What an amazing evening on Tuesday March 2nd. Surely to be remembered as one of the very best of the many garden talks we have ever had. John Massey from Ashwood Nurseries gave a stunning presentation “A garden for all Seasons” for once leaving me speechless and spellbound by his impressive planting, achieving striking contrasts of form, colour and atmosphere throughout the year.
Without a doubt, John lives and breathes plants with a passion developing over the years the most beautiful strains of Hellebores and Hepaticas enticing me to empty my purse on the many times visiting his nursery. His plants reallyare healthy and in tip top condition.
Apart from his humour and risqué banter causing continual amusement there were some very sound planting tips….. “ buying a plant for a pound and spend ten pounds to 
plant it”. Another….cut down a plant and feed it.” Also, “more the tender, plant deeper and cover with a stone”.
John is such a modest man and yet full of praise for the great garden personalities such as Christopher Lloyd and Fergus Garret. He started work the day after he left school and is completely self taught, yet to my mind has created the highest of standards in horticulture and the accolade of respect by gardeners from all over the world. His lecture tours cover the globe and as I am writing he is travelling to the Sichuan in China hoping to discover a new species of hepatica.
At the end of his talk I think we all felt stunned and quite humbled by his extremely generous donation of £300 fee to the Church restoration fund mentioned in my brief Chairman’s introduction. Thank you so much John.
Ashwood Nurseries is in Kingswinford, DY6OAE just off the A449 and is well worth a visit. His garden will be open on Saturday March 27th 10am-4pm
I would also like to thank sincerely the garden club members who live out of the village for generously donating towards the fund. This was not expected and we are very grateful to you.
Posters are around the village advertising “Cruising with Steve Brooks” which will be a lighthearted evening with Steve giving “Greatest Garden Tips from Around the World” £6 with wine, Tuesday March 23rd, 7.30pm in the Village Hall. This is not a Garden Club venture but one schemed so that your lively contribution will make this a jolly village affair as well as swelling the funds aided by some garden club members. Please come!. Contact me 01789731636, John on 731454, or Helen731388 for tickets or offers to help.