Talk: Salvias by Marina Christopher

Thursday 24th September, 7.30pm

Marina Christopher from Phoenix Perennial Plants will talk on Salvias.

Marina lectures using live plant material as props rather than slides or Power Point. A special emphasis on reducing the amount of water used in the garden is particularly relevant with threats of water bans and climate change, although in the past few years water has been abundant!

Marina will bring plants and sundries for sale as well.

After studying Botany, Marine Biology and Ecology followed by 3 years postgraduate research, Marina Christopher escaped the confines of the laboratory to begin her new life as a nurseryman in 1984. Emerging as Phoenix Perennial Plants in 2002. Emphasis has always been to provide a balanced ecosystem, so beneficial wildlife, notably insects are provided with ‘cordon bleu’ plants for their delectation.

Although not officially organic, chemicals are banished and the beneficial wildlife maintains a stable equilibrium. Phoenix is sited in a cold, wet frost pocket so plants must be extremely hardy and tolerate winter wet. Phoenix earns medals vicariously by supplying some of the top garden designers with unusual plants for the Chelsea Flower Show and has won ‘Best in Show’ several times! Marina became an author in 2006 with her book ‘Late Summer Flowers’.

The nursery has been written up in The Garden, The Telegraph and Gardens Illustrated and is often mentioned as a supplier for more unusual plants. The nursery usually supplies three or four of the large Chelsea Show gardens each year. Marina has published articles in a number of gardening publications and appeared on Gardener’s World and a programme on women gardeners with Carol Klein.