Seventeen members and Friends of Timperley Civic Society recently enjoyed a guided tour of Fletcher Moss Gardens in Didsbury (otherwise known as the Manchester Botanical Garden).

Alderman Fletcher Moss bequeathed the Gardens along with Old Parsonage to Manchester Corporation on his death in 1919. At that time gardeners were plentiful and inexpensive but now the gardens including the Parsonage gardens are tended by only 3 gardeners. One of these gardeners -Colin- escorted us around the Gardens giving us chapter and verse, in a most entertaining manner, on the wonderful flowers, plants and trees that are to be seen in the gardens.

The main part of the gardens is on a fairly steep slope with pathways winding round and round so that they are not too steep. A good many rocks have been built into the hillside which is planted out, unsurprisingly, with mainly rock plants and a stream now cascades down. In fact this is not a natural stream, the water is pumped from the pond at the bottom of the slope and is switched off at night but it makes a lovely addition to the gardens.

Following the walk round the rock gardens we passed the arboretum and the rose gardens which at one time had been bowling greens, on our way round to the Parsonage Gardens. This is not the best time of year to visit the Parsonage as the spring plants have finished and the summer bedding is not yet out, however there is plenty to be seen including some interesting trees. A couple which are of interest are the Mulberry near the entrance to the Parsonage Gardens and the fascinating Laburnocytisus Adamii, this tree which comes from a grafting process has 3 different flowers of different colours.

Sadly the weather was not very kind to us and we all got somewhat wet however following the tour many of us repaired to the Café, where incidentally, the RSPB was formed, for a warming drink and to reflect on a most interesting afternoon.