Programme of Events

and(Click here for Local non-Dorset HPS events)

We welcome visitors to our meetings with talks, entrance fee £4.

• We meet to hear a range of speakers from January to April, then September to November. The summer we have 'off' to perhaps enjoy our own - or other - gardens and plants sales including our own 'Plant Fair' in May.
• Generally, our speaker meetings are on the 4th Saturday of the month (unless affected by Bank Holidays etc so please check). All meetings are held at the Colehill Village Hall, Wimborne BH21 2LR.
• Doors open at 1.45pm ready for the talks ​to start promptly at 2.30 pm, unless otherwise indicated.

2024

Saturday 23rd March - talk
‘Creating Beautiful Borders’ - Wildegoose Nursery - covering the principles of good border design: structure, balance, maintenance and above all the plants themselves – which to choose and inspiring ways to combine them.
This specialist nursery is situated in an historic Shropshire walled garden. The garden showcases wonderful plants in exuberantly planted borders, together with an understanding of how plants are coping with our rapidly changing climate. (plants for sale)

Saturday 27th April 2024 - talk
‘Thugs & Wimps in the Naturalistic Garden’ – with Marina Christopher - choosing plants with similar vigour for successful combinations.
Marina Christopher is a trained botanist and an experienced and enthusiastic gardener and speaker. (plants for sale)

Saturday 18th May 2024 - our Annual Plant Fair
10am - 12noon
Open to the public
Entrance Fee: £1
Cash please
Reasonably priced plants, many grown by our own members.
Refreshments also for sale in the hall.

Day Coach Trip
Thursday 1st August 2024
Visiting the Bishop’s Palace Gardens, Wells, and the Piet Oudolf designed gardens at Hauser and Wirth, Bruton, both in Somerset.
This event is now open to non-members. Tickets are £25pp.
To book your ticket, or for more information, please email [email protected]

Saturday 28th September 2024 - talk
‘Designing and Planting a Small Garden’ - with Andy McIndoe - Ideas on making the most of a small space, tips on selecting the best plants for year round interest and planning for low maintenance.
Andy has over 40years experience in retail and production horticulture – developing Hillier’s chain of stores and 25 Gold Medal awards at Chelsea. Andy also has several books to his name.

Saturday 26th October 2024 - Celebrity Speaker - talk - by ticket only
‘My Evolving Garden’ - Sue Kent
​This talk includes looking at hard landscaping choices and plant choices to make gardening easier – includes before and after illustrations. Sue shares her top tools and top plant selection tips.
Sue Kent is an amateur gardener and a regular on Gardeners’ World, joining the BBC2 show in 2021. Sue talks about her disability and her great achievements in the garden.

Saturday 23rd November 2024 - Celebrity Speaker - talk - by ticket only
'Abundance and How to Have It' with Toby Buckland Best varieties and techniques for bumper crops and beautiful borders.
Toby Buckland is an English Gardener, TV presenter and author. He has won RHS Gold and Best in Show for his Ethical Garden at Gardeners’ World Live, and was the main presenter of Gardeners’ World from 2008 to 2010, and still appears regularly.

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