PRUNING is about refreshing and stimulating not about keeping control! This was the basis of the talk to members by Andrew Mikolajski on Thursday, April 3 which was all about ‘Pruning - The Unkindest Cut’. Andrew is the author of over thirty gardening titles, including the RHS Guide ‘Pruning Plant by Plant’, and he brought along examples of plants and tools to ensure that the presentation was both practical and useful to members. Andrew covered the when, what and how of pruning and also answered a wide range of Members’ own questions.

Bretforton Open Gardens and Plant Sale will be taking place from 11am until 5pm on Sunday, June 1 with a magnificent 11 gardens taking part this year. Visitors will be able to see gardens ranging from the grounds of the stunning Bretforton Manor to attractive cottages with rose pathways and herbaceous borders. Refreshments with home-made cakes, a plant sale and tombola will also be taking place at Bretforton Manor. Tickets will be available from the Manor and also from the Ark Shop on Main Street. At the April meeting Members selected the Midlands Air Ambulance and the Bretforton First School Eco Garden to share in the proceeds from the event. More information can be found on www.bretforton-gardenclub.co.uk under Open Gardens.

On May 1sthere will be a talk by Brian Ellis who is the owner of Avondale Nurseries and Display Garden which is full of rare and unusual flowers and grasses. The garden is known as the Library Garden as visitors often use the garden like a reference book! Brian will be talking to us about ‘Texture and Foliage in the Garden’ as a starting point in the layout of a garden, rather than the use of hard landscaping. This talk reflects his background as an artist rather than a botanist and we also have a visit planned to his Nurseries in August.

The Garden Club provides a great opportunity for people to learn about a variety of gardening topics in a friendly environment and enjoy interesting days out. We would be delighted to see any new members who wish to join. Please go to our website www.bretforton-gardenclub.co.uk for more information.