A Highly entertaining presentation by Frank Hardy was enjoyed by many members in the hall including six new visitors. The subject was ground cover which many people consider to consist of low and somewhat uninteresting plants. In a counter intuitive presentation Frank demonstrated that ground cover can often involve quite tall plants; and the criteria for a good ground cover plant is that it should have dense central growth, spread by runners, or self seed and have a root system which is thick and extensive to stop weed grow. He brought along almost 80 plants to demonstrate his ideas and all of these plants were very attractive.

Frank indicated that a sowing of ground cover plants should fully cover the soil within 18 months, so a knowledge of each plant spread is necessary. Despite the fact that these plants are often located in a neglected part of the garden they still require good nutrients with mulches around to prevent early Weed growth. His comment was that the best mulch is recycled compost from the council sites and that gravel also presents a very natural look.

One advantage of these ground covering plants is that they often thrive best when neglected. This is a great advantage to a busy gardener.

The next meeting is Thursday July 21 at 7.30pm in the Crawford Hall, Bidford