Sue Marshall, owner of Iris of Sissinghurst, is able to provide presentations/talks to societies about the nursery and the growing of iris. These talks are aimed at horticultural societies but can also tailored to those with a general interest in gardening. The talks are available throughout the year and can be booked by contacting the nursery to discuss requirements. The talks include a film show and question/answer session. Plants can also be available for sale at the talk.
The range of talks include;
- English Love Affair with Iris
This talk outlines Sue Marshalls love affair with iris plants, the range of plants available for all positions and seasons in the garden as well as reference to the fashions and development of iris. (A section of the talk includes the breeding of iris in Kent)
- A Year in the Life of a Nursery
The talk describes in detail, month by month, the work involved in managing the nursery, including the highs and lows, the impact of the unpredictable nature of the British weather on the nursery and of course the iris that are in flower each month of the year.
- Pain and Pleasure of Growing for Chelsea
This is a light hearted talk, popular with non-horticultural societies, providing behind the scenes gossip about the Chelsea Flower Show. It attempts to describe the work that has to take place to produce the plants in perfect condition for judging on a single day of the year against the background of the notorious British weather.
- Bearded Iris
A specialist Talk on the growing, breeding and development of the bearded iris for gardens. This is probably the iris most commonly grown in British gardens. It highlights the range of colours, varieties and heights now available in gardens as well as future trends.
- Non-Bearded Iris
A specialist Talk on the growing, breeding and development of non-bearded iris for gardens. (Non-Bearded iris is the term given to all iris that are NOT bearded!!!!!). These iris will grow in shade, ponds, acid loving soil or bog gardens and include varieties that flower throughout the winter.
- Growing Flowers for cutting
Sophie Leathart has been a freelance florist for 30 years and as well as growing her own cut flowers, runs a cutting garden for a client. Her talk will be about the best flowers to grow for cutting, planning for successional cropping, perennial cut flowers and how to condition the flowers once cut. In the summer months, she is happy to demonstrate how to tie bouquet as a gift or create a table arrangement for the home without using floral foam. Sophie loves all things floral and has begun to work with Sue Marshall at Iris of Sissinghurst, helping around the nursery and with the staging of the Cayeux Iris display at the Chelsea Flower Show
Talks are given throughout the South East ( Kent,Surrey,Sussex,Essex and Greater London)