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).  Thespeakers 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.

Our annual plant sale in Colehill Memorial Hall is on Saturday, 8th May at 2.30 p.m., this is the place to find unusual plants at bargain prices. This year we will also be selling plants at Open Farm Day at Barford Ice Cream Garden on Sunday, 13th June, and at the NGS Open Days of Manor Farm, Hampreston.

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 a visit to Kilver Court and the Mead Nursery in September and a weekend break to gardens in Devon in June.

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 2008 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.