On 2^nd March 2007 Aubrey Barker came to talk to the SCG on  “Plants for the Modern Herbaceous Border” at the Cookham Dean WI Hall. There was a good turn out for the talk and several people remembered Aubrey’s previous talk at the Golf Club in Hazlemere several years ago, when he brought samples of shrubs from his garden centre, Hopleys in Hertfordshire.

 

Aubrey had planned the talk by colours and had a slide for every plant that he talked about, with examples of how drifts of colour can be so effective. He started off with blue with the Himalayan Poppy, which always has been difficult to grow, but Aubrey said that there were varieties that were not too difficult.

 

He then went through the mauves, pinks and maroons, through the yellows to silver and whites, with a short foray into grasses, which are becoming very popular in the herbaceous border. Although many of the plants mentioned were well known, Aubrey had chosen some more obscure varieties, which were particularly attractive. It was such a pleasure to have someone so knowledgeable about their subject.

 

Aubrey had also brought some magnificent Hellebores with him, some of which were double and these were snapped up by the attendees. There were the usual refreshments, so that everyone could chat with Aubrey about the plants he had mentioned. A really interesting evening was had by all. There is the opportunity to visit Hopleys later on in the year and see some of the plants mentioned.