Posted elsewhere by Lesley Cox ...... seems the event went well!!
"What a super weekend we all had at the NZAGS 60th Anniv. celebration. Saturday was for talks starting with a stunning account of the flora from Chengdu in China to Llasa in Tibet. This talk was from John Mitchell from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, in charge of the alpine sections and collections of that magnificent garden. We saw many plants rarely or never before seen in New Zealand (though Francie Herlund for some years grew the legendry Primula sherriffae, flowering it, almost unbelievably, in a limestone trough!)
John was followed by Mike Thorson who spoke about the plants of Central Otago's rocky, boggy, and always diverse mountain ranges which are home to as many species as the mountains of western Nelson, to many people's surprise. Lunchtume gave an opportunity for catching up with old friends, some not encountered for many years, and a pleasant addition to lunch was a collection of Central Otago's famous stone fruit. The apricots were especially popular while nectarines were taken away to have another day of ripening added to their wonderful red skins. Mike was followed by Dave Toole on bulbous plants for cool places then by Anne Murray who showed an extensive collection of Oxalis species and bulbs/corms from the huge family of Iridaceae.
The final talk was again from John Mitchell and it was a pleasure to listen to his pleasant Scottish voice, every word clear and easily understood even to this old lady whose hearing is deteriorating rapidly. We learned about the RBG Edinburgh, from its beginnings through moves and development, the visionary men whose idea it all was in the first place and the modern garden with its strong ethic of education in Scotland and in many parts of the world, all the time concentrating on the marvellous collections and their care, so many of great interest to the alpine gardener, and how the plants collected in China, Tibet and elsewhere gradually find their way into cultivation for our pleasure and the enrichment of our lives.
We enjoyed an anniversary dinner later in the evening, one of the best in the line of examples from various previous events. The meal was follwed by a talk from Doug Logan about some of his favourite plants. If I can't immediately remember the detail of this account, The Ned may have had something to de with that but I know I enjoyed both talk and wine at the time. A very long day but one to look back upon with pleasure.
Sunday started quietly for me as I planned not to visit the two gardens listed. A time spent in Edna's garden was refreshing and rewarding too. Various seeds and a pot of Scoliopus bigelovii found their way into my lugguge. I have had the latter for many years but this new plant will give me a second clone with which I hope my original will be encouraged to set seed as it has not, so far.
After lunch we set out to Leeston for the garden of Hamish and Mika, collecting Edna's Susan on the way. We also called at Texture Plants a beautifully managed nursery at Prebbleton. All Christchurch gardeners and visitors to the city should frequent this place as there are so many excellent things to be seen - and obtained.
I only bought one but a real beauty, the Hosta called 'Stained Glass,' a rich lime/gold, new to me. (Photo below.)
Hamish and Mika are fortunate as a couple to share their love of plants and the natural world. They are both "hooked" by irises and have been kind enough to share some of these with me and, no doubt, with others. A huge collection of potted alpine and other plants made me envy Hamish's youth and physical strength as many are in big pots which I could never lift. They include many NZ alpines, especially with white and woolly foliage, lovely things.
This was a garden for minute inspection and absorbing of detail. I MUST return there as soon as possible.
From 5pm visitors could shop at half a dozen or so plant stalls set up on the grass where invited sellers were supplying a wide selection of plants. I was one of these zellers and was pleased to have my plants admired before they left my tender care and went to find their new homes with other people where I'm sure they'll be well looked after and appreciated.
A round of quick "thanks" and "goodbyes" and packing of leftover plants finished a long and hot afternoon then up to 70 or 80 people vanished as if by magic and all of a sudden out lovely weekend was over.
When will the next one be?. 70th Anniv or 75th? Or perhaps sooner."
