GUILD MEMBERS VISIT HAVELOCK GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 11, 6 October 1937, Page 11

GUILD MEMBERS VISIT HAVELOCK GARDEN

Many members of the garden circle of the Hastings Townswomen's Guild spent a most enjoyable afternoon on Monday when Mr. P. F. Hunter 's home in Havelock North was visited. A particularly pleasaut afternoon was spent in this beautiful and rather uuusual garden which is cultivated with a much more natural appearance than many of the rather formal gardens which are seen. The visitors were met at the' gate by Mr. Hunter and Miss Hunter, and were made most welcome. Mr. Hunter accompanied his guests round the garden, and everyone very much appreciated the way in which he spared no trouble to explain the various plants and to give much help with regard to their names and their growth. When wandering up from the gate a wonderful hedge of rosemary, wide and well trimmed, right up one side of the drive, was greatly admired. . On the opposite side was a long rock garden with a mervellous colleetion of rock plants, rock phlox and anemones, tiny plants a mass of mauve, delicate pink or blue fiowers, mauve and magenta shaded ice plants, the whole making a wonderful blaze of colour. The choicest plants were all named, and these were a great help to the less experienecd gardeners. Higher up the hill towards the house were larger shrubs and many creepers, while a triangular bed at the foot of the garden was bright with many coloured very ehoice nemesias. In between the nemesia were planted gladioli to fill the bed when the nemesia die down. Richest red verbenas were intermingled with very deep orange freesias with charming effect. The lawns were an effeetive background for the numerous bright beds of fiowers, and the plants in the rose-beds looked fine and healthy. After wandering into every part of the garden the members sat on the lawn, and while enjoying their afternoon tea were able to admiro a beautiful view. Mrs. J. B. Pickering expres&ed the thanks which all the members felt to Mr. Hunter for the treat which they had enjoyed.