This section includes information on other societies we're affiliated with, together with details on local nurseries, gardens etc. Please let us know if you have any information you'd like to share with other members and we'll get it on the website, just email info.
Affiliated Societies
The Society is affiliated with a number of different societies:-
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK's leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. The RHS has a number of gardens round the country, runs a series of shows throughout the year. There is a wealth of information of the RHS website, well worth a look. Society members get a discount on RHS membership. Please email info for details.
The National Dahlia Society was formed in 1881 and for over a century has given unbroken service to gardeners interested in this wonderful flower. The NDS is a registered charity, which seeks to promote the dahlia by means of exhibitions (shows), trials and conferences. We are affiliated to the NDS, which gives us the ability to enter inter society classes at National Shows and also to award NDS medals at shows.
The Daffodil Society was established in 1898 as the specialist society of Great Britain for all who are interested in the Genus Narcissus. The Daffodil Society aims to promote the whole of the genus Narcissus, the botanical name for our favourite flower.
The National Vegetable Society is dedicated to advancing the culture study and improvement of vegetables and offering help and advice to novice and expert growers. There’s lots of information on their website and the Buckinghamshire branch runs monthly meetings throughout the year. The Society has 4 free passes to each NVS meeting, please email info for details.
Aylesbury Garden Society was established in 1880 and is still going strong. The society runs the Thurston Trading Store , located on the Town Council Allotment site in Old Stoke Road. There are always plenty of experts there willing to help with all your gardening queries! The Society runs a programme of events including outings, talks and has an Annual Show. The membership fee is very reasonable, £3 per year, as ACB&DB Horticultural Society is an affiliated member.
Seeds and Bulbs
Members are able to purchase seeds from DT Browns through the Society at a discounted rate, usually 40-50%. The Society order is usually made in early December each year. Please ask a member of the committee if you’d like further details.
The Society does get bulbs in from time to time and these will be available at the monthly meetings.
If you’re in to Snowdrops, then Avon Bulbs is a good source of bulbs. One of my favourite catalogues!
Local Nurseries
Here are a selection of local specialist nurseries. As well as a good source of plants and shrubs, they are always happy to provide and guidance. Not all the nurseries are open year round, so best to check opening dates and times on their website.
Buckingham Nurseries and Garden Centre, Buckingham - a family run garden centre that is well known nationally as a specialist for bare rooted hedging plants and young trees. Also has a great range of other shrubs, plants and accessories. Runs regular events and monthly talks on horticultural topics.
Home Farm Plants, is a small family nursery growing hardy perennials, seasonal cut flowers and a Delphinium specialist, based in Bovingdon, between Hemel Hempstead and Chesham.
Little Heath Farm Nursery, Potten End, Berkhamsted. The nursery grows an extensive range of hardy plants, specialising in alpines and herbaceous perennials, alongside shrubs, ferns and trees, with many unusual varieties scattered in all the categories. There’s also a tea-room on the site, where you can sit andenjoy a piece of home-made cake as well as a shop where you can buy tribal arts and crafts, as well as Hertfordshire honey (some hives are located just below the nursery) and local free-range eggs.
Sunnyside Nursery, Northchurch, Berkhamsted. A specialist in unusual perennial garden plants including alpines and ornamental grasses.
Penns Flowers, Longwick – Family run business. They do annual spring & winter bedding plants & going into autumn they have dahlias, chrysanthemums and gladioli that can be cut straight from the flower beds. They are very close to Pasture Farm Plants, so why not visit them both!
The Plant Specialist, Great Missenden. The Nursery (and its display gardens) is located in the village of Great Missenden in the Chilterns and is dedicated to growing a wide range of new and unusual herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses which also make reliable garden plants. The display gardens are worth a visit, especially in late summer.
Worlds End Garden Centre, Wendover. The Worlds End Garden Centre is part of a large chain, so does have most things you’d need for your garden. They do usually run coach trips to gardens throughout the year, so worth having a look at the Events page on their website.
Local Gardens
Ascott, Wing – Rothschild house and gardens, opens through the NGS twice a year. The main 30-acre garden at Ascott depicts Victorian gardening at its very best. Originally laid out by Sir Harry Veitch and overlaid with designs and plantings by Arabella Lennox Boyd. There is also a recently completed garden, designed by Jacques and Peter Wirtz who designed the gardens at Alnwick Castle, and also a Richard Long Sculpture.
National Gardens Scheme – The NGS was founded in 1927 to raise money for the nurses of the Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) by opening gardens of quality and interest to the public. Today, there are over 3,700 gardens open every year through the NGS. The money raised through the open gardens is donated, via the NGS, to nursing, caring and gardening charities. There are lots of open gardens throughout the year in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, so worth having a search on the website.
Scannappeal Open Gardens – Scannappeal is a local charity, raising money for life saving equipment for hospitals in the Buckinghamshire area, principally to diagnose and treat patients with cancer and heart disease. The charity has an Open Gardens scheme, with a variety of gardens across Buckinghamshire, which in its inaugural year in 2012 included Chequers and Eythrope.
Waddesdon Manor Gardens – The gardens were created by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the late 19th century. The gardens are still renowned for their treasures and, with acres of landscaped grounds to explore. The gardens are open throughout the year, but best to check the website for opening days and times, especially during the winter.
Waterperry Gardens – Located near Wheatley, close to Oxford, Waterperry's historical gardens date back to the 1930’s when it was run as a Ladies Horticulture School until 1971. Today, there is an eight acre gardens, quality plant and garden centre, gallery, gift barn, teashop and country life museum. Gardening and arts and craft courses are held throughout the year – worth having a look at the course schedule.