A Year in a Woodland Garden  - A talk by Peter Williams

We were inspired and entertained by Peter Williams from Yorkshire on Tuesday evening, April 9th 2019. We were so lucky to have Peter talk to us about ‘A Year in a Woodland Garden’ at very short notice. Peter was a principal lecturer at York St. John University and is a keen ecologist, plant physiologist, author and the owner of a 2 acre garden which he opens to the public. He is so knowledgeable but he delivered the lecture with such modesty and brilliant photography and mind- boggling modern technology.

He started the lecture in the summer with a meadow where Rhinanthus minor, yellow rattle had become dominant and was overpowering the grasses. He gave us tips on which Meconopsis, Cornus and Lilium were the most reliable and gave good colour. His images of the Arisaema were just stunning as was his speeded up shots of seed disposal. Cylamen, Trycyritis and Autumn crocus then came to fore, with Acers and Cercidiphyllum japonicum, known for its’ smell of burnt toffee, featuring as well. In winter Ajuga, Helleborus (although not his favourite), Hamamelis mollis ‘Jelena’, Robert and Diane were covered. We were advised to buy the Hamamelis when in flower to make sure it was the correct one. In spring the bulbs, perennials and shrubs came into their own with Chionodoxa, Scilla, Erythronium, Corylopsis, Magnolia, Podopyllum, Ajuga, Omphalodes, Camassias and Trilliums. All along the way Peter gave growing and pruning tips and kept our attention.   This was a superb treat from an expert.