Third Czech International Rock Garden Conference -May 2017

[Maggi Young]

Harman Laporte from Belgium, seen having a coffee with ZZ - so there may be Daphnes for sale from Herman too....


This picture of the rock garden in the nearby park is from Chris B.

[fermi de Sousa]

The Third International Czech Rock Garden Conference got off to a great start. We were welcomed by Ivan Suchara the director of RILOG (Research Institute Of Landscape and Ornamental Gardening) and the Team of the Conference. Martin Hajman, a transplant from Pruhonice to Tromso, started off with an introduction about Pruhonice Dendrological Institute and the importance it played over more than a century of horticulture in the area. Janis Ruksans also related how he first got crocus from here (and had to sneak them back into Latvia!) so we owe a lot to this Institute!
Bob Wallis took us to the heights of Turkish mountains with some of his explorations highlighting some of his favourite flowers.
After the "official" talks there were some "non-mandatory" sessions starting with Martin Sheader's "Cushion Nightshades of Patagonia" - excellent as always and making us all envious! Janis spoke a bit about his book on crocus (he will have supplements soon as the number of species keeps increasing!) and Vojtech Holubec told us about a new book he is preparing with David Horak on the Tian Shen - in effect "a second volume after the Caucasus" book he released which many of us already have on our bookshelves. We have a chance now to per-order to help with its publication.
Lastly but definitely not least we heard from two "youngsters" - Paul Spriggs from Canada and Kenton Seth from USA - about the Crevice Gardening diaspora spreading into North America. Those who went to bed early missed out on some real treats!
Apart from the joy at meeting so many friends - many who have been to the previous two Czech RGG Conferences - it has been an exciting time to see what has happened in rock gardening in the last few years. To me one of the best things is seeing a younger generation who are just as enthusiastic as us "mad oldies"!
cheers
fermi

[Maggi Young]

A couple of pix from fermi  of the Castle gardens






This picture by Oron Peri is of fermi with Panayoti Kelaidis, as they try to establish a "shirt of the day" trend. Behind the terrible two anre Marie Paginton - and the top of Diane Clement's head!

[Maggi Young]

Again from fermi -  Martin Hajman, who was the  leader of the castle garden walk - is he delivering the sermon on the mount?



no, he is actually explaining how he created this area for cacti 20 years ago! And it has been very successful! (Martin works now at the Tromso Botanic Garden)

[Maggi Young]

From the posts by the Conference Team .... Elke and Rudi Weiss - I am so sorry not to see them this time in person. 

[Maggi Young]

The assembled  gang at the  Castle yesterday.....

[angie]

Maggi we are all missing you here. I know you are missing Ian so thought this might help.
Two good looking boys.

Angie 

[angie]

Just in case one picture of hubby wasn't enough here is another 

Angie 

[Maggi Young]

My word, his sun hat is quite the fashion statement, isn't it?!!   

[Maggi Young]

Trying a link to a video from Facebook - I don't know if it will work...

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Zdenek Zvolanek  playing the accordion, with his Bonny, Zdena, to the right of the picture.
 These video clips are by Caroline Seymour from Poole.

[Maggi Young]

Some more party clips from Caroline....

s

- ZZ again - on guitar this time.

s

   - Paul Spriggs from Canada - not the type of song he usually plays, I don't think!

[Maggi Young]

Some more photos from Angie.....

the Dutchman from Canada- Arie Van Spronsen


Ian Young and Julia Corden take their ease


Liz Mills, Paul Cumbleton, Richard Green, Julia Corden, Matt Topsfield, Pat Watson and Ian Y.


Minna and Kai Andersen, with Carol Marriott  behind


Olga B. and Elena D.

[Maggi Young]

Paul Spriggs and ZZ  "jammin'" - Dieter Zschummel is to the right



Susann Nilsson and Michael Mauser

[Maggi Young]

Bit of garden visiting going on now  .... from the garden of Vojtech and Lenka Holubec -

Vojtech  by Panayoti Kelaidis

 Two pix from fermi .....
some retail therapy.... Elisabeth Zander with a big smile - and I spot  Oron Peri and Olga Bondareva there too! And that's Dieter Zschummel in the centre.....  happy souls!
 


photographers having a ball in the Holubec garden

[Maggi Young]

Now from fermi at the garden of the Alpine Parrots - the Papousek family.....

SRGC Emblem in the  garden - Dryas octopetala


Jiri addressing the masses - Harrie de Vries in front -  Jiri on top of the  rock garden extending from the tufa tunnel to the front of their house.