Village Gardeners
Mr Paul Heavens, who in another life is a national Fuschia judge, gave us a
beautifully illustrated talk, on the history and hybridization from the wild
Primula, of Auriculas.
He had chosen to grow them for pure pleasure because “you don’t have to do
anything to them”! No winter protection is needed: you can go away on holiday
and leave them: they don’t get white fly and only need feeding twice yearly.
In the 16th and 17th centuries they grew wild in the Alpine regions of Europe and were used for food and medicinal purposes. Herbalists supplied them to the Aristocracy for dizziness, vertigo and the vapours! In the 18th century they were grown by the Austrian Emperor and finally imported from Belgium in the 19th century. There are now two main types-the Show or Edged Auriculas, with their leaves covered in the white powdery Farina and the Alpine variety. The Show Auriculas are best in a frame but the Alpine variety are quite happy in tubs or the ground in the sort of places that snowdrops grow. It’s hard to resist these charming plants, especially when they are called Royal Mail, John Wayne, Limelight, Gay Crusader,Taffeta bow, Red Admiral and the little striped Oh Yes!
Our next meeting will be on January 18th when Mr Twiggs Way, a garden historian will give a talk on the history of women in the garden, entitled “Virgins, Weeders and Queens” (Can’t miss that! Eds) Every one is very welcome.