EVINGTON GARDEN CLUB

Creating gardens under difficult circumstances has been something of a theme this year. An early summer outing was to Quarry Gardens with Avondale and Russell Nurseries, Baginton, nr Coventry. Created after tons of rubble had been removed it now has colourful planting right the way down to a spooky bog garden. Good quality clematis and tea and nice cakes were on sale.

The Garden of the Rose, St Albans, recreated after a struggle to survive, was at its best in a heat wave where we just ambled under arches, sat under trees, sniffed and enjoyed. Over the fence was the Future Garden; a bright vista of prairie planting for butterflies. Thanks to Sheila, the organiser and Woods' air-conditioned coach.

June Batheja, a very last minute replacement/impromptu speaker, gave a fascinating talk on her efforts to make a garden in North India where her husband was an eye surgeon for a charity. Coping with rock hard soil, help only from the cook and an audience of thieving monkeys she managed to grow marigolds, which were then smothered by orange dust from a dust storm. At her next garden she was on her own as it was beneath the dignity of servants to help. June regularly revisits India and has found that now there are garden centres which middle class Indian women visit with their servants but only to grow flowers. Vegetables are bought at market.

Next meeting: 20th October Winter Gardens Jeff Bates

Margaret Young