesterday - the greatest theme of praise was that they could hear clearly what you were saying, as you 'didn't mumble into your jumper' ! We also like the way your talks are organised - so full marks from us !
Bridgwater U3A / Gardening Group