This year saw the return of the Beth Chatto Symposium, this is the third one that has been held and they take place sort of every two years. Sort of two years because the pandemic made a longer pause between the first and the second symposium.
Now I have to admit that this year I did pause before buying my ticket. Firstly it is not the cheapest event and I do have to pause and consider. But, I told myself, you know you enjoy it, you know you get good value from it and you know you will learn from it. I looked at the theme of this year's event which was looking at the complexity of soil and life within the soil and I was not sure it really was for me. But, I told myself, you know you enjoy it, you know you get good value from it and you know you will learn from it. Dear reader, of course I bought a ticket.
and did I learn from it? Gosh and how! I make quite a lot of notes when I go; in previous years I come back with a long book list, this year I came back with more added to my Audible wish list. There was so much to take in and absorb. I cannot say I understood all of it, some of it was very sciencey but I realised that the long words and definitions were not the important parts I needed to focus on; they were not what I needed to retain: what I needed to and will retain was the message about life in our soil and how we are destroying it and (importantly) how we maintain and encourage it.
I am not going to go through all the talks, you can find information on the Beth Chatto website through the link at the top the blog. It would be wrong to highlight one talk above another as I am still processing all the messages. I could tell you today that the most significant for me was this one, only tomorrow to realise it was another. The important thing for me is the time this event gives me to reflect and the knowledge that it gives me.
Some very interesting future plans were revealed for the gardens: Dan Pearson is going to be working with the team to help them develop a new plot of land they have bought that borders the gardens. Dan will be the consultant helping create the master plan for the gardens: not just the new area but also how the existing gardens continue to develop. This is exiting times and I will be looking forward to seeing how this all progresses.
The first day ends with a party at Beth Chatto's gardens and this is a very important part of the event. It gives downtime and time to discuss with other people there what they have enjoyed and taken from the day. It also gives a priviledged time to visit the gardens as the light starts to fall and evening approaches. It is magical.
and did I buy anything? But of course!
The book demanded to be bought and the plant is a Gibasis Jose Puig, such a delicate pretty little plant.
Look at the tiny little flowers - so sweet.
and it fits into the ceramic dog I bought last year at the Calke Christmas fair, he has been waiting for his moment and it is now.
Now I am waiting for the 2026 Symposium. I will not hesitate when the tickets come on sale. My knowledge and understanding is developing which each event and whilst I will not/could not implement everything I learn, I will understand my choices better and the consequences of them. Bring. It. On.
Take care and be kind.