AGS East Lancs Show 2025

Jon makes his first ever visit to the AGS East Lancs show, to see a wonderful display of plants and an assortment of old friends. ...(more below)
May 18, 2025
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After the Midland show Helen and I took a week’s break, missing the Cleveland show, but visiting meadows full of orchids in Italy.  Two days after we returned, we found ourselves making the long trip to Manchester (250 miles each way) for the East Lancs AGS show at Whitworth Civic Hall.

RHS Bridgewater Garden

We arrived on Friday afternoon with enough time to explore the new RHS garden at Bridgewater.  It certainly whetted our appetite, with some wonderful plantings, but is still definitely work in progress.

East Lancs AGS Show

The next morning we arrived at the show early, to everyone’s astonishment.  I have never visited the East Lancs show before, but had decided that I wanted to catch up with many old friends, who do not travel as far afield now as they did before CoVid.  I was not disappointed, meeting up with a number of exhibitors I have not seen for several years.

However, I hadn’t anticipated the size and weight of the pots in the large pan classes of the Open section.  This was familiar five years ago, but times have changed; I was going to have to work hard to photograph all the best plants.

Before I could start photographing the entries, there was judging to be done; for me, this was a chance to take some views of the show benches.

Vibrant potted orchids and garden flowers displayed at Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing rare and beautiful plants for enthusiasts and collectors.
Vibrant display of potted alpine plants with colourful flowers at the Alpine Garden Society show in a botanical exhibition hall.
Vibrant display of potted flowering plants at Alpine Garden Society show, showcasing diverse garden plants and colourful blooms for plant enthusiasts.
Vibrant display of alpine flowers and plants at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing diverse flora in terracotta pots for enthusiasts and gardeners.
Vivid display of flowering alpines and potted plants at the Alpine Garden Society show, showcasing diverse varieties of hardy plants for rock gardens and alpine landscapes.
Vibrant potted orchids and flowers displayed at Alpine Garden Society plant exhibition showcasing diverse botanical varieties.
Vibrant display of potted spring flowers at Alpine Garden Society event showcasing diverse horticultural varieties for garden enthusiasts and plant collectors.
Colourful alpine and garden plants at an indoor plant show organized by the Alpine Garden Society, showcasing diverse flowering varieties for enthusiasts and collectors.
Vibrant display of potted garden plants and flowers at Alpine Garden Society plant show in a well-lit indoor setting.
Colourful potted plants and flowers showcased at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, highlighting diverse alpine and rock garden plants for enthusiasts.

Promotional Display by the East Lancs AGS Group

At one end of the show hall, there was a display by the East Lancs AGS Group, featuring some lovely photos.  This was judged worthy of a Gold Award.  I believe this display was organised by my old friend John Dower, and that the photos were taken mainly by himself, and by his close friend Cliff Booker.

Vibrant display of alpine flowers and plants at Alpine Garden Society flower show showcasing diverse varieties and floral arrangements for gardening enthusiasts.
Bright display board showcasing Alpine garden plants and flowers, promoting East Lancs Group membership and garden society activities for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Vibrant display of alpine flowers and orchids in a garden society exhibition, showcasing diverse species and colourful blooms.
Vibrant alpine flowers display on garden exhibition board, showcasing diverse blooms from the Alpine Garden Society.
Vivid display of alpine flowers and plants at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing diverse flora and gardening enthusiasts, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts and horticulturists.

Display of Bonsai

In another corner, there was a display of exceptional bonsai, exhibited by a master of the craft, Tony Tickle.  It was disappointing to see this given only a Bronze Award.  I particularly liked the use of model figures in some of the exhibits, including Alice looking up at a Cheshire Cat hiding in the branches of one of the trees.

Vivid succulent arrangement in a round brown pottery vase featuring various cacti and desert plants, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts and collectors.
Ferns in a decorative pot showcasing rare alpine garden plants for garden enthusiasts.
Vase-shaped Japanese maple bonsai tree with lush green and reddish leaves in a large ceramic pot, on a wooden stand against a neutral background.
Miniature bonsai tree with gardening figurine, showcasing alpine garden cultivation and landscape design techniques, ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts and collectors.
Miniature bonsai tree with flowering plants in a garden display at Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing rock gardening and alpine plant cultivation.
White flowering Wisteria bonsai in a blue pot, illustrating alpine garden plants and bonsai cultivation.
Intricately shaped bonsai tree in a grey pot, showcasing detailed pruning and leaf arrangement, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and bonsai collectors.
Classic garden fairy statue surrounded by lush greenery and flowering plants in an alpine garden setting, ideal for garden decor and landscaping.
Bonsai trees displayed on black table at Alpine Garden Society exhibit showcasing miniature bonsai cultivation and artistry.

Display of Pencil Drawings

The final exhibit was a display of Pencil Drawings by Peter Barlass.  This wasn’t judged, but included some superb landscape drawings.  I photographed them in situ, rather than moving them one by one, and had dreadful trouble with reflections if I got the camera anywhere near perpendicular to the frame glass, so I’m afraid this low angle is the best I could do.

