Colin Smith | Ventnor Botanic Friends

11th May 2020 By Colin Smith

May – It’s Echium Time

Monday May 11th was a very windy day and rather chilly so ideal for another walk in the Garden. Following the government announcment yesterday Jack is excited that Wednesday, when ‘lockdown’ relaxes slightly and people can travel more, will see the footfall at the Garden increase.

Start in South Africa, still the most colourful area in the Garden.

Onto the Palm Garden, an area that Phil le May has spent many hours making it look its absolute best.

Work continues on the removal of the steps and the new wall has now been painted and planting placed around it.
One of the terrapins is posing in the sunshine.
The first view of Echiums is around the pond.

More Echiums by the pond and at the start of the Mediterranean Garden.

Wisteria covering the shelter by the Cork Oaks.

The Mediterranean Garden with the French Lavender still spectacular and Echiums everywhere.

More Echiums!

…and to finish in the Arid Garden. How those flowers on the spiral Aloe – Aloe polyphylla are developing and enormous flowers on the Yucca.

9th May 2020 By Colin Smith

ventnorensis

Despite the limitations of social distancing the Friends’ activities have continued and Ros & Simone have been very busy putting together the latest edition of ventnorensis which should be delivered to your door soon.

Obviously nearly everything that we do is affected by the current restrictions and we are having to come up with new ways of doing things so there may be some delays in the distribution but we will get there.

You can read our Chairman, John Bagshaw’s message to the Members below:

28th March 2020 By Colin Smith

Spring Colour in the Garden

We spent a long time in the Garden today lots of new things to see in the Mediterranean Garden although the weather was not as sunny and warm as Wednesday & Thursday last week.

For those who are not so local and are unable to visit the Garden at this time we have taken some photographs to keep you up to date with how wonderful the Garden is looking in early Spring.

I am working on reversing the content so that you will now see the most recent photographs at the top of the post. Further down the post the images may be a bit random.

To include more images for selection some images are in galleries. On your PC or laptop right click on the image and select ‘View image’, on your tablet or phone, long press and ‘Open image in new tab’.

**At the end of our walk.** **Buds forming on the spiral Aloe – Aloe polyphylla in the Arid Garden.**

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The Mediterranean Garden

*Cistus albidus* – Rock Roses receiving attention from the bees.

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**French Lavender in the Mediterranean Garden.**

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The Palm Garden

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**The fig tree by the waterfall already laden with fruit.**

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**Arum Lilly in the Southern Hemisphere Terrace and the first flowers to brighten the long border.**

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**Probably the last photos of the Japanese area as the last of the trees flower**.

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**The Mediterranean Border with a colourful Aeonium and Echiums coming into flower**.

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**The South Africa Terraces are already a riot of colour.**

**The Protea was spectacular but is fading now.**

**Butterflies and wall lizards are already enjoying the warmth of the spring sunshine.**

**The Japanese Garden looking north.**

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**…and the Magnolia stellata is at its best.**

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**The Prunus x yedoensis are looking good.**

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**The pond has been refilled and replanted with the fountain flowing and the terrapins are back in residence**

**The pond & fountain have been cleaned and the concrete repaired.**

**The area where the stairs were demolished has been rendered.**

**Work continues to keep the Garden looking at its best.**

**The daffodils on the site of the old Totem Pole still provide a wonderful show.**

**Neighbouring Steephill Cove, still wonderful but deserted.**

28th March 2020 By Colin Smith

Annual General Meeting

It has been necessary for the 2020 AGM to be postponed due to the ongoing Coronavirus emergency situation.

The Agenda for the meeting is published here: – AGM Agenda 15 April 2020

The minutes of the 2019 AGM are here: – Minutes of AGM 21 February 2019

Due notice will be given of the revised date for the AGM both on this website and by email to Members who have their email address registered with the Society.

13th March 2020 By Colin Smith

Meet Emma Tennant

A very special event will take place on Wednesday 18th March when renowned botanical artist Emma Tennant will talk about her meticulous and much lauded paintings.

She will bring a pop-up exhibition of her wonderful paintings, and Ben Wood, Isle of Wight resident, photographer and film maker, will be screening his recently made documentary film, Emma Tennant, Artist & Gardener.

Emma has generously waived her expenses to support the Friends, and will make a donation in respect of any paintings sold on the night.

The evening begins at 6pm and will finish at 8:30pm. Tickets are £20, to include a glass of wine and Canapés, and can be reserved by contacting Sally Peake, tel: 731403 or email: sallye.peake@btinternet.com

Members can book now before the event is opened to non-members.

In the Autumn Winter edition of ventnorensis Roz Whistance talks to Emma Tennant about her work as an artist, gardener and botanist.

You can read the article here – The art of gardening

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