Face to face Events
| Date | Location | Event | |
2025 | |||
Tuesday March 18th | South East Branch | RHS Gardens Wisley Magnolias Guided Tour by Jack Aldridge | Philip Eastell 07749278992 philipeastell@hotmail.co.uk |
Saturday 22 March at 10:00 am | North West England & North Wales Branch | Ness Gardens. Ken Cox, of Glendoick Nursery will give us a talk on “Woodland Gardening”. | Ted Brabin 0151 353 1193 northwest@rhodogroup-rhs.org |
Wednesday 26th March | South West Branch | A visit to Coleton Fishacre (National Trust) , Kingswear, Dartmouth, TQ6 0EQ | Ian Gillbard |
Saturday 29th March | Wessex Branch | Annual Spring Show at Ramster Gardens, Chiddingfold, Surrey, GU8 4SN | Sian Thomas wessex@rhododendron-rhs.org |
T.B.A. | South East Branch | Sheffield Park Gardens - National Trust - Sussex TN22 3QY | Philip Eastell 07749278992 philipeastell@hotmail.co.uk |
Tuesday 1st April or Wednesday 2nd April | Wessex Branch | A talk and walk at Leith Hill Place and Rhododendron Wood (National Trust). Each of these dates includes a talk by Seamus O’Brien, Head gardener at the National botanical gardens, Kilmacurragh, Co.Wicklow. | Sian Thomas wessex@rhododendron-rhs.org |
Saturday 5th April | South East Branch | White House Farm - Ivyhatch Kent TN15 0NN | Everard Daniel on 07855 519453 e.daniel4@ntlworld.com |
Sunday 13th April 1-5 pm | New Forest Branch | Lepe House Gardens opening for the NGS This 12-acre woodland garden was laid out in 1893. An embarkation point for D-Day, the lighthouse in the garden now marks the entrance to the Beaulieu River. Distinct areas include a walled garden with camellias, a coastal walk overlooking the Solent, woodland with mature rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias plus an arboretum. Light refreshments included in ticket £10 adults, children free. | communications@rhodogroup-rhs.org |
Monday 14th April Morning 10:30am | New Forest Branch | A tour of Furzey Gardens with Head gardener Andrew Bentley. Furzey has a beautiful collection of plants including camellias, rhododendron, azalea and cornus which were sourced from far-flung regions such as India, China, and Tibet by daring plant hunters of the early 20th Century. First opened to the public in the 1930’s, many of these historic specimens still thrive today, such as the striking Rhododendron macabeanum and Erica x darleyensis ‘Furzey’. Lunch will be in Furzey’s restaurant (at your own expense). Furzey Gardens, School Lane, Minstead, SO43 7GL. Free for members | communications@rhodogroup-rhs.org |
Monday 14th April | New Forest Branch | The House in the Wood, courtesy of member Victoria Roberts. A peaceful 12-acre woodland garden. This is a spring garden with tall, glorious mature azaleas and rhododendrons in every shade of pink, orange, red and white, interspersed with acers and other woodland wonders. A magical garden to get lost in with many twisting paths. The House in the Wood, Beaulieu, SO42 7YN. Free for members Then on to another rhododendron garden nearby courtesy of member Elizabeth Selzer. Here refreshments will be provided to round off the day. Arnwood House, Beaulieu, SO42 7YG. Free for members | communications@rhodogroup-rhs.org |
Tuesday 22nd April | South West Branch | A chance to visit two gardens in one day . Coleton Fishacre (National Trust) in the morning and Greenway Garden (National Trust) in the afternoon. Please note that road access and parking at Greenway is limited and needs to be booked in advance. | Ian Gillbard ian@trebeigh.co.uk |
Thursday 1 May 14-30 to 17:30 | Wessex Branch | Lepe House Gardens As a branch we have wanted to visit Lepe for a couple of years, and we are thrilled to finally make a date with Emma to go there as it is a beautiful location and after a walk around the gardens and arboretum Emma Page our host will provide tea and cake on the terrace overlooking the river. This 12-acre spring woodland garden was first laid out in 1893. An Embarkation point for D-Day, the lighthouse in the garden now marks the entrance to the Beaulieu River. Distinct areas including walled garden with camellias, coastal walk overlooking the Solent, woodland with mature magnolias and rhododendrons, arboretum with drifts of spring bulbs, wildlife ponds plus formal areas with a wishing well. | Sian Thomas wessex@rhododendron-rhs.org |
Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 May | North West England & North Wales Branch | Our annual show will be in the Bulley Room at Ness Gardens | Ted Brabin 0151 353 1193 northwest@rhodogroup-rhs.org |
Wednesday 7th May | South West Branch | An opportunity to visit two Cornish gardens in the one day. Penjerrick Garden in the morning and Penwarne Garden in the afternoon . Note that Penjerrick is now rarely open for visitors and may not be “visitable” for much longer. | Ian Gillbard ian@trebeigh.co.uk |
Monday 12th May Morning 10:30am | New Forest Branch | ‘Beech Copse’ A small oasis packed full of plants. This garden is 0.8 of an acre belonging to Rosemary and Christopher Legrand including highlights of ‘The Hyde’ Collection of azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. The morning will include a demonstration on camellia propagation, and a light lunch is included. ‘Beech Copse ‘, 24. Riverside Road, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset. BH22 0LQ. Numbers visiting are limited, please book in advance. Free for members | Emma Page communications@rhodogroup-rhs.org |
Monday 12th May | New Forest Branch | A tour of Mark and Lorraine Jackson’s outstanding azalea and rhododendron centre/ nursery. They have over 25 years’ experience with rare and unusual varieties. Koirin Azalea Centre, Crossroads Nursery, Wimborne, BH21 8LN. Free for members | Emma Page communications@rhodogroup-rhs.org |
Friday 16th May 10:00 | South East Branch | Guided tour of the National Collection of Ghent Azaleas and Angelo rhododendrons by the Head Gardener Sheffield Park Gardens (National Trust). Please note that numbers are capped at 30 for this visit . | Philip Eastell philipeastell@hotmail.co.uk |
Thursday 22nd May | South West Branch | An afternoon vist to Heathercombe House Gardens, Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9XE | Ian Gillbard ian@trebeigh.co.uk |
Saturday 31st May | RCMG | AGM at 13:45 Centenary Cup Competition in the morning at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens | Robbie Sampson secretary@rhodogroup-rhs.org |
Friday 4th July 16:30 to 19:00 | Wessex Branch | Garden visit and Summer Picnic This is a branch tradition, to hold a garden visit and summer picnic before the summer break. We are delighted that Andy and Jenny Fly have extended an invitation for us to gather at Pinecroft. To walk the garden, relax, enjoy a picnic and chat about the gardening season. What a treat. Bring a picnic and your drinks, feel free to bring your own chairs or a blanket. It will be a special event for us all as we enjoy the start of summer. Andy may even share the hidden secrets in his greenhouses. Please bring £5.00 in cash as we always provide a gift for hosts. | Sian Thomas wessex@rhododendron-rhs.org |
Autumn 2025 | New Forest Branch | A visit to Minterne Gardens. Date (October) and details to be confirmed. | communications@rhodogroup-rhs.org |
Please note - Filming, photography, recording and broadcasting may take place during the event and at the venue you will be attending. By attending you give your express consent to the use of photographs, videos or other images taken at the event for the sole purpose and use for RCM Group publicity , either on-line, on our website or printed material.
