About the Kent Group

The Hardy Plant Society 'Explores, encourages and conserves all that is best in gardens' The Kent Group is one of several regional groups of the Hardy Plant Society. Only those who are already members of the Hardy Plant Society are eligible to join the Kent Group. It is, however, possible to join both at the same time. Since its formation in 1988 the Kent Group has gained enthusiastic support by providing a varied programme of events throughout the year including Plant Sales, Garden Visits, Lectures, Practical Demonstrations, Workshops and an annual Garden Show at various locations throughout the county of Kent. A recent innovation has been the formation of Area Groups within the Kent Group. At present there are seven of these groups covering regions around Sevenoaks, South East London, Cranbrook, Canterbury, The Mallings, Faversham and Dover. The groups are organised by local volunteers and their range of activities varies, depending on the interests and involvement of local members. Membership of the Kent Group at present stands at about 400. New members are always welcome.

Kent Group Activities
Updated 10th December 2006

Meetings Meetings are held from September to March, usually on the last Sunday of each month except for December. The main feature of each meeting is an illustrated lecture by well-known and local experts. These cover a wide range of subjects related to plants and gardens and are held at different locations across the county. Speakers in the past have included Christopher Lloyd, Roy Lancaster, Stephen Lacey, John Bond and Christopher Grey-Wilson. Additonal features of meetings are Plant Sales Table to which members bring plants for sale, keeping 75% of the price with 25% going to Group funds. Members collect their money and any unsold plants at the end of the afternoon. Sometimes speakers also bring plants for sale. Book Sales Table This operates in a similar manner. A slip of paper with the name of the vendor and the price required is put into each book, 25% going to Group funds. Members collect their money and unsold books at the end of the afternoon. Plant Display Tables which host a non-competitive display to which members bring plants relevant to the season or the subject of the lecture or of general interest for the enjoyment of other members Raffle Normally there is a raffle which is drawn after the lecture, the prizes usually being a selection of plants. Teas The ever-popular refreshments offering tea or coffee and a selection of home-made cakes follow the lecture while members mingle and make their purchases from the plant sales tables. Christmas Meeting This fairly recent introduction to the Kent Group programme is usually held a week or two before Christmas. The Christmas Meeting is for members and their guests only. The current format is morning coffee followed by an informal talk, lunch (provided by members on a bring and share basis) and a light-hearted quiz, finishing up with tea and mince pies. This is an informal, festive event which provides a good opportunity for members to get to know each other. Garden Plant Sales During the season, plant sales are held in gardens open to the public. These are attended by specialist nurseries and members are able to rent a site to sell their own plants to other visitors. Sometimes a sales table is arranged where members can bring plants for sale keeping 75% of the price as at lecture meetings. Garden Visits Visits to members' gardens, private gardens and specialist nurseries feature regularly in the Kent Group programme. Some are open visits when everyone can attend and others are restricted to just a small number so that members can talk about the plants in more detail. At least once a year we organise a coach trip to gardens and nurseries further afield. Study Days & Workshops These provide opportunities to learn about the many different aspects of gardening with perennials. Propagation Days are held to give practical experience of the most suitable methods of propagating a wide variety of plants. Study Days may concentrate on a particular genus, type of plant or subject. Other topics have included plant identification, photography and botanical illustration. Garden Show This is the main event in the Kent Group's year. It combines a garden visit, a competitive flower show and a plant sale with some twenty to thirty specialist nurseries taking part. Members also stage beautiful displays providing an opportunity to see and discuss the huge variety of plants they grow. Newsletter All members receive the quarterly Newsletter - Winter - Spring - Summer - Autumn - to keep them informed of Group activities. Contents include details of coming events such as lecture meetings, workshops, shows, garden visits and coach tours as well as reports on past events, articles on propagation, on particular plants or groups of plants, members' plant-hunting expeditions and other matters of general interest. Members are welcome to contribute articles, information, news and views. A list of Members' Gardens open to the public for charity is included with the Spring Newsletter. e-mail reminder service Members who subscribe to this sevice have monthly reminders of activities sent by e-mail blind copy (which avoids revealing the subscriber's e-mail address to other recipients.)