Our speaker in March was the garden designer Eliza Gray, writes Gillian Hipwood, from Mendip Gardening Club.

Eliza explained that her first consultation with her client does not take place in the garden. She first gets to know her client and exactly what their expectations are. Is it to be a busy family space? Are there pets to be accommodated? Or is it to be a peaceful sanctuary for relaxing? Patio or lawn? Flower borders or shrubbery?

Armed with this information, Eliza visits the space to be developed and has to consider size, terrain, sun, shadow, boundaries, etc. She then sets about drawing up images for the client to consider.

Finer details can then be explored. Hard surfaces, paving or gravel? Is it in keeping with the existing buildings? Special consideration has to be given if the garden is attached to a listed property.

Eliza showed stunning photographs of “before and after” gardens, leaving us with lots of ideas!

At our April meeting, we held a sale, with a wide range of plants and seeds on offer.

Howard Burnet was our speaker. Howard told us about his love of orchids, which began when he, by chance, visited an orchid grower during the course of his work years ago. He bought an orchid that day and the rest is history. Over the years, his knowledge and orchid collection has grown, and Howard is now an orchid judge. Members had brought their poorly plants along and were advised accordingly.

At our next meeting, we will be welcoming back ‘Higgy’, who previously spoke on moths and butterflies. This time his topic is ‘Creating Ponds and Water Features for Wildlife’.

We will be meeting at Ston Easton Village Hall, BA3 4DA on Wednesday, May 21. The hall will be open from 7pm and the talk will start at 7.30pm.

A warm welcome awaits visitors and members alike.