Drought-tolerant alpine plants illustration featuring rocky terrain and mountain backdrop, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and collectors.
Vivid grayscale drawing of a rugged mountain landscape featuring steep cliffs, rocky formations, and lush foreground vegetation, ideal for outdoor and nature art enthusiasts.
Snowy mountain landscape art piece with intricate detailing, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and landscape art collectors interested in mountain scenery.
A black and white landscape drawing featuring two weathered stone posts on a textured ground with leafless trees and distant hills in the background.
Windy coastal landscape with rugged cliffs and ocean waves, capturing the natural beauty of wild seaside scenery for alpine and garden enthusiasts.
Mountain landscape illustration of alpine flora and rugged terrain for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts and plant lovers.
Serene alpine landscape with mountains, lake, and trees, reflecting in calm waters, capturing the beauty of mountain scenery for alpine garden enthusiasts.

By now, I was hankering to make a start – there were some wonderful plants to photograph.  I borrowed a table from Robert Potterton, and started to set my gear up.  Although it was a lovely warm spring day, there was a hint of a breeze outside.  That is always a trial when taking photos, so in the end I put the table into a corridor where I was a little in the way, but had daylight on one side.

Athyrium nipponicum var pictum

There were no entries in the Novice section, but lots to choose from in the Intermediate section.  I began with this fern from Anita and Mike Acton – it is an attractive one I always like.  Congratulations to Anita and Mike on their first Silver Bar.

Lacy fern with variegated green and purple foliage in a black pot, showcasing stunning textures for Alpine Garden Society plant collection.
Fern plant with finely divided fronds in a black pot on grey background.

Athyrium nipponicum var pictum

Later on in the day, I photographed another specimen of the same fern, exhibited by my old friends Brian and Shelagh Smethurst, and displaying even more clearly the markings which make it so attractive.

Beautiful potted fern with variegated foliage, ideal for alpine garden displays and shade gardens.
Variegated fern in terracotta pot, thriving alpine garden plant for shaded environments, lush foliage, and ornamental indoor or outdoor use.
Fern plant in terracotta pot on garden stand, showcasing lush alpine garden foliage and ornamental plants for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Calanthe cultivar

Tony Hollingworth won the Intermediate Orchidaceae class with a Calanthe he was hoping one of the judges or other exhibitors could name.  Sadly, I think no-one could help.

The bright green sepals and petals might suggest the presence of C. tricarinata in its ancestry, but orchids have been hybridized for a long time and even an expert might struggle to put a name to the plant.

Orchid plant with green leaves and delicate white flowers in a black pot for alpine gardening.
Wild orchids flowering on a grey background, showcasing alpine plant diversity and beauty.
Filename: alpine-garden-society-orchid-flower.jpg.
Vernal Orchid (Across Europe and North America) in full bloom, showcasing its delicate pink and white petals with yellow accents, perfect example of alpine garden flora.

Sarcocapnos enneaphylla

I was delighted to find Sarcocapnos enneaphylla in the Intermediate section, exhibited by show secretary Alan Elwell.  I haven’t seen this little member of the poppy family on the show bench for a long time.

Vivid flowering microgreens in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardening and container displays, showcasing the beauty of hardy plants for alpine garden collections.

Trillium kurabayashii

Lew Clark exhibited a fine pan of a very short form of Trillium kurabayashii.

Vivid flowering plants with striking red and green leaves, perfect for alpine gardens and container displays, showcasing diverse alpine flora and garden design.
Vivid red and green striped alpine plant with striking foliage and emerging flower buds, perfect for rock gardens and miniature landscapes.
Vivid green and burgundy marbled foliage of an indoor tropical plant,alia with red new growth, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts, healthy planter, lush decorative greenery.

Soldanella hungarica

However, the Merlewood Trophy for the best plant in the Intermediate section went to Frank Dobson for this lovely pan of Soldanella hungarica.

Violet Primula japonica blooming in a terracotta pot, perfect for shade gardens and alpine plant collections.
Violet alpine flowers in full bloom, suitable for garden enthusiasts and rock garden collectors.

Verbascum dumulosum

Despite strong competition from Anita and Mike Acton, and from Andrew Ward, the Mona Knowles Trophy for the Intermediate section aggregate went to Frank.  This is another of his plants.

Bright yellow alpine primula flowers in a terracotta pot, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts, showcasing vibrant bloom varieties, ideal for alpine gardening and plant hobbyists.
Vibrant yellow alpine flowers with lush green foliage, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Iberis sempervirens ‘Fischbeck’

James Watson exhibited an attractive pot of Iberis sempervirens.

White alpine flowers in a pot, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant collections. Suitable for enthusiasts of alpine gardening and rare plant species.

Rhododendron ‘Snipe’

James also had a pretty little plant of Rhododendron ‘Snipe’.

Rhododendron azaleas flowering plant in black pot with pink blossoms and green leaves; indoor garden or patio plant, ideal for alpine garden society collections.
Pink azalea flowers, vibrant garden shrub, popular with alpine gardening enthusiasts, in full bloom at the Alpine Garden Society.

Rhododendron ‘Wren’

Having walked past it all day, the last plant I photographed at the show was Tony Hollingworth’s Rhododendron ‘Wren’.

Yellow azalea flowers in a terracotta pot, vibrant and lush