Many thanks to Derry Watkins, owner of Special Plants Nursery near Bath, for two wonderful talks: Derelict Hill Farm to Garden, where she showed us the creation of her beautiful garden and Botanizing in Kyrgyzstan, the ‘Switzerland of Asia’, taking us on her recent exploration in the high mountains of central Asia.
Derry grows and sells unusual plants from all over the world, many discovered by herself, including an amazing range of hardy herbaceous and rockery plants.
This event was in conjunction with the Alpine Garden society (Ulster Group) and a large turnout of around 120 people attended to hear Derry’s interesting talks.
Mark Smyth had a wonderful snowdrop display, he then auctioned several of his unusual plants and the afternoon concluded with a delicious afternoon tea.
Many thanks to Barbara Kelso and Maeve Bell for the photographs and the report. It was obviously a great event with such a good attendance and happy faces all round!
