The May meeting of the Garden Club was introduced to Jill Fry from Thursley who gave a talk on `Flowers  of the Chalk Downs'. She showed us a geographical map of England and Wales which indicated the different type of soil  to be found.

The soil layer on top of the chalk that supports plants is mostly between six and eight inches but can be up to ten inches in some places. Consequently the vegetation has to be shallow rooted and able to tolerate lime. This has resulted in many plants that have very small flowers, and require you to get down to their level to appreciate their beauty. The flowers that emerge in Spring and Summer support many varieties of butterfly and moth which can only be found on chalk downs.

Jill showed us some colourful slides taken in Kent and Sussex. A yellow swath of Cowslips with some Juniper bushes dominated Norhill. Grassland flowers include the pretty pink Knapweed, Wild Carrot and sweet smelling Wild Marjoram. Tiny white flowers with a bright yellow centre, Eye Bright will feed on other plants to get nutrients. Summer Vernet tastes like cucumber and pink Briar Roses smells like ripe apples  (They are similar to the dog rose found in hedgerows but are more highly perfumed)  Juniper is a native conifer (along with Scots pine and Yew) which has cones that drop off after seeding and black berries which taste of Gin. At Beacon Hill you can find Knapweed, Scabious, Horseshoe Vetch, and Kidney Vetch. We were also shown the Silver Leaf plant which has tiny hairs on it's leaves, this traps moisture and Tinkers Curse a tiny Thistle which has small pink flowers and spiky leaves. 

Chalk Woodlands Found in this environment is Spurg Laurel which has small yellow florets and large green leaves; these plants thrive in lime soil. Stinking Hellibore has large upright leaves and green flowers, it is poisonous and is mentioned in the writings of Gilbert White.

Wild Orchids The Orchid slides were impressive and included the Early Purple Orchid, Early Spider, found on the Dorset Coast, Fly Orchid, and the Bee Orchid.  The Bee Orchid was found on Hankley Common near to the Atlantic Wall. The plant likes lime soil and this had leeched out from the concrete of the Wall over the years making it an ideal habitat. After flowering, the Bee Orchid dies away completely and can take eight years before coming back into flower again. Jill informed us that indeed it was there, in the same site eight years later.  The Frog Orchid is only two inches high and very difficult to find. Beachy Head was the venue for the Monkey Orchid.  The show finished with a picture of a stunningly pink Pyramid Orchid of the late Summer found in grassland.

Jill was thanked for her interesting and informative talk by the Vice Chairman, Keith Pierce.  He reminded members to bring cakes and plants to be sold at the Plant Sale at the URC Hall on 20^th May. Open for Sale at 10.00 am. 

A visit to the National Trust gardens Nymans, near Haywards Heath is planned for June 10^th. Members who haven't got their name down and wish to attend please telephone Diana Terry 01252 702338 or Susan Holmes 01252 702285

The next meeting  is at the URC Hall at 7.45 pm  on Monday 12^th June where the speaker Mr N. Ingate will talk on `Roses for Garden and Exhibition'  new members and visitors are welcome.