Date – 22 October 2020
Time – 6:00 pm
Claire Austin
‘Claire Austin’s Book of Perennials’
A personal selection of reliable hardy perennials for every gardener; the expert as well as the beginner in every type of garden. The new and revised edition includes a section on creating a design style using perennials, as well as planting for wildlife and small urban plots. Featuring superb photographs of Claire’s inspiring plant combinations with clear guidance on how to use colour in the garden. Expert practical advice – from a hands-on experienced grower on choosing, siting and caring for hardy perennials. Descriptions of over 700 recommended plants, including 185 new varieties with close-up photographs and full cultivation information. Beautifully illustrated sections on irises and peonies – special plants that will enhance your garden for years to come.
Claire has been involved in horticulture since 1983 when she joined her father, David Austin, taking over his collection of peonies and irises that he had gathered from around the world. Over the years her collection and knowledge have continued to grow, writing articles for numerous publications and publishing three books. In 1999 Claire set up Claire Austin Hardy Plants and was joined in 2000 by her husband Ric. His enthusiasm and Australian humour, along with Claire’s expertise and the support of a small, industrious team of full time and seasonal employees, have helped the business to continue to develop over the years.
Matthew Biggs
‘RHS The Secret of Great Botanists’
Matthew Biggs is a gardener, writer and broadcaster, who began his career almost forty years ago. He trained at Pershore College of Horticulture and was a diploma student at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where he won the Lecturers Prize for Best Taxonomic Thesis and Best Lecture.
At Junior School he was presented with a book ‘for his wide interests’ a theme which remains throughout his life in horticulture.
He ran a garden design and maintenance business, has been a TV researcher, director and presenter notably of Channel 4’s ‘Garden Club’ was guest expert on LBC Radio’s Gardening phone in for twelve years and a panellist on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Gardeners’ Question Time’ since 2004.
He has a passion for plants and plant history is currently an RHS floral Judge at Chelsea Flower Show and their other shows and a member of their Woody Plant Committee and an Ambassador for the Hardy Plant Society, a member of the Plant Heritage, Plant Conservation Committee and was Course Director of the Plants and Plantsmanship at the English Gardening School.
Matthew has also authored and co-authored fourteen books, including commissions from the RHS and Eden Project. His most resent were biographies: ‘Lessons from Great Gardeners’ and ‘Secrets of Great Botanists’. He is also a regular contributor to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, Gardens’ Illustrated and the RHS Magazine, The Garden.
Feature gardens at Hampton Court Flower Show, 2009, BBC Gardeners’ World Live, 2011; conceptual artist, Hampton Court Flower Show, 2014. Journalist: RHS The Garden mag., 1993–; BBC Gardeners’ World mag., 1994– One man show: ‘One man Two Plant Hunters’ 2017-
Books – (contrib.) RHS Dictionary of Gardening, 1990; Practical Guide to Healthy Houseplants, 1996; Matthew Biggs’ Complete Book of Vegetables, 1997; (with R. Lancaster) What Houseplant, Where, 1998; (contrib.) Gardeners’ Question Time: plant chooser, 2003; (contrib.) Gardeners’ Question Time: Gardening Techniques, 2005; (contrib.) Gardening at Eden and How to do it at Home, 2006; Allotment Days, 2007; Lessons from Great Gardeners, 2015; (with Thane Prince) RHS Great British Village Show, 2017; (jtly) The Plant Messiah, 2017; Grow Something Different to Eat 2018; Secrets of Great Botanists 2018; RHS A Nation in Bloom: Celebrating The People, Plants and Places of the Royal Horticultural Society ,2019.
Botanists are the trailblazers who first discovered how plants work and collected from around the world many of the species that we find in our gardens today. This informative and beautiful guide presents the stories of 35 plant collectors and gardening pioneers of the past and present, including Joseph Banks, Asa Gray and Marianne North.
Arranged in chronological order, each profile covers one botanist, presenting their life story, discoveries and legacy, while special feature pages reveal their secrets, exploring the qualities that brought them success and showing what ordinary gardeners can learn from them.
Illustrated with beautiful period botanical watercolours and vibrant photographs, RHS The Secrets of Great Botanists will provide inspiration and practical guidance for gardeners of all levels, from successful plant cultivation to adding interest to your garden.
Naomi Slade
‘Hydrangeas’
Naomi Slade is an award-winning journalist, designer and presenter, specialising in gardening, environment and lifestyle. With a degree in biology and lifelong love of plants, her books include An Orchard Odyssey (Green Books, 2016) The Plant Lover’s Guide to Snowdrops (Timber Press 2014) and, most recently, the lavishly illustrated Dahlias and Hydrangeas (Pavilion 2018 & 2020).
It is indisputable, hydrangeas are experiencing a renaissance. This humble cottage garden staple is now lauded and rejoiced in; a flower that is becoming not just fashionable, but ultimately desirable. Embraced by floral designers and tastemakers as the epitome of floristry-chic and by landscape architects and home gardeners for their glamorous, versatile and long-lasting blooms.
Celebrating this astonishing flower in all its exuberance, Hydrangeas captures the varying forms and colours that have brought about the ascent of this chameleon bloom.
Following on from the success of Dahlias this contemporary guide features over 50 of the most beautiful hydrangea varieties. From the elegant and airy blooms of Beauté Vendômoise, to bold and brilliant Harlequin, hydrangeas bring style and drama to your garden and home.
Thursday 22nd October 2020 6pm (Zoom webinar)