At this time of year the experts who meddle with miniature
blooms are having their moment in the sun; revelling in their alpine gems and racing
up and down the country to attend one of the many Alpine Garden Society shows. One
of the first in the calendar is the Harlow Show in Essex, and last Saturday
several Kew students headed up there to help out, ‘do our bit’, and assist
staff from the Kew Alpine Nursery. This is the first such show I have attended,
and it was dashed good fun! The highlight was undoubtedly seen in the main
hall, which was resplendent with row after row of pristine alpine specimens all
displayed by amateur growers and AGS members from across England. The competition
is broken up into classes, such as ‘1 pan Fritillaria’ or ‘3 pans Primula’,
with each exhibitor offering up their best plants for any category of their
choice. The judging process takes about an hour, with a rabble of old alpine
experts thrashing it out amongst themselves, and the atmosphere getting
somewhat heated in the process! A truly splendid specimen of Gymnospermium
albertii (see previous post) was on show, and won a ‘Certificate of Merit’ for being judged one of the most
outstanding plants on display. Unfortunately I was unable to find one in the plant sales next door,
but did come away with a beautiful Adonis amurensis from the chaps at Edrom Nursery.
I hope you enjoy these following spring gems, and if you are interested in witnessing
such splendour first-hand there are many shows left on the calendar (see here).
Back to the tropics next for more Palm House glory!
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| The Farrer Memorial Medal for best plant in the show was won by this mass of Iris ‘Frank Elder’ |
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| Glorious variation in colour from Ranunculus calandrinioides |
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| Hepatica japonica ‘Utyuu’ |
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| Crocus sieberi subsp. sublimis ‘Tricolour’ |
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| The dainty stripes of Crocus reticulatus subsp. reticulatus |
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| This is the Adonis amurensis, cheery blooms and fascinating foliage |
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| Crocus x jessopiae, selected and named by the great plantsman E.A. Bowles |
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| Heads held proud above the foliage, Crocus chrysanthus ‘Ladykiller’ |
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| Crocus malyi, crisp and elegant! |
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| An explosion of colour and form in one pan! Crocus abantensis |
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| Crocus minimus provided one of the best colours of the day, and the dark hints on the outer petals are a joy! |
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| Some creative eggs displayed their gems with stone dressings. Outstanding efforts as seen here with Callianthemum anemonoides! |
5 comments:
This post makes me realized that I really love crocuses... and I.reticulatas.... and spring in general. :) C. 'Tricolor' is actually poking its head out in our circle lawn this freezing, cold day.
C.subsp. reticulatus is a new one for me! Thanks!
Gosh how splendid they all are. It's still freezing here, most odd. I could do with a Palm House to escape to.
Oh, Bertie, flower appreciation is so particular - for me 'Frank Elder' looks like a piece of washing that got in the wrong wash. But the stripey crocus is a must have!
Would I EVER love to have seen those gems!!!!
Greetings all!
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