Ballykealey Manor Hotel (near Altamont), Ballon, Co. Carlow
Saturday 3rd February 2018
Speakers: Graham Gough & Jim Almond
Like many gardeners, Graham was exposed to gardening at an early age being surrounded by voluminous cabbages and gaudy ‘Super Star’ roses in his parent’s garden. His introduction to the sophistication of snowdrops came much later whilst working with Elizabeth Strangman at Washfield Nursery in Kent where a collection of ‘Classic’ varieties were managed. ‘Merlin’, ‘Washfield Colesbourne’, ‘John Grey’, ‘Washfield Warham’ etc. the best of their kind in their day and winter visits would be made to the finest collections of snowdrops, notably those of Dr. R. Mackenzie, John Morley and Christopher Brickell, then Director of the RHS Gardens, Wisley.
Having grown snowdrops for over 35 years, Graham has also witnessed the boom years not only in the steady increase of snowdrop varieties but the corresponding rise in prices too! His own small idiosyncratic collection is added to gently on a yearly basis and is maintained at his renowned Nursery, Marchant’s Hardy Plants in East Sussex. It is here that he tempts the public each February to his regular sale in Marchant’s ‘Potting Palace’ of up to 50 varieties of fine garden snowdrops. Graham’s love of snowdrops is matched by his love for all spring plants and in his talk ‘Spring Bedfellows’ he will look at companion plants to enhance your snowdrop and spring borders.
Jim is a retired biomedical scientist from Shropshire who has been interested in alpines and dwarf bulbs for over 30 years. Together with a National Collection of juno Iris, he has been growing and collecting snowdrops for the past 20 years. In addition to maintaining a large ‘general’ collection he has specialised with snowdrop species and those with a Shropshire connection in recent years. He lectures widely on the subject and has spoken at all the key snowdrops events in the UK in addition to our very first Irish gala.
The theme of this talk is ‘Green’…. Green tipped or green marked Snowdrops, green leaves, lifting in the green and a few other threads of interest to keep everyone happy! There will be lots of interesting choice Snowdrops and tips on cultivation.
Snowdrops from Avon Bulbs, snowdrops and other spring plants from Graham Gough (Marchants Hardy Plants), snowdrops from Jim Almond, snowdrops and narcissus from Coosheen Plants and other Spring bulbs and plants from Altamont Plant Sales.
Ballykealey Manor Hotel, Ballykealey, Ballon, Co. Carlow T: 059 915 9288 www.ballykealeymanorhotel.com
€70 [before 30th January, 2018] Cost includes lectures, lunch, admission to bulb sale, guided tour, afternoon tea and cake at Altamont. Download Brochure with the Booking Form
Early booking advisable. No refunds. Ticket event, limited number.
Special accomodation rates available for Ballykealey Manor, payable before January 15th 2018.
Hester Forde, Coosheen Garden, T: 086 865 4972 Email: hesterforde@gmail.com
Robert Miller, Altamont Plants, T: 087 982 2135 Email: sales@altamontplants.com