We were delighted to welcome back Fergus Garrett on May 13th 2009 to talk to us on Continuous Colour in the Mixed Border. His successful visit two years ago meant that the King Edward Hall was packed!

As Head Gardener at Great Dixter, Fergus worked closely with the late great Christopher Lloyd and has carried on his ideas and philosophy in the gardens. The colourful borders – especially the Long Border – are probably Great Dixter’s best known feature. Fergus emphasised that the principles used in the large borders in Great Dixter could equally apply to planting on a small scale in our own gardens.

Fergus showed with a succession of superb slides how by underplanting and working out when plants will flower and subsequently die down, continuous colour can be achieved.

He emphasised the need for good quality plants which are then well nurtured. He also pointed out that shape and texture are as important as colour and that shrubs and plants with large leaves can make a real impact, as in Great Dixter’s Exotic Garden.

After the talk, members had a chance to chat with Fergus and buy some of the plants he mentioned from a selection he brought from the nursery at Great Dixter. It was a very entertaining evening and a great time was had by all!