The Cambs and Beds Group of the Hardy Plant Society is one of 40 local groups active in the UK. It offers a very wide range of gardening activities to its members. These include entertaining and informative lectures from both local and national speakers. Plants are sold at most meetings and free refreshments are available. The group also sells specialised garden sundries at a competitive price at these meetings. These are held on the first Saturday of each month during the autumn, winter and spring periods (please see the events page for a full list of the activities for the current year).
During the summer period visits to members’ gardens are undertaken and at least one visit is made to gardens and nurseries further afield.

The group is committed to plant conservation and is involved in the Scheme run by National HPS. The main fund raising event of the year for the group is the Plant Sale held in conjunction with Stratton Upper School in May.

Our programme for 2011 is a very varied one; hopefully, there will be something to appeal to everyone. Our first outing of the year is in May when we will spend five days in Northern France visiting five gardens and the spring plant fair at Chateau Courson. In June we have booked a guided tour of an orchid meadow nature reserve and wildlife park in Essex. Another day trip is planned for July, when we will visit two gardens on the Northants/Oxon border and have lunch together.

We are trying a new venture this year, a group of our members have volunteered to open their gardens by appointment, for the local group.

Our members have varying degrees of gardening experience and are happy to share their knowledge. We are always pleased to welcome visitors and new members to join our group.