May Update

Anything about the Alnwick Garden was going to be good and Trevor Jones, a retired Head Gardener at the Garden did not disappoint us. He has retired but still goes in a couple of days a week to keep his hand in. He took us on a walk through all the constituent parts of the project and had great insight on each of these to keep us entertained.

The Duchess of Northumberland, whose project it is, wanted a modern garden, which would appeal to families and gardeners alike and seems to have succeeded in doing this. Work started in 2000. A Belgian company of designers came up with the grand cascade and all the fountains and the pump house which circulates the water. Kids love to play dare with the water fountains, and some grown up kids too.

There are the water features in the serpent garden and the bamboo maze. The bamboo has matured nicely and there is a special event run at Halloween with ghosts and ghouls and clowns chasing and scaring the visitors. There are flowers at every time of the year. The ornamental garden, which is part of the original walled garden, is a source of many beautiful plantings. There are one million spring bulbs planted here. Delphiniums, Crab apple trees form low hedging and are pleached at 8ft to forma a beautiful high hedge as well.

There are 300 different varieties of rose in the rose garden, which is sponsored by David Austin Roses. There is a rose named after Alnwick. Trevor also mentioned “Alnwick Magic” daffodil which is currently being developed. It will be a sturdy flower so we should look out for it in the future.

The Poison Garden is a must for visitors. Situated behind strong fences and even stronger gates, the guides will tell you stories about each of the different plants in the garden. This as a big draw for families where the children might be a bit fed up looking at all the other plants. It costs nothing to visit the Poison Garden, but an elaborate coffin lies there to take donations from the visitors. It raises about £16000 per annum, a good amount.

A cherry orchard is one of the latest developments. The cherry blossom is stunning in the months of April and May and Japanese events take place at this time. You can visit and be served tea in a Japanese tea ceremony. The Duchess invited sponsor to a reception in this area and each tree has been sponsored. Ten million tulip bulbs were planted here and look fantastic when they are in bloom.

Throughout the different seasons you will find street theatre being performed. There is the Halloween event, there is a walk and stroll event for people with disabilities and their carers, there is event where the lonely come and meet other people, there are Tea Dances, there are Afternoon Teas. Lots of things are go the go all year round.

The Tree House is very special. It has been built in a copse of lime trees and there is a shaky access bridge which all ages love. A restaurant is housed here and it is just a lovely place to be.

Trevor was very good, and I think he will have encouraged people to go back to visit or just go if they have not yet visited. Alnwick Garden is a very special place indeed.

We have a talk from Liz Stewart from Scotland's Garden Scheme in June. She will be here on Friday 7th June 2024.

The DBHS Annual Plant Sale at Dalgety Bay Community Centre on Saturday 11th May 2024 has been CANCELLED due to lack of resources. I forgot about it and I'm on holiday at the time.

We will have a Plant Sale at the Dalgety Bay Gala on Saturday 8th June 2024 at the Sports Centre.

Dalgety Bay Horticultural Society (DBHS) holds meetings on the first Friday of each month at 7:30pm in Dalgety Bay Community Centre. You are welcome to come along to our meetings and, who knows, you may be convinced to join us. Alternatively click on About DBHS > Resources, then membership form, fill it in then send it back. Membership is good value at £5.Dalgety Bay Horticultural Society (DBHS) holds meetings on the first Friday of each month at 7:30pm in Dalgety Bay Community Centre. You are welcome to come along to our meetings and, who knows, you may be convinced to join us. Alternatively go to our website at www.dbhs.org, click on downloads, then membership form, fill it in then send it back. Membership is good value at £5.

If you think you may be interested in joining, please phone me on 07949 505456. Please note the new phone number. I will give you all the information you require.

The “Jobs for” May part of the DBHS report is on the tips page to see what jobs you should be doing at this time of year.