THE speaker at our last meeting was Ross Barbour, welcomed for a return visit to Mickleton by Chairman, Pat Cook, Ross gave an illustrated talk on, “Roses need friends too”, with a sub title of “Diversity in the Garden and how to achieve it”.

Ross had been at Ragley Hall for 16 years, now working as a gardener/consultant at Malvern. He started his talk looking at the rose beds in Ragley, and the problems they had with black spot, with weekly spraying to keep it under control, but by the end of the season many of the roses looked far from their best with leaf drop and black spot taking over. The answer appears to be diversifying with other planting including bulbs, use of native plants to attract wildlife to the garden for seeds and food. This also means a longer growing season. With roses, the healthier the plant the less likely for pest and diseases – mycorrhiza helps keep them happy and provides a good start. Planting bare rooted is the best way – work the soil, dig a big hole, provide starter feed and finally water. Roses need to be buried quite deep and below the graft. He suggested when pruning, November is a good time in this area, and not to be frightened of pruning back hard.

Ross went on to talk about biodiversity with wild occupants from organisms through to birds and bees. He talked about the various insects that work hard in the garden including wasps, flies, and spiders, along with the attractive insects we love – bees and butterflies, not forgetting the work that fungi secretly does breaking down the soil below ground level. He spoke about the benefits of leaving aphids which feed other creatures, so don’t destroy all pests. You may find that they eventually lose their grip on plants such as roses, once the wildlife establishes itself in your garden. We can also encourage wildlife by use of nesting boxes, ponds, and compost heaps, as well as leaving log piles and insect houses, easily made by using sticks, canes, old tiles and bricks, not forgetting to provide cover for creatures to hibernate, breed and feed.

Ross then gave some information on wild flower meadows, which may just mean a small starter patch. There is a seed bank hidden amongst the grasses and given the right opportunity you will soon see some of our native wild flora starting to grow. His final thought was to think about how you manage your garden and start to make some small changes.

Ross finished with a Q&A session.

This month’s competition ‘Hips and Haws’ was won by Marion Jones, second Jennifer Collins.

The Chairman mentioned a few things relating to all members – please contact Pat Cook or any committee member for further information:

• Any suggestions for classes at future shows (to June Howse direct please)

• Tickets are selling fast for AGM support in November, so anyone still needing to purchase a ticket should do so as soon as possible

• There are vacancies on the committee if members would like to join

• There is a talk on November 11 at 7.30 by Val Bourne ‘Spring Cottage’ at Ebrington Village Hall with tickets at £7.50 for non members of Ebrington Gardening Club.

Our final meeting this year is the AGM and Supper at Three Ways Hotel on November 19 at 7pm. The competition is ‘Club Motto for 2015’ – an opportunity to have your words on the membership card for the whole of 2015. Our first meeting for 2015 is on January 21 with a talk on Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, with the competition being ‘The Holly & the Ivy”. All welcome.

ANGELA RISTE