Members of the Group visited Mr and Mrs Urquhart’s home in Banbury Road, Kidlington, as part of the National Gardens Scheme open days. Mary writes: “An unexceptional house in Kidlington conceals an exceptional garden Actually, it is two gardens, ‘his’ and ‘hers’ imaginatively intermingled. ‘His’ contains no less than 500 ferns, ranging from tree ferns tall, thin, short and fat, through a multitude of fans of elegant or crinkly fronds to tiny crevice-fillers. The tender ones are cared for in their own fern house; the majority are spread out under trees, in a rockery or cleverly interspersed in ‘her’ borders among many unusual and colourful plants. This is a garden full of interest and surprises”.

In late May, the Group had an enjoyable visit to a beautiful garden in Bletchingdon.

Mary writes: “‘Let the plants make their own way.’ That is the guiding principle recommended by noted plantswoman Sue Bedwell to the twelve members of the Garden Club on their group visit on 21 May. Sue’s garden, Monk’s Head, is attached to a picturesque cottage in the conservation village of Bletchingdon. It is a standard-size garden divided into ‘rooms’ of varying character by winding stone paths and unusual trees and shrubs. The borders are an intriguing and comfortable mix of exotic varieties of euphorbia, iris, succulents and much more, nestled in with familiar primroses and less familiar white herb robert. The overall effect is testament to a plantaholic’s years of work and care ‘letting the plants make their own way’. About-to-fledge bluetit nestlings stopped us from having tea in the summerhouse but a corner of the lawn and the garden room were delightful substitutes. As we left the first spots of rain were falling; perfect timing for us, and a reminder that nature shapes the garden and we do best when we go along with it.”