On 2009-06-20 15:09:26 +0100, Gopher said:

In message , Sacha
writes
On 2009-06-20 09:42:55 +0100, Gopher said:

In message , Sacha
writes
On 2009-06-19 16:12:10 +0100, "Kate Morgan" said:

My husband is compiling a quiz for his local pub and he has asked me
for some gardening questions, any questions and answers would be much
appreciated
kate
He could put in a couple of plants' common names and ask what their
proper name is, or vice versa. And why was 'Capability' Brown so
called? Which architect was Gertrude Jekyll most closely associated
with? What charming - or not so charming - habit did Christopher Lloyd
have when visiting others' gardens (that should stump a few!) Which
way round a pole do runner beans twine? What is the name of Agatha
Christie's house and garden in Devon, newly open to the public?

I know the first two but what did Mr. Lloyd get up to in other
people's gardens - or is an answer in this forum liable to elicit a
writ?
BTW am very grateful as the timing is most appropriate. I am in the
throes of helping to put together such a quiz.

As C. Lloyd is dead, I can't see any writs flying around and anyway, he
thought it was funny. Remember, he was an advocate of colour and lots
of it and the more clashier the better. He'd go round others' gardens
and where he found something to be too 'perfect' in taste, colour
harmony etc., he's surreptitiously drop handfuls of nasturtium seeds!
Picture the poor bewildered garden owner wondering what on earth has
happened to their 'white garden'!

Thanks Sacha. I'm rather surprised. Bearing in mind his reputation I
thought the nasturtium trick rather tame; I would have anticipated a
much more dramatic gesture. After all, it would almost have been
expected of him, certainly in later years.

Perhaps it was what he could do surreptitiously and enjoy giggling to
himself about! Bit difficult to set about your host's garden with a
trowel or border fork!

I haven't visited Great Dixter yet but I'm due to attend a funeral next
week near Eastbourne - I wonder if I would have time to visit Rye?
Worth investigating.

I haven't been there, either and it's a great wish of mine to go.
Somehow, I have to drag Ray away at the right time of year.

Thank again, Sacha.

You're very welcome. We only heard that little story last week
ourselves and I was sort of amused and sort of horrified by it!
--
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics.
South Devon