Win two tickets to RHS Wisley

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is a UK charity established to share the best in gardening. Our work is driven by our simple love of plants and the belief that gardeners make the world a better place.

The RHS was given Wisley in 1903, although at that time only a small part of the 60 acre estate was actually cultivated as a garden, the remainder being wooded farmland. The original garden was the creation of George Fergusson Wilson - businessman, scientist, inventor and keen gardener and a former Treasurer of the Society.

While Wisley was taking shape as an ornamental garden, its educational and scientific roles were never forgotten. A small laboratory was opened and the School of Horticulture founded to instruct young people in the principles of horticulture and prepare them for careers as professional gardeners.

Matthew Pottage (MHort RHS) is a Curator at Wisely and currently manages the teams that care for the outdoor, ornamental areas of the flagship garden.  Matthew has a particular interest in ornamental plants, with a specialist interest in Conifers and he enjoys sitting on the committee for the British Conifer Society, where he assists the RHS in its review of the Award of Garden merit (AGM) for the conifer group. Matthew has created some incredible plantings at Wisley using conifers and other plant groups. Matthew is a big fan of Lime Cross and has purchased many conifers from here to plant at Wisley. One that we are particularly proud of is the Pinus montezumae Sheffield Park. 

Win Tickets to RHS Garden Wisley!

Two full price adult entry tickets for Wisley are up for grabs this month for My Garden membership holders.  Simply answer the following question to be in with a chance to win! 

Which country is Pinus montezumae 'Sheffield Park native to?

Email your answer to helen.tate@limecross.co.uk, clearly quoting your name, telephone number and your My Garden card number.  Correct entries will be put into the hat to be drawn on March 31st at Lime Cross Nursery, Herstmonceux. 

The winner will be notified by email and/or telephone.  Closing date for entries: Saturday 28^th February.  Only one entry per person please.

Not a My Garden card holder?  Just ask for a registration form on your next visit to Lime Cross to enjoy the rewards of our membership scheme.

Vicky joins the British Conifer Society Commitee

Vicky Tate (Co-owner of Lime Cross Nursery) has been elected to join the committee of the British Conifer Society 

 

Anyone who knows Vicky will know that she is a green-fingered earth child at heart and that she has a natural understanding and love of plants, as well as being incredible knowable. We are super proud to announce that Vicky has been elected to join the committee of the British Conifer Society (BCS) , this was formalised last Sunday at the society AGM held at RHS Wisley.

 

Jonathan Tate, Vicky's father was a founding member and former vice-chairman of the BCS, it has therefore remained important for the nursery and family to stay involved. Vicky, Diana and Helen Tate all traveled with the society to Ireland in September, where they toured the pinetums, arboretums and significant gardens of the south west. 

 

 The society is made up of over 100 members consisting of experts, enthusiasts and nursery men from all over the world.Chairman Derek Spicer is author of RHS Encyclopedia of Conifers: A comprehensive guide to cultivars and species 

Matthew Pottage (Garden Manager at RHS Wisley)  is another member of the committee, who is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about conifers. Matthew has recently created some truly remarkable plantings using conifers mixed with other plant groups at RHS Wisley, where he is in charge of over 150 acres and a team of over 100 people. 

 

One of the societies primary objectives this year is to focus on recruiting new members. The annual joining fee is £20 which covers the cost of the quarterly journal, as well as lectures in London and the opportunity to attend the annual tour, which this year takes place in California.

 

Please contact Vicky by e mail vicky.tate@limecross.co.uk or call 01323 833229 if you are interested in joining. The only requirement is a genuine love of nature and preferably conifers!  

Like the BSC on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/britishconifersociety for their regular updates and to contact them direct.

 The Pinetum at Lime Cross Nursery