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late summer

Plant Hunters’ Fairs plant fair comes to Ness Gardens

Plant Hunter’s Fairs plant fair will take place on Sunday, September 3.

This will be their last plant fair of the 2023 season in the area.

Started in 2007 by plantaholics Janet and Martin Blow from Cheshire. The fairs are “special and different because entry costs are kept low”. 

Where an entrance fee is charged all the entrance money goes to the garden hosting the event, often Charitable Trusts, raising much-needed funds to help maintain these gardens into the future.

Martin said: “Now’s the time to make the most of the late summer sun and get out and enjoy your garden and Plant Hunters’ Fairs are a great place to pick up some plants to add some late colour to your garden or even to get ahead for next year with bulbs and plants to get planted now for next year’s colour.

“For the first time we have added houseplants to the line up with world-renowned specialists Dibleys Nursery due to make their debut. 

“So, whether it’s your garden, conservatory or house that needs a pick-me-up of late summer and autumn flowers and foliage there’s something for you.”

Wirral Globe: Plant Hunters FairPlant Hunters Fair (Image: Plant Hunters Fair)

Details about the fair

The plant fair is held in the self-contained Herb Garden by the main car park and entry is just £1.00. 

This is redeemable against subsequent entry to the main gardens if you choose to visit these on the day.

Martin added: “If you need some advice to help you choose then there are nursery folk on hand to help, each an expert in their field with years of knowledge and experience, and full of helpful tips, so why not pop in and pick up some wonderful, traditionally grown plants from these family run nurseries.”

There is free parking. The restaurant

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By Dawn J. Larkin, ago

What to know about Egyptian Walking Onion plants in the garden

Egyptian Walking Onions are one of the first plants to emerge in the spring.

Egyptian Walking Onions are one of the first plants to emerge in the spring.


Bill Lamont

Photo provided

I was talking with my friends — Mary, who is an excellent waitress at the Waffle Shop on North Atherton Street, and Tommy, who does the piano bar at the American Ale House plus a host of other interesting jobs — about the interesting Egyptian Walking Onion that I have growing in my garden, and I thought others might be interested too.

As their scientific name “Allium proliferum” states, these hardy little onions are prolific. Once you plant them in your garden you will have onions every year. Egyptian Walking Onions are also called Tree Onions, Egyptian Tree Onions, Top Onions, Winter Onions, Perennial Onions.

Egyptian Walking Onions are one of the first plants to emerge in the spring. The leaves poke up through the soil like little green spikes despite the frost or snow. The blue-green leaves are round and hollow and will grow up to 3 feet in height. At the end of the leaf stalk, a cluster of bulblets will begin to grow. These bulblets are also known as “bulbils” or “sets.” Every Egyptian Walking Onion plant will produce a cluster of sets at the top, hence the name, “Top Onion,” meaning they are top setting onions.

Egyptian Walking Onion top sets first appear in the early spring encased in a protective papery tunic, which has a curled tip like an elf’s shoe. As they grow, this papery capsule will tear open and eventually fall off. The top sets reach maturity in late summer. Many of them have little green sprouts and mini root nodules. When the sets become heavy enough, they will pull the plant over to the ground. If the soil conditions are right,

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By Dawn J. Larkin, ago