March 2025
The Spring Meeting will be held on the 23rd March 2025 at Thwaite Gardens in the classroom with the gardens being open before and after. The talk will be at 1:30pm by Dr Peter Williams on Wonderful Weeds.
Summary: Have you ever wondered why weeds thrive despite your best efforts to kill them whilst cherished plants die even though you cosset them? This talk looks at the amazing strategies that annual and perennial weeds use in their battle for survival against the gardener. It does so by telling the stories of selected weeds (e.g. Chickweed, Rosebay Willowherb and Mare’s Tail) that regularly invade the garden. It also covers plants that were initially introduced as garden plants but ‘jumped the fence’ to become weeds in the general environment (e.g. rhododendrons, Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam). Poppies are covered as a special case and their significance as a symbol of remembrance is covered. This is definitely not a dreary tale of common weeds and how to kill them but suggestions for dealing with troublesome weeds will be made if required!
The speaker: Peter Williams is a retired plant scientist with specialist knowledge of plant ecology, physiology and soil microbiology. He is a lifelong gardener and for many years ran a small nursery that specialised in the propagation of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, especially those for acid soils and woodland environments. He now writes about gardening matters for the Hardy Plant Journal and gives talks both locally and nationally.
May 2025
The Friends of Thwaite Gardens Open Day will be held on Sunday 18th May, 11am-4pm. Come and explore the gardens and glasshouses! There will be tree walks, a variety of plants for sale, refreshments, book stall and the ‘All for One’ choir.
Friends of Thwaite Gardens Members free. Non-members £5. Under 16s free.
June 2025
The gardens will be open for Cottingham Open Gardens in support of Dove House Hospice on Sunday 22nd June 10am to 4pm.
August 2025
The Gardens will be open 10th and 24th August 11am to 3pm. Friends of Thwaite Gardens Members free. Non-members £2.
September 2025
As part of Cottingham Heritage Open Days the gardens will be open on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September.
October 2025
Friends of Thwaite Gardens AGM and Autumn Meeting. Details to follow.