The Cornwall Garden Society (CGS) December lectures will be delivered by Stella Exley, an independent hardy plant nurserywoman who runs Hare Spring Cottage Plants in the rolling Devonshire countryside of the South Hams.

Stella was smitten with the beauty of plants from a very early age. Her grandfather grew chrysanthemums on his allotment, and the texture, shape and vibrant colours mesmerised her inquisitive mind. Her father always kept colourful flowers in their small family garden, which her mother taught her to deadhead to encourage further blooms.

Today, she regularly exhibits in floral marquees at major horticultural shows and is the proud holder of Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show gold medals and three National Plant Collections® – camassia, sidalcea and uvularia.

Stella will provide a light-hearted insight into her life as a nurserywoman, including what it’s like to grow plants for multi-award-winning garden designer Chris Beardshaw for the chaos that is Chelsea.

Meet her on Tuesday at 7.30pm at The Alverton in Truro, and next Wednesday at 2.30pm at Penventon Park Hotel in Redruth.

Lectures are free for CGS members. Non-members are welcome to attend to and donations are gratefully received.

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