Annual Charity Open Day

April 21st 2013
Hardy's annual charity open day in aid of Naomi House Childrens Hospice.
Come and join us and have an enjoyable day.

Here is what it is all about pictures from the 2012 open day.

We don't do the collecting of free change by halves no small collecting tins here a bucket is so much better and our customers are very generous.
In 2012 we raised £1500.00

It is not just the nursery to come and look around, also invite locals who are involved in traditional trades. This young man has used his skills a fencer to do hurdle making and also hedge laying. If you drive up the B3400 from Overton to Basingstoke you will see his work.

Even the sales shed gets bunting to brighten up the day.

Inside our large potting shed everything is not as usual. It has been cleared out to give more space for other interests. This is our village apiarist (Bee Keeper) Mike and he was happily explaining bee keeping and hives to many of our visitors.

Again this shows the space available for the tea and coffee area. also in the background the Naomi house table.
2012 our wettest year but we had a fine day for the open day if a bit cool.

Plenty of visitors buying on the day at our annual discounted rate 10% off all plant purchases.

What is grown in and behind the polytunnels? well open day gives our customers the opportunity to have guided tours.
The chance to see behind the scenes and get a sneaky preview of plants that will be exhibited at the Chelsea flower show.

The tours go on throughout the day and are very popular some people coming around more than once this is all free.

All tours are guided by myself with plenty of inside knowledge divulged.

Then at the end of the day we draw the prize winning ticket. The tickets are free, one per person coming through the entrance. The chance to win 2 tickets to the Tuesday of Chelsea flower show (First day).
Of course the tickets have to be drawn from a large flowerpot!!










hardys-plants.co.uk

Lathyrus vernus (Papilionaceae)

Lathyrus vernus the spring sweet pea such a bad common name for this fabulous little plant. Yes it is the pea family, but it does not climb nor have a perfume like a sweet pea. A better common name is the spring Vetchling which it bears more resemblance to.

Lathyrus vernus

This is the true specie which is the most
commonly offered variety.
Mostly seed grown so there can be some
variation in the stock.

Lathyrus verus 'Dama Emily'

There are many named varieties in varying

colours and shades. With either keel or wing petals

different hues.

Lathyrus vernus Dark Pink

Lathyrus vernus Nearly Blue

Lathyrus vernus Pendulus

Even some with pendulous habit or dwarf.

Lathyrus vernus gracilis Pink Form

The gracilis forms have very narrow long leaflets and as such can cope with slightly dryer conditions.
All of these plants are good for semi shade.

hardys-plants.co.uk

New plant Launches for Chelsea 2013

Nepeta grandiflora 'Summer Magic'

Chelsea is a hotbed of new plant varieties.
These 3 beauties are all English born and bred......

Nepeta grandiflora 'Summer Magic'

Gaillardia 'Fanfare Blaze'

Gaillardia 'Fanfare Blaze'

Leucanthemum 'Real Neat'

Leucanthemum 'Real Neat'

So be some of the first people to see these plants in the flesh and visit us at the Chelsea flower show 21st - 25th May 2013

hardys-plants.co.uk

The off season?

So what does a nursery woman do in her spare time?
"What spare time Rosy are you talking about? Well you know when the nursery is closed for the winter months..."
This of course is when a lot of the preparation occurs for the next year. Okay so I am not out at plant sales or manning the sales area at weekends but I have to do blogs! get the plant orders finalised and many other things. From November until the end of February I am also not doing garden talks, as I prefer to do live plant demonstrations rather than powerpoint.

But also there is time to play in the water..
I am an avid scuba diver and whenever possible I will try to go out and get wet...
This can involve getting cold diving in the UK both in the sea and inland.
Or somewhere just that bit warmer such as Egypt or Lanzarote.

Uk dive boat off Swanage

Egypt

Egypt

Uk diving

Egypt

Inland dive site Vobster Quay

So there you go a little taster with my very amateur photos from the depths,
not too deep it gets too dark!

Is it really a plant nursery?

Bramble

I do not have a dog any more but get the best of both worlds by allowing my staff to bring theirs in with them. I do not have to feed them, pay any extortionate vets bills or even go out in all weathers to exercise them.....

Milly "I do really like alpine strawberries"

Little things Grow up

I am intelligent really

If the NZ sheepdogs can drive why cant I

There is one more in this dog line up but she is camera shy and that is Maisy.

So who else do we have in the menagerie?

Oh dear I am not so well camouflaged as my sister!

Clydicus!

Bonny and Clyde the feral beasties

Bonny hiding just after being the star on TV for Chelsea. Unfortunately 2 weeks later she went missing....

There have been others but they are no longer with us.
Visitors to the nursery are welcome to bring their dogs too as long as the keep them on leads.
We do seem to get a wide range of varied breeds visiting.

hardys-plant.co.uk

Radio appearaces

Radio Berkshire with Ann Diamond is the program you are most likely to hear me on as a regular on her morning chat show. Recently when I have been on it has been Tony Blackburn doing the presenting and it is always a hoot...

At Chelsea flower show we are on many of the local radio stations as they have many reporters there looking for local exhibitors. Guernsey radio is also a yearly appearance due to links with the Channel Isles having exhibited at floral Guernsey and also doing lectures over there. All of these are done live so you do have to be aware that language should not be too colourful!