A SMALL but select audience came to the August meeting to hear Daphne Everett talk on the story of heather.

Daphne and her husband own the Garden at the Bannut, near Bringsty, on the Herefordshire/Worcestershire border.

Their place used to be a nursery specialising in heathers but is now open to the public, who can see their wonderful collection and enjoy an interesting garden.

The special feature is a heather knot garden.

In parts of Scotland where there is very little other vegetation, heather was used for everything from building and roofing materials to brushes, furniture, hurdles, mats and fuel.

Daphne told about the 650 varieties of heather from South Africa, which are not hardy, and went on to the history of the hybridisation of the hardy British varieties into the many colours and forms we see in garden centres today.

There are heathers to suit most conditions, even fairly limey soils and to suit sunny or semi-shade positions.

Her pictures of heather beds in the gardens of the experts showed how beautiful these somewhat unfashionable plants can be.

The meeting on September 7 will feature a talk by Barry Locke, head gardener for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

The next trip is on October 22 to Westonbirt Arboretum. Places can be booked by contacting the secretary on 01789 765105.