HELENA Gerrish’s topic in March was ‘The Life and Times of Henry Avray Tipping’. Helena lives at High Glanau Manor near Monmouth, the last of twenty gardens designed by Tipping, who was Architectural Editor of Country Life and a prolific writer on the subject of English homes. Tipping built High Glanau Manor as his retirement cottage in the Arts and Crafts style, and believing that a house should sit at ease with nature, he took care to line the windows up with the garden features and spectacular views. When Helena moved to High Glanau, there were no herbaceous plants left and she set about restoring the garden to its former glory. Guided by historical photographs and using 2,000 plants, a swimming pool was removed and replaced with long borders as per the original design.

We next meet on Saturday, 8 April at 2pm, Crowle Parish Hall, WR7 4AZ. Kim Hurst of the Cottage Herbery in Tenbury Wells will speak on ‘Herbidacious’. Kim is bringing plants, seeds and books for sale and there will be a raffle and refreshments. Visitors very welcome at £3. For more information about our activities and membership visit: www.worcs-hardy-plant.org.uk

JAYNE SAVAGE