Garden History
Group
Information
|
History
of Rock and Alpine Gardening Study Group (HORAG)
Convenor
- Dr John Page, 18 Shutt Lane, Earlswood, Solihull, B94 6BZ |
Membership
The Study Group has a core membership of around 25 enthusiasts who wish to know
more about aspects of the history of rock and alpine gardening. At HORAG's inaugural
meeting at Clapham, Yorkshire (the home of Reginald Farrer) in 1997, the decision
was taken to stage events in various parts of the country, normally at a venue
of specific interest to members such as Exbury, Madresfield Court, Gravetye
Manor and Holehird Garden. This policy has enabled a further two hundred or
so members of the Alpine Garden Society and its Local Groups to attend the Study
Group's meetings. The group is always keen to welcome new members to any of
its events.
Subscription
There is no fixed annual subscription. Instead, a collection is normally taken
at each event with the aim of covering costs for room hire etc. From time to
time the Alpine Garden Society makes a small grant when funds are low. Donations
are always welcome and should be made via the AGS Centre at Pershore.
Themes
There are normally two meetings a year, which consist of site visits, lectures,
interviews and discussions. It was recognized from the outset that primary research
would be beyond the scope of most members and that the most rewarding course
of action would be for the Group to study materials already in existence around
a particular theme. Nevertheless, much new knowledge has been brought to light,
such as the true nature of the early rock garden at the Chelsea Physic Garden,
the relationship between the wild garden and the alpine garden and the origin
of the important Primula cultivar "Linda Pope".
The Study Group has the secondary objective of relating knowledge gained from a study of the past to present practice. To this end, all meetings now include an interview with a prominent member of the AGS at which the contemporary state of alpine gardening and the recent history of the Society are discussed in detail and recordings made.
Themes studied have included:
- The H C Bidder rock garden at St John's College, Oxford and its replacement.
- The contribution of Reginald Farrer to alpine gardening (a study weekend) and a visit to two of Farrer's gardens.
- Dr Brenda McLean's research for her book on A K Bulley, "A Pioneering Plantsman".
- Joseph Banks and the 1774 rock garden at Chelsea Physic Garden.
- Reginald Kay and his Silverdale Nursery.
- Clarence Elliott's contribution to the world of alpine gardening.
- William Purdom's life and plant introductions.
- The great Backhouse Nursery at York.
- The rock garden at Scampston Hall.
- The Clarence Elliott/E K Balls rock garden at Exbury.
- The new rock garden at Oxford Botanic garden and its predecessors.
- Colonel D G Lowndes and Reginald Farrer as plant collectors.
- The Ingwerson Nursery at Birch Farm.
- William Robinson, the Wild Garden and the Alpine Garden.
- The Pulham dynasty and the Victorian Rock garden.
- A visit to the Pulhamite rock garden at Madresfield Court.
- The study of Primula "Linda Pope".
- Sidney Lilley's visit to Randle B Cooke's garden.
- The restoration of the 1930s rock garden at Bournemouth Town Hall.
DO
YOU WISH TO KNOW MORE?
DO
YOU HAVE SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE OF A THEME LIKELY TO BE OF INTEREST TO US?
If
so, please contact Dr John Page, Convenor of HORAG Specialist Study Group, 118
Shutt Lane, Earlswood, Solihull, West Midlands B94 6BZ
Tel: 01564 702 765 or email: john.page@agsgroups.org