Page 64 • The HERALD • 2nd April 2026 v GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE HERALD v DOWN THE GARDEN PATH • HEDGE CUTTING • FENCING • PATIOS • TURFING • GARDEN CLEARANCES & MORE For a FREE quotation please call 023 8122 4550 or 07548 355262 AUTUMN LEAF GARDEN WORKS Smithwood Landscaping Professional Gardening & Landscaping • SeasonalTidy Ups • Garden Redesign • Fencing •Trees & Shrubs Carefully Pruned • AstroTurf • Rockeries Designed • Ground Cover No JobToo Small as I am a Local Gardener Any advice over the phone is freely given Contact Gary (Master Landscaper) 07707 433194 Fred Hurst 023 8084 2191 or 07761 467217 • Grass Cutting • Garden Clearance • Hedge Cutting • Fallen Trees Cleared • Mini Digger Hire with Operator • Property Clearance • Small Demolition • Tractor Flail Cutting FULLY INSURED v FREE QUOTATIONS The British Alstroemeria And UK Flower Industry With Ben Cross by Debbie Thorne, Foresters Flower Club Ben’s passion gave us a fantastic presentation. His enthusiasm reaping many awards including a RHS Chelsea gold medal in 2024, horticultural and numerous growers awards. He reinforced our quest for all things British, but especially highlighting our tirelessly, hardworking Farmers. Ben Cross is a fourth generation farmer of Crossland Flower Nursery, Warburton, specialising purely in alstroemeria. His family started in 1936 as part of the Land Settlement Association ltd (LSA). is was a government initiative for unemployed families to farm the land. e LSA bene ted them by homegrown produce and a supportive community. Crossland’s nursery was established in 1957 and specialised in salads, chrysanthemum and the Peruvian Lily now known as alstroemeria, a er the man who discovered them. With increasing farming costs, Crossland decided to specialise in a “cool crop”, the alstroemeria. ey are a relatively low input crop requiring less heat and water and are still productive at 10°C. Alstroemeria are grown in massive greenhouses and harvesting keeps good production of owers. Less than 5% of plants need replanting: some plants being over 30 years old. Heating is used late autumn and winter by heat pipes to reduce humidity. Overhead sprinklers are used for cool misting in the summer once every 10 days. Ground level watering occurs during winter, depending on winter precipitation, sometimes requiring watering only twice. No arti cial lighting is needed, reducing light pollution, encouraging growth and tall stems. Being a low water and temperature requirement plant gives alstroemeria a low carbon footprint making it very sustainable. It is disappointing that there are strict rules and taxes applied annually to British Flower Farmers in this country making their produce more expensive than foreign, large carbon footprint producers. Alstroemeria are a protected ornamental plant. e ideal way to grow alstroemeria at home is in pots, or a greenhouse. ey need minimal attention, but do have certain requirements. Ideally planted late summer or early autumn to establish the root system, allowing more stability when pulled “picked”. Pulling prevents root rot and infections. ey don’t like Northeast/Southwest winds, nor harsh summer sun, or boggy ground. ey like medium compost. More pulling encourages more ower production. Optimum soil temperature is 16 to 18°C, optimum air temperature is 20°C. Plants are most productive in the free compost is added biannually at the time of testing. Pests and diseases are treated with bio control e.g. a larger mite eats spider mite and are cannibalistic; companion planting with aubergine plants attract mini wasps which eat white y. e Nursery harvests seven days a week to keep plants green and buds fat. Stems of owers go straight to storage in “boats” full of water and are chilled to around 6°C – no freezing. Ben happily answered many questions and then had “wonky bunches” for us to buy. A er followed our delicious refreshments, another exciting ra e and our AGM. Next meetings: 2nd April: Graham King, Demonstration- Beauty in Sculpture, 14th May Bring and Do. Mechanics to be provided, 4th June Rosemary Legrande - Presentation “Great Gardens of France”. Everyone is welcome. For more information please contact Debbie on: 07769 830752. spring and autumn and new growth is tucked in to protect it. In the winter there is minimal ower production and plants need foliage thinned to encourage bud development. Foliage can be used in floral arrangements. Optimum soil composition includes good: calcium, potash and nitrogen levels and a neutral pH-if chalky, will need acid adding. Peat Alstroemeria Ben Cross New Forest and Hampshire County Show Floral Art Entries Open Open to all ages and abilities, the popular Floral Art competition at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show showcases creativity, skill and beautiful designs across a range of classes. Novice and junior sections are available, making it a wonderful opportunity for newcomers and young exhibitors to take part in this year’s New Forest and Hampshire County Show, which takes place on 28th, 29th and 30th July. Submit your entry by 30th June to view the schedule or to submit your entry visit: https://www.newforestshow.co.uk/ exhibitors/competitions
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