April's Campanulas
'ROSES ARE RED, CAMPANULAS ARE BLUE' - well, actually not, as was ably demonstrated by our April speaker, Mrs Margaret Lynch from Meldreth. In her beautifully illustrated talk on border campanulas, Mrs Lynch showed us a huge variety of form and colour from the traditional blue to all shades of blue, pink and white to creamy yellow and all sizes from the five foot tall campanula lactiflora to the tiny campanula planiflora at only 2" high. Campanulas are a traditional garden flower which look well with old roses, pinks and other cottage garden plants. Mrs Lynch suggested giving the campanula lactiflora the 'Chelsea Chop' - that is, cutting them down to knee-high around the time of the Chelsea Flower Show at the end of May and they will flower later in the season and on a more compact stem. I think we all learnt a great deal about campanulas and are inspired to try growing new varieties for ourselves.
The next meeting will be at 8pm on Tuesday 15 May when Miss Margaret Waddy will be talking to us 'About Roses'. Visitors are always welcome. Please remember too, our main annual outing this year is on Saturday 5 June to Great Dixter house and gardens, until his recent death the home of plantsman Christopher Lloyd. If anyone would like more information or to join us on the day please contact Roger Connan or Margaret Joyce.