Gardening: Cuttings

Cary Goode, who has created a fine six-acre garden at Thornhill Park, Stalbridge, Dorset, is running a course on the best way to plant a gravel garden. Properly done, this can be a labour-saving and versatile way of gardening, as anyone who has seen Beth Chatto's gravel garden in Essex will know. A gravel garden provides a good bridge between formal and wild areas in a garden and introduces a habitat that is especially suited to drought-resistant plants. The course is planned for 9 June (10am-3.30pm) and the cost is pounds 40. For further information phone 01963 362746.

Unwins' best-selling runner bean is the variety `Galaxy' (Unwins pounds 2.79), which, say the seedsmen, has been bred to produce a reliable crop even in the hottest summer. Usually, hot, dry weather inhibits the beans, and their flowers will not set into pods. Runner beans can be sown outside any time between now and the beginning of July. A packet contains enough beans for a 20-ft row. Call 01945 588 522 for stockists.

Sonia Wright, whose nursery I mentioned recently (Independent, 28 March) has written to point out that I gave her home address rather than the nursery address. I'm sorry. Devotees in search of Barnhaven primulas, or other plants in her "wide and somewhat eccentric collection" (her description) should make their way to The Old Vineyard, Grove Farm, Stitchcombe, Nr Mildenhall, Marlborough, Wiltshire (01672 514003). The nursery is open daily (except Wed and Sun) from 10am to 6pm.