BOB Brown, a plantsman from Badsey near Evesham, came to talk to us about "so many plants so little space".

He has been interested in gardening from the age of eight when he grew vegetables but since then has had a very varied career. He has been a teacher and also spent 12 months in Greenland on a geological survey.

He has been prospecting in South Africa and plant hunting in Argentina and other countries around the world.

Mr Brown has the knack of predicting which plants are going to be popular and grows large numbers in readiness for the next season. He has visitors from all over the world at his nursery, some of who came armed with suitcases to carry their purchases away in.

His message to us was that as we get older we should reduce the size of our gardens and grow plants that give long lasting colour and texture throughout the year.

If you have a plant that does not do very well in your garden get rid of it and replace it with another with a long period of interest.

It was a very entertaining evening with useful information interspersed with amusing stores.

Our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm at Wythall Village Hall, Alcester Road. Visitors are always welcome.