Stroud Gardening Club with speaker Mr Robert Bryant, whose subject for the evening was the Villa Gardens of the Italian Lakes

AT THE January meeting of Stroud Gardening Club, members were welcomed by the Chairperson, Sharon Pellatt, who made a few club announcements and then introduced our speaker for the evening, Mr Robert Bryant, whose subject for the evening was the Villa Gardens of the Italian Lakes.

He was warmly welcomed by the club members.

Robert gave a beautiful show of photographs taken from visits to the many Villa Gardens at different times of the year, and explained that many of the plants grown in these gardens are available for us to grow in our own gardens.

The first was Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore, which was a beautiful garden with sculptures, white peacocks, citrus fruit (lemons and grapefruit), rhododendrons and azaleas.

Villa Taranto are botanical gardens with beautiful lawns and formal gardens with sculptures and fountains.

Wonderful photographs of the rhododendrons, daffodils, magnolia, paper handkerchief tree and water lilies on ponds.

Robert then moved on to Lake Garda and the Heller Gardens with many figures and sculptures.

Lots of various bamboo and misting machines for humidity, hydrangeas and also interesting murals.

Lastly came Lake Como, which generally has less visitors than the other lakes.

Villa Melzi was built in the early 1800s and has many winding paths.

The sculptures and statues are many and there are rhododendrons, beautifully manicured lawns, camellias, Palm trees, ponds and water lilies, and hostas.

Villa Carlotta showcased rhododendrons, oranges, an arboretum with tree ferns and misting machines for humidity and two bird topiaries.

Villa Monastero was the last to be shown, and the garden has been terraced over the years.

Sculptures, statues, walkways, bananas and ginger are grown there, and there are lovely fountains.

Robert's film show and talk was very well appreciated, and there was a question and answer session afterwards.

Sharon then thanked Robert for a very interesting evening, and members applauded their appreciation.

Refreshments were then served, and homemade cakes from Jan and Sharon were available; the raffle was drawn at the end of a very enjoyable evening.

Our next meeting is on February 15 at 7.30pm at the Congregational Church Rooms and is the Annual General Meeting of the Stroud Gardening Club.

This is a very important meeting as this gives the members and anyone interested in becoming a member, to have their say in the sort of activities they would like to have included in our calendar.

The AGM also gives everyone an opportunity to be involved in the running of the Club.

All are welcome, and we look forward to seeing you there.