'Climbers, scramblers and ramblers' was the advertised title of the talk in Manorbier Parish Hall last week. It sounds like a meeting of the Pembrokeshire Himalayan Mountaineering Society, but it was not Chris Bonnington who appeared on the platform at the Gardening Club in Manorbier last week, but that intrepid adventurer Garald White.
Gerald soon put everyone right about the correct heading for his discourse: 'Ramblers, scramblers and climbers', he said, rolled off the tongue much better. As a favourite, regular speaker, Gerald's extensive horticultural knowledge was no surprise to members. There was an eager air of expectation in the packed village hall.
Gerald was soon well under way, starting with the basics. The 'verbs' used within the nouns in the title covered an enormous range of plants, he explained, so some definitions were needed. These labels can cause a great deal of confusion and frustration so it was imperative for the gardener to understand that the different categories of 'climber', 'scrambler' and 'rambler' meant exactly what they said. Understand those words, choose the plant and its situation carefully and you could expect success.
Roses were a popular choice for many gardens so one needs to remember that rose ramblers gain four to six feet in height after planting, then drop down which means they will then need the right support to enable them to 'ramble'.
A climber, however, like Rambling Rector (he never said this was going to be easy) will climb for 10 to 12 feet, hook on to supports, then it takes off like Sherpa Tensing for another 20 feet. The better prepared the sites and the firmer the supports, the more successful the effect will be. 'Wedding day', a climber, will reach 30 feet in height and will provide six weeks of glorious flowers - the correct choice for the right situation is vital.
In summary so far, ramblers grow about five feet vertically then wander off if left unattended. Scramblers grow at an angle of 45 degrees then wander off. Climbers are like Sir Edmund Hilary - off to the summits of the world.
Gerald went on to give knowledgeable advice about out-of-control plants and how to prune not persecute. He spoke about camellias, vines, wisteria, quince and other garden favourites. He made useful suggestions about fixings, surprising some members by recommending two-by-two battens and the judicious use of hooks, eyes and plastic covered curtain spirals.
Members learnt, or were reminded, how to tend to vines, how to train plants against walls and how to ensure healthy new growth each year. They had stern warnings about ivies and climbing hydrangeas and excellent advice about white jasmine. When Gerald moved on to clematis and his (now famous) direct question all his audience could do was wave their hands in the air to explain the methodology of clematis in mountaineering mode.
Clematis, said Gerald with some considerable authority, like scrambling best. You can show them off well in a garden by allowing them to scramble freely over a tree or even up and down a scree slope.
Members were asked which clematis plant should be selected for growing over unsightly tree stumps. 'Hendersonia' answered Mrs. Henderson before Mr. Henderson could reply. Gerald asked a gentleman halfway down the hall. "What's Dan's Mistake?' "I don't know," came the reply. "I only cut the grass." Everyone dared to laugh.
It was clear from the atmosphere in the hall that Gerald was hitting just the right notes; explaining, demonstrating, sharing his extensive experience and finally answering queries with patience and application.
Finally, the deputy-chair, Mrs. Pat Henderson, thanked him warmly, on behalf of the club members, who endorsed what she had said with loud applause. All too soon it was over for another month.
Why not go along and join the club? In addition to the regular monthly meetings, held on the second Wednesday of each month, there are also day trips, social events and visits to gardens of interest around the country. You don't need to live in Manorbier to join. All information about topics, speakers, visits, outings and social events can be obtained from the chairman, Bruce Price, on (01834) 871733, who, when you ring for details about the activities of the club, will tell you what Dan's Mistake was - and how much it cost him - paying the penalty of not being a member of Manorbier and District Gardening Club. A warm welcome awaits you at the next meeting of the club on Wednesday, March 12, at 7.30 pm, in Manorbier Parish Hall. The speaker will be Robert Isherwood and the topic 'Ground cover plants'.