GARDENING SOCIETY: The New Year got off to an excellent start with a brilliant and amusing speaker, Bob Brown of Cotswold Garden Flowers in Badsey. His subject was Unusual Perennials. He stated that plants that are new, rare and unusual are usually that because they are no good, where as plants that are old, dead common and unfashionable are usually very good. He is very aware of plant fashions and he believes these are led by the flower arrangers. With this in mind he joined The Cheltenham Flower Club, but was somewhat out numbered by the 300 ladies in the club! He showed some excellent slides, beginning with a double bindweed flower, which not one of the members could recognise. He believes gardeners should grow plants that have vigour. Examples of this are: Primula Wanda which is indestructible and will grow in the shade of a tree will flower from October to March, Hellebores, choose ones with white flowers, as those with yellow tend to die out and dark flowers are not easily seen in dark winter days, Tulips, grow apeledoorn which will not die and splendidi which seeds itself in grass and sylvestris which propagates by runners. He recommends Michaelmas Daisies as they are plants to look forward to in September, but always grow ones that do not suffer with mildew, Violet Queen is strongly recommended, Elderberries can be grown as perennials and will also give a quick shrub effect, Thunderclap has black leaves. He discussed the value of Oriental poppies, which do have vigour, but you should choose those with strong stems and good colours, Julian and Raspberry Queen. He was very rude about the common red-hot poker (kniphofia) but other varieties are excellent such as Mermaid and Candlelight. He thinks the next fashion in gardens is for Dead Looking Gardens and he showed us plants that would go well in this type of garden. The chairman closed the meeting reminding members they could volunteer to be part of the team for the Inter-club Horticultural quiz in Blockley on February 19. The next meeting is on February 15 at the Crawford Hall when Angela Tandy will be speaking on Ferns and Ivies. The competition will be A Spray of Ivy.