The Cornwall Garden Society’s (CGS) December lectures will be delivered by head gardener and respected horticulturalist, Thomas Stone.

Thomas was raised at Mottisfont in Hampshire, home of the world-famous Mottisfont Abbey with its horticulturally important rose gardens. His father, David, was head gardener there and as a child, Thomas worked in the grounds. Following in his father’s footsteps by becoming a member of staff, he learned the tried and tested methods used by previous generations of gardeners, and honed his skills.

After 12 years, he moved on to work at the equally renowned Sir Harold Hillier Arboretum and Gardens where he extended his knowledge to encompass trees, shrubs and wild flower meadows.

He later became head gardener to private estates in West Sussex and Hampshire, where he created gardens full of vegetables, roses, shrubs, and herbaceous and cut flowers from areas of wilderness.

Thomas is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (MCIHort), the Professional Gardeners’ Guild and the Gardeners’ Guild. He is also on the National Register of Garden Experts and the Royal Horticultural Society’s Speakers’ Register as well as an Associate of the School of Garden Management.

He now runs his own horticultural practice for individual and corporate garden owners, and shares his expertise with a wider audience through lectures, TV and radio appearances.

Winter Plants will be his subject on Tuesday, December 5, at 7.30pm at the Alverton Hotel in Truro, while Hardy Geraniums will be his focus on Wednesday, December 6, at 2.30pm at the Penventon Park Hotel in Redruth.

The lectures are free for CGS members and non-members are welcome to attend to find out more about the society. Donations are gratefully received.

For further information visit cornwallgardensociety.org.uk, follow @CwllGardenSoc on Twitter or like facebook.com/cornwallgardensociety.