Herald - Issue 408

Page 46 • The HERALD • 24th June 2021 v THE HERALD - INDEPENDENT AND PROUD OF IT v GARDEN MAINTENANCE Covering the New Forest and Totton GRASS CUTTING, HEDGE TRIMMING, SHRUBS & SMALL TREES PRUNED, WEEDING & WINTER TIDY UP etc No Job Too Small Contact Christian 07780 479776 | DOWN THE GARDEN PATH | Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH or email editor@herald-publishing.co.uk BEAULIEU HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Fortunately the rain held o for the welcome resumption of activities for Beaulieu Horticultural Society when members gathered in the early a ernoon of Tuesday 25th May in the delightful Furzey Gardens, Minstead for a talk, walk and tea. In his introduction, Peter White, the Head Gardener, commented that May was undoubtedly the nest month to visit and that the exceptional amount of rainfall this May was bene ting the plants if not the visitors! He gave them a interesting overview of the history of the Gardens, which will be celebrating its centenary in 2022. In the 1920’s and 1930’s, a signi cant planting of trees and rhododendrons, many being new introductions from plant hunters, took place. Many of these have grown into Champion Trees and special rhododendrons which survive in the gardens today. Inevitably the war years took their toll and the Gardens su ered from some neglect until they were bought by a young man, Tim Selwood, in 1972. He established a charitable trust leading to a slow revival. Since the 1980’s it has been part of the Minstead Trust, a local charity that relies on charitable donations to provide training and support for people with learning disabilities. At Furzey, they maintain the Gardens, serve in the tea rooms and grow the plants for sale. In the 1990’s signi cant new plantings of Acers, Magnolias and Japanese chestnuts have been added to enhance the autumn colour. In the last 15 years, the Gardens have been renovated. An adventurous natural play area has been created which, along with fairy doors hidden among the trees, makes it a delightful garden for children to visit. e Gardens have also been an inspiration for a Gold Medal winning exhibit, designed by Chris Beardshaw and grown by the Minstead Trust gardeners, at Chelsea Flower Show in 2012. Members greatly enjoyed wandering along the winding paths with delightful vistas. e Gardens were looking at their full Spring glory with the wonderful fresh greens of the many unusual trees and oak canopy layer and the dazzling display of colour from the rhododendrons and azaleas, all enhanced by the perfume of the deciduous azaleas. e cool wet weather has favoured the damp loving candelabra primulas which created a very colourful carpet. It was an upli ing display of natural beauty, so welcome a er many months of COVID-19 lockdown. We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful place to visit locally. embers then enjoyed a ernoon tea and cake and the opportunity to buy plants. On ursday 24th June at 2pm, members had a tour and tea at Shallowmead Nursery, Boldre. A ernoon talks are planned in September and October. On Saturday 7th August Beaulieu Horticultural Society will be holding a Summer Show with a plant stall and refreshments at East Boldre Village Hall, open for public viewing at 2.15pm. New members always welcome. Contact: 01590 612408. Beaulieu Horticultural Society members enjoying their visi to Furzey Gardens