Illustrated talks

Over many years Janette has built up a comprehensive knowledge of gardening past and present.

Much of this is shared with the growing number of people who attend her presentations throughout the country. Here is a list of her most popular lectures, each lasting approximately one hour.

Most popular horticultural lectures:

A Calendar of Colour
This talk covers plants that will provide all year round interest, as well as looking at the appropriate birthday plants for each month.

Birds, Butterflies and Bees
All the information you need to plant up your garden to encourage wildlife to visit. Everything from blackbirds to hoverflies and butterflies to hedgehogs.

Brightening up the Shade
Even the darkest corner can appear lighter with the right planting and this lecture discusses the plants that will thrive in shady areas, on wet and dry soils whether it is sandy or on a clay base.

Christmas Crackers
The custom of placing holly wreaths on front doors dates back to AD601 when Augustine of Canterbury was told by Pope Gregory to encourage parishioners to decorate their churches with evergreens - a symbol of permanence.

Drought Resistant Plants
With the effects of global warming, our gardens seem to be dryer and hotter, these plants are built to cope with such conditions and we'll look at the methods they use to do it.

Garden Design - Past and Present
This talk takes a look at garden features from the past and how they can be brought right up to date. Learn why the Victorians went mad on colour and bedding plants. Then discover why the monastic style for vegetable growing is still the best method today.

Gardening through the Ages
A lecture where you will discover such information as when the first Wheelbarrow  appeared; why the Crown imperial became popular; where Ellen Wilmott's fortune disappeared and what the X's stand for in a well known brand of beer.

Gardening on Walls and Fences
Discover how to fill the void above your garden with climbers and wall shrubs while tucking in tender plants at their base to give them protection. We will also explore the advantages of the shade provided and see what will successfully grow there.

Ideas for Improving your Garden
Garden design saves money and provides a retreat that matches your lifestyle and budget. Learn how to make your garden look wider and longer. Create interest and mystery where none was there before.

101 of my Favourite Plants
A talk that shows plants that will work hard for you, providing interest for more than one season, with their colour, perfume or form.

Plants for Difficult Places
There is a plant that will grow in the most awkward spot, whether it is deep shade, shallow chalk or where the rabbits love to graze.

Plants for the Month of.........
Choose a month and see what is flowering as well as learning about their other attributes.

Small is Beautiful
Trees and shrubs for small gardens

Some of my Favourite Gardens
Some of my favourite gardens are internationally known, but many are little gems created by ordinary people from scratch and often on a shoestring.

The Scented Garden
How to maintain an all year round fragrance using a variety of aromatic herbs, sweet scented flowers and crushed fruity foliage.

The Brighter Side of Winter
This talk takes into account  the wide variety of foliage, bark and berries produced. The cold season can still be made interesting and give the feeling of warmth.

The Sensual Garden
A garden should be inviting, attracting you inside and appealing to all of your senses. Plants that are perfumed, sounds that are musical and even the spiritual feeling of a garden can be created with the right design and imaginative planting.

The Tints of Autumn
A season of foliage, flowers and fruit with the garden coming to an end in an explosion of colour.

The Flower Arranger's Garden
With the right planting, there should always be something in the garden to create a spectacular arrangement at any time of the year.

What's in the Name?
Once you understand the meaning behind a plants name, you will know where it came from, what its growth habit is and who discovered it. Secrets that help you decide whether it is a good plant for your garden.

Unexpected Tales of Plants and Gardens
This very popular talk covers all the topics offered by a good book. History, money, royalty, intrigue, even a little sex!

Yesterday's Plants for Today's Gardens
This talk looks at plants that have been grown through the centuries. We will look at how they were used in the household and where they may be grown to full effect today.

'Janette Merilion is amongst the top five speakers visiting our club during its fifteen year existence. The 'feedback' from our members was spontaneous and enthusiastic.........Her knowledge of her subject is awesome and her style is the epitome of directness and clarity.  We have already booked her to visit us again'.

Pat Sheard
New Waltham Garden Club
Lincolnshire