Gardeners' Diary of Events
April/May 2010

April 4th - Arley Spring Plant Fair, Arley Hall, Northwich, Cheshire. Growers from across the Midlands and the North with many unusual plants for sale plus stunning gardens. 10.00-4.00pm. Tel. 01565 777353 ext. 31.
Newburgh Priory, Coxwold, nr. Thirsk. Flower Power Plant Fair. Specialist nurseries and 40 acres of gardens. Refreshments. 10.00-4.00pm, £3. Tel. 07730 859441.
April 8th - Calder Valley Organic Gardening Group, Mytholmroyd. “Hardy Plants for Cold Places” by Peter Foley, 7.30pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Tel. 01422 845260.
April 13th - Cath’s Garden Plants, The Walled Garden, Heaves Hotel, Levens, nr. Kendal. RHS Event “Putting it all Together” with Cath and Bob Sanderson covering garden design and choice of plants.10.00-12.30pm. £10.95, Tel. 015395 61126.
April 15th - Holden Clough Nursery, Bolton-by-Bowland, Clitheroe. RHS Event “Hardy Plants for the Spring Garden” with John Foley; the emphasis is on choosing the right plant for the right place and on planning for a long-lasting display of colour. 1.00-4.00pm. £9.95, Tel. 01200 447615.
Hutton Garden Club, Preston. “Fantastic Foliage” by Peter Foley. 7.30pm. Tel. 01772 612344.
April 18th Sutton-in-the-Forest, nr. York. Flower Power Plant Fair. 10.00-4.00pm, £3. Tel. 07730 859441.
April 22nd – 25th – Harrogate Spring Flower Show, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. 9.30am-5.30pm (4.30pm Sunday). Book tickets by 13th April for discount on 0844 873 3303.
April 24-25th – Arley Hall Bluebell Walks. See April 4th.
Weathervane House, Mill Lane, Seaton Ross, nr. Pocklington, YO42 4NE. NGS opening with woodland of Magnolias, Rhododendrons, Shrubs and Spring bulbs. 12.00-5.00pm, £3. Tel. 01759 318663.
April 26th – Cumbria Group The Hardy Plant Society, Kendal, Cumbria. “Primulas - a diverse group of plants” by Peter Foley, 7.30pm at the Masonic Hall, Kendal. Tel. 015395 30592.
April 29th – Alston Hall College, nr. Longridge, Preston. “Plants for the Smaller Garden” by Peter Foley. 11.00-4.00pm inc. lunch and afternoon tea. To book: Tel. 01772 784661.
May 1st-2nd – Arley Hall Bluebell Walks. See April 4th.
May 2nd – Browsholme Hall Plant Fair, Bashall Eaves, nr. Clitheroe. Featuring a number of specialist nurseries from across the North and the chance to see around this 500-year-old family home of the Parker family. Garden and wildlife walks plus Gardeners’ Question Time with Peter Foley. Refreshments, 11.00-4.00pm
May 2nd – RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate. Plant Heritage Spring Plant Fair, specialist nurseries and advice service. 10.00-4.00pm, normal garden admission.
May 3rd – Wytherstone Gardens, Pockley, nr. Helmsley. Flower Power Plant Fair in 8 acre gardens not normally open to public. Many rare and unusual shrubs. 10.00-4.00pm, £5. Tel. 07730 859441.
May 8-9th – Rhododendrons in Bloom at RHS Garden Harlow Carr. Enjoy a conducted tour of the gardens. 11.30am, 1.30 and 3.00pm. Booking necessary. Tel. 0845 612 1253.
May 9th – Newby Hall Spring Plant Fair, nr. Ripon, North Yorkshire. 10.00 - 4.30pm.Tel. 01423 322583.
May 10th – Horwich W.I. “Plants for the Smaller Garden” by Peter Foley, 7.30pm at the Conservative Club, Horwich, nr. Bolton. Tel. 01204 697596.
May 16th – Hutton-in-the-Forest Plant & Food Fair, nr. Penrith, Cumbria. A stunning garden in a wonderful setting. 10.00-4.00pm. Tel. 017684 84449.
Duncombe Park, nr. Helmsley. Flower Power Plant Fair. 10.00-4.00pm, £2 adm. to fair; gardens & house extra. Tel. 07730 859441.
May 18th – Fir Trees Pelargonium Nursery, Stokesley. RHS Event “Getting the best from your Pelargoniums” with Helen Bainbridge. Covering all that you need to know about healthy cultivation and varieties. 2.00-4.00pm, £4.95, Tel. 01642 713066.
May 23rd - Waddow Lodge Garden open for Marie Curie (Peter Foley & Liz Dean) Waddington, near Clitheroe. 1.00-5.00pm, Refreshments and plant sales. Admission £3.00. Tel. 01200 429145.
May 29th – Le Jardin, 12, Crocus Field, Leyland, PR 25 3DY. NGS opening with mature herbaceous borders and shrubs in a themed planting for colour, form and texture. 11.00-5.00pm, £3. Tel. 01772 456616.
May 30th – Constable Burton Hall, nr. Leyburn, Wensleydale. Flower Power Plant Fair. 10.00-4.00pm. Tel. 07730 859441.
June 7 - 8th Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Chipping, nr. Preston. A two-night “Gardening Break” with sumptuous accommodation and food from the award winning restaurant plus conducted tours of the hotel gardens and a visit to Waddow Lodge Garden with Peter Foley. Tel. 01995 61456

From issue 31 April/May 2010. To order this issue go to the Northern Life online store.