The Floriade is a world
horticultural exhibition that takes place every ten years and has now become
the largest public event in the Netherlands.
Up to 3 million people are expected to visit the Floriade between April
and October, and a quarter of these visitors will come from abroad.
An area covering 50 hectares is undergoing a complete transformation.
Features include the Big
Spotters Hill, a panoramic hill that rises 40 metres above the flat
countryside affording magnificent views of the floral valley below which will
contain 1.5 million bulbs, international displays from 800 groups of
nurserymen from 25 different countries. The
foreign entries will have a specially created lakeside position, and the site
will also accommodate the futuristic Green City and the Greenhouse of the
Future.
The visitors will be
surrounded by a brilliant mixture of sensational colours, scents, tastes and
shapes. Entrants will exhibit
fabulous bulbs, perennials, plants, trees, vegetables and fruit. In addition
to the many Dutch contributions, around 800 groups from 25 different countries
are expected to present their wares in exuberant style, lending extra colour
to Floriade 2002.
The second trip is to the Cotswolds over the
weekend of 8th and 9th June where the EHA will visit 6
gardens:
1)
Barnsley
House is near Cirencester. It is a splendid small garden that was carefully
tended by the late Rosemary and David Verey since 1951. Management of the garden
is now with their son, Charles Verey.
2)
Rodmarton
Manor and its garden is an excellent example of the English Arts and Crafts
movement and has been featured in numerous books and magazines.
The garden comprises finely clipped hedges, for which it is famous.
There is a sunken garden, trough garden, terrace and topiary and a wild
garden with a hornbeam avenue. The herbaceous borders are quite magnificent.
The large working kitchen garden, featuring both culinary and ornamental
plants and old apple arches, is immaculate. There is a helpful and interesting
booklet available.
3)
Westonbirt
Arboretum was started in 1829 and was taken over by the Forestry Commission in
1956. It is noted for its vast range of stunning mature specimen trees such as
the famous Japanese maple collections, rhododendrons and magnolias. There is new
planting, for example, the Hillier Glade with ornamental cherries.
Across the valley is Silkwood, with collections of native, Asian and
American species.
4)
Hidcote
Manor Garden near Chipping Campden was created in the early years of the 20th
century by Lawrence Johnston who introduced many new varieties which bear the
name Hidcote. Johnston’s achievement is remarkable because of the isolation of
the hill-top site whose scale can be appreciated by the view from the nearby
entrance to Kiftsgate garden.
5)
Kiftsgate
Court’s house was built in the late 19th century. June and July are
peak months for colour and scent when you can see the magnificent old and
species roses which are the glory of this garden, home of Rosa filipes ‘Kiftsgate’; the perennial geraniums, a large
wisteria and many species of hydrangea, are also abundant.
6)
Snowshill
Manor is a National Trust property near Broadway. From a design by MH Baillie-Scott,
Charles Wade transformed the Cotswold hillside into an interconnecting series of
outdoor rooms in the 1920s. Wade was a believer in the Arts and Crafts rustic
ideal.
The total cost for this
trip is £109 including accommodation in a 3* hotel. A £15 deposit to reserve
your place must be received by 15th February. There will be 2 local pick up
points on the day of departure.
For further details, contact Mrs Pamela
Knowles by
e-mail. outings@ewellhortassn.co.uk
Trips & Outings for 2002