February – Page 2 – Charlton and Blackheath Amateur Horticultural Society

Anna’s Visit to the Tibetan Peace Garden, Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, Lambeth

After the busyness of a visit during half-term to the Imperial War Museum, it was relaxing to visit the adjacent Tibetan Peace Garden on an amazingly warm and sunny, winter’s day in February.

This is a lovely, partially enclosed garden which was opened by the Dalal Lama in 1999 and it was named ‘Samten Kyil’, meaning the Garden of Contemplation and this is exactly what the designers have achieved.

The garden is made up of two parts: an outer garden of trees and lawn sweeping around and enclosing the inner circular garden, the whole bordered by a circular pathway in which to enjoy the views. White-barked Himalayan Birches, making a striking contrast against the green and blue of the grass and the sky, are interspersed with Weeping Cherries and Prunus serrula (Tibetan Cherry) with polished, red-purple bark.

Pat’s 10 Jobs for February…

1. Prune Group 3 clematis (late flowering viticella types) now by cutting all stems back just above a leaf node starting from the ground up. Don’t be timid as they respond well. Then feed around the plant base with an organic feed making sure to avoid emerging shoots and mulch with compost.

Clematis viticella Romantica (Group 3) in bloom

Clematis Comtesse de Bouchard (Group 3) in bloom — Clematis viticella Romantica (Group 3) in bloom

2. If you have some, mulch your beds with homemade compost or leafmould. If you don’t have enough just mulch around your favourite plants.

Plant Of the Month: Lonicera fragrantissima (February 2024)

If you want to lift your spirits on a cold, grey, winter’s day, then this is the plant for you!

At the Tibetan Peace Garden, adjacent to the Imperial War Museum, on an amazingly warm and sunny February afternoon, I was greeted at the entrance by the beauty and fragrant flowers of an often underrated winter flowering shrub.

The creamy-white-pale yellow, tubular flowers with protruding stamens often appear on bare or semi-evergreen stems and in my garden they literally flower for months, from November-December through to March-April. I can view the masses of flowers from my kitchen windows which is a visual treat but really, it’s my neighbours who benefit from the spectacle and fragrance as the shrub is situated on the boundary wall.

At the Tibetan Peace Garden, the shrubs are situated in full sun and their 2×3 metre spread on either side of the entrance pillars acts as a welcome into the garden enclosure and also indicates they are absolutely loving their perfect, sun-soaked, location.

What to look out for in the Old Pond Garden: February 2024

We hope you enjoy a Winter walk around the walled gardens at Charlton House! This month, look out for:

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop) in the Old Pond Garden, Charlton House, February 2024

The Latin name for snowdrop is Galanthus, meaning ‘milk flower’. They hang their heads to keep their pollen dry for the winter insects they are adapted to attract. When temperatures reach 10C the outer petals open up and this is the temperature at which winter pollinators like bumble bees can fly! Snowdrop sap contains natural antifreeze which allows them to recover quickly after a frosty night. People who collect snowdrops are called Galanthophiles and they pay huge prices for rare varieties.

Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis)

Helleborus orientalis (hellebore / Lenten rose) in the Old Pond Garden, Charlton House, February 2024

The Lenten Rose is a perennial flowering plant and is part of the Buttercup family, so not a rose at all! Its common name comes from the fact it usually flowers between Ash Wednesday and Easter – the period known as Lent. Hellebores (Lenten roses) can be white, pink, purple and green and they cross with each other very easily so all sorts of colours can result. We are trying to keep to the pink ones in the Old Pond Garden and the white ones will go in the Glade.

Silk tassel bush (Garrya elliptica)

Garrya elliptica (silk tassel bush) in the Old Pond Garden, Charlton House, February 2024

This is a vigorous bushy evergreen shrub with silvery-grey leathery leaves, originally from California USA. It is hardy but grows best in a sheltered spot so it loves the Walled Gardens. The male plant has wonderful catkins in Winter/Spring that look like tassels – look closely at the tassels, they have an amazing structure. The female plant is less commonly seen (we don’t have one here) but produces purple/brown fruits in summer.

Visit to RHS Wisley

On Saturday 11^th February Jean and I spent a very pleasant day at RHS Wisley. This was the last day of the Iris and Cyclamen Show held in the Hilltop event hall.

The Iris and Cyclamen Show at RHS Wisley

The displays were beautiful. So uplifting to see so many spring colours after a long, cold winter. We were amazed at the variety in size and pattern of cyclamen leaves, all in perfect condition of course.

Pots of cyclamen at the Iris and Cyclamen Show at RHS Wisley

The Iris Fields of Hall Road, Wenhaston IP19 9HF were selling small pots of irises to which we both succumbed!

February 2023 Meeting

Our February meeting on Monday 20th, comprised our AGM, with the usual election of officers and presentation of the Annual Report, followed by a talk by Ruth Cornett on the work she has done on her Eltham Palace Gatehouse garden and her passion for roses.

Show Table Winners 2022
The Show Table cup is presented to the member who has garnered the most points on the monthly Show Table, over the past year. We have not been able to present the cup for the previous two years due to Covid, so we are delighted to be able to revive this tradition that has been running since 1955! This year, we had Joint Winners, namely Annie and Terry. Second place went to Pat K and Third to Anastasia. Well done all.

President presenting the Show Table Cup to joint winners Terry and Annie

Sian won Best on the Table for February 2023 for her display of Mimosa

For the coming year, we have introduced an additional award, “Best on the Table” given to the best display each month. This time it was Sian’s turn, with her wonderful aromatic display of Mimosa.

A report on the talk will follow shortly.

OPG Diary February 2022

Snowdrop fever

As Anna writes in the latest Newsletter, January and February are the months for snowdrops.

Galanthus nivalis - common snowdrop — Galanthus nivalis – common snowdrop

Joe Sharman, the owner of Monksilver Nursery and who has come to be known as ‘Mr. Snowdrop’ has produced a variety called ‘Golden Tears’, described as ‘A narrow-flowered yellow pterugiform with a very large mark and bright yellow ovary. Very beautiful and distinct.’ The bulb apparently sold for £1,850.

A few years ago, I visited the Snowdrop Sensation weekend at Great Comp where a number of specialist snowdrop growers had stands. Some very beautiful varieties were selling for £100/£100 a bulb. I thought this a bit of a stretch and compromised, buying one for £10.00. I have watched this like a hawk each year, willing it to grow. There would be a great many tears and gnashing of teeth if I bought a more expensive bulb and lost it. I cannot imagine what one would do with a bulb worth £1,850.

Vija

February 2022

Beautiful bulbs and heavenly Hellebores on our Show Table this month.

Nestbox Week from 14 February

British Nestbox week starts every year on Valentines Day, have a look at their website to get tips on siting nestboxes to get the best chance of an occupier. Our feathered friends need all the help they can get.