The Autumn 2026 meeting will be on Sunday 25th October 2026 at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst (near Tadley, between Basingstoke and Reading) RG26 5LU​​ https://www.heathendvillagehall.co.uk/

In the morning, Jonny Hartnell will talk on “An overview of the Nerine genus including cultivation and propagation”.

Jonny has always had a real passion for plants and this really took off following retirement from a fascinating career in the nuclear industry. A relocation back to Somerset (close to where he originally grew up) has given him the space and time to really expand his horticultural interests. He grows a huge range of plants in various greenhouses, polytunnels, indoors and in the garden. The range includes South African bulbs (he has previously been chairman of the Nerine and Amaryllid Society and continues to be heavily involved as treasurer and organising the bi-annual bulb and seed exchange), orchids (including both hardy and tropical, showing at Devon Orchid Society shows), woodland plants including snowdrops, tree ferns, as well as trying to be self sufficient in fruit and vegetables. He gives a range of talks to garden clubs on his interests including his travels to various parts of the world visiting botanic gardens and nature reserves.

In the afternoon, in addition to any other short talks which are offered or discussions which happen, our new Treasurer Mark Wessels will give a talk on “The life and plants of the Hutton’s – 19th century Cape Colony plant collectors”.

Mark’s interest in South African plants was initiated following a holiday to the Western Cape a number of years ago. Since that time, he has taken a special interest in geophytes from the region and enjoys the challenges of growing Gladiolus and Moraea species, and has just started collecting Nerine species. Although most of the collection of bulbs are winter growing, he is interested in growing summer flowering species for garden planting. Mark also has a small collection of pelargoniums and ‘mesembs’. Having moved to North Yorkshire from Norfolk the change in weather/climate has meant new ideas and practices have had to be adopted to ensure success with the South African plants. He has an interest in plant collectors and exploration along with botanical illustration although he is a ‘hopeless’ painter! [Mark’s words, not mine!]

Further details will be posted here in due course, including Directions to the meeting hall.

The provisional timetable is: The doors will open at 10.00, and the meeting will close at about 15.00. SABG and NAAS members, their guests and visitors are welcome. There will be a small admission charge. Parking is free.

As in previous meetings, there will be a display table for any plants that you bring along for others to see. We will have time for some informal discussion during the afternoon, so that members can point out their plants and answer any questions. If you have any slides or computer images that you would like to show, please bring them along.

All who are interested in growing these plants will be welcome. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. and the meeting will finish at approximately 2:30 p.m. There is an entry fee of £3.00, but parking is free. There will as usual be a plant display table, plant sales (a good reason to arrive soon after 10:00!), and tea and coffee with biscuits. There will also be some books for sale. You are encouraged to bring along any plants you wish to display or sell, or digital photos to share with the audience. Bring your own lunch, or pop into Sainsbury’s next door for a sandwich.

The timetable we plan is as follows:

More details of our meetings are given on the meetings page.