Stroud Gardening Club with speaker Andrew Bullock from Lavender, Ozleworth

STROUD Gardening Club held their latest meeting on Wednesday, May 17, when their speaker was Andrew Bullock from Lavender, Ozleworth.

He was introduced by Chairperson, Sharon Pellatt, after mention of the previous Saturday's organised visit to the Malvern Spring Festival, which was a lovely day and enjoyed by everyone, and she thanked Jan Davis for organising it.

She also encouraged those present to enter their geranium plants into Class 19 of The Stroud Country Show on July 15, along with any other home grown or home made produce into those various classes.

She also asked the audience to grow plants which could be donated the Gardening Club's Plant Stall at the Show, as this is our main fund raiser for the Club.

Andrew then took over, explaining how he almost accidentally got into producing Lavenders and Buddleia, having started out as an aspiring actor.

He accumulated the capital to take out a lease on Ashcroft Nursery when this became available, and indulged his childhood interest in Lavenders, particularly the English lavender, which originated from France.

They grow on sunny, well drained limestone condition, which can be replicated in England, and Andrew has grown his business by working on producing new varieties, his particular favourite being Little Lady.

He brought along with him quite a number of plants, and these were offered for sale afterwards.

Andrew gave many tips on growing, pruning and growing conditions for all kinds of lavender, and suggested propagating from cuttings rather seed, as seed is not often true to type.

He also concentrates on Buddleia which, he explained, grow naturally on stony hillsides in China, but grow well on poor ground in this country.

They need to bloom in August to feed the butterflies, so Andrew suggested pruning in early spring to make plants bloom later.

Buzz Red is a stunning dwarf buddleia.

Billies Blue is Navy Blue and Black Knight is also a good specimen, as is Loganberry Jam.

The evening was very successful, and Andrew was very entertaining.

Sharon thanked Andrew, and refreshments were served with cakes supplied by Sharon and Christine Davies, thanks to you both.

Our next meeting is an Open Garden on June 21 when Tony and Mavis invite club members to their garden for the evening.

Stroud Gardening Club are also organising a coach trip to Blenheim Palace on September 20, for a visit to the Palace, Park and Gardens at a cost of £25 per person.

Anyone interested in joining us would be most welcome, and can do so by contacting Jan Davis on 01453 757952 or mobile 07917 876821, and payment by cheque made out to Stroud Gardening Club would be acceptable.