propagation – Charlton and Blackheath Amateur Horticultural Society

June 2026: Gardeners’ Question Time

Our version of Gardeners’ Question Time was back for the June meeting and proved once again to be an informative and enjoyable event.

Members look around the Old Pond Garden before the CABAHS GQT, June 2026 — Lots to learn from and admire in Charlton House Old Pond Garden

The evening started with a pleasant stroll around the Old Pond Garden, admiring the plants and taking in the evening sun.

Back in the Old Library, we set about tackling questions that had been submitted by members before the meeting. In a change to previous years, there was no formal panel or guest expert. Instead, questions were answered by our very own experts with lots of discussion and contributions from CABAHS members, compered by Kathy and illustrated with slides.

Pat’s 10 jobs for June 2026

1. There’s still time to direct sow some annuals like Cerinthe, Nasturtium, Nigella and Calendula for late flowering. Remember to thin out once germinated for decent size flowers.

Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens' — Cerinthe (honeywort), Nigella (love in the mist) and Calendula (pot marigold) can all still be sown now

Nigella damascena (love in the mist) — Cerinthe (honeywort), Nigella (love in the mist) and Calendula (pot marigold) can all still be sown now

2. Lily beetles are rife this year so be vigilant as they can devastate in no time (and they enjoy fritillaries too).

CABAHS Resolution for 2026

In addition to gathering members’ personal gardening resolutions for 2026, our January meeting also launched the Committee’s proposal for a CABAHS-wide resolution for the year, inspired by Plant Heritage’s search for ‘missing collectors’.

The best way to save plants is to cultivate and propagate them, then share them with others.

– Roy Lancaster

Seed Collection and Cuttings!

January 2026 talk: Clematis for every season

On Monday we welcomed Everett Leeds who gave us an amusing and highly informative talk about the prolific world of Clematis. He has been involved with Clematis for many years through growing, speaking and writing about them. He has been the Chairman of the British Clematis Society four times and is co-author of The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Clematis . Everett’s enthusiasm for the genus was highlighted when he shared a photo of his former home with the front fence, hedges and trees completely swamped by a 120 foot long and 40 foot high ‘monstrous’ C. Montana. After cutting this completely away, he planted another!

Everett Leeds talking about Clematis CABAHS January 2026 — Everett Leeds discussing the vast range of Clematis and how to grow them from cuttings