The HARDY PLANT SOCIETY Dorset Group

The Hardy Plant Society is a national organisation that has groups in each county.  The Dorset Group was formed in 1998.   We have a programme of first-class speakers (including, in the past, Carol Klein, Matthew Biggs, Penelope Hobhouse, Timothy Walker, Fergus Garrett and Keith Wiley).  The speakers usually bring their specialist plants for sale and we have our own plant sale at each meeting.  We publish an annual Magazine and a monthly news sheet to keep members up-to-date.

We hold two plant sales annually, the two dates for 2009 are:  Saturday, 9^th May at 2.30 p.m. in Colehill Memorial Hall and Sunday, 13^th September, also at 2.30 p.m., in the lovely garden at Edmondsham House.

During the summer we run at least one coach trip.  Venues have included gardens such as Highgrove, Beth Chatto’s, Glen Chantry, RHS Hyde Hall and Great Dixter.  We also visit nurseries such as Bob Brown’s and Hardy’s.  This year we have arranged visits to Heale House, Andy McIndoe’s garden and Longstock Water Gardens and Nursery.

Dorset Group has hosted two national HPS events which attract members from all over the country:  'Penstemons on Parade' at Kingston Maurward College in 2002, and in September last year we had a wonderful day studying late summer perennials in conjunction with Knoll Gardens.

All our indoor meetings take place in Colehill Memorial Hall.  Entry to normal meetings is free to members and visitors pay £2.50.  Celebrity lectures, special events and coach trips are charged to both members and visitors.  Contact Barbara on 01202 882590 or bgooch@talktalk.net  for further information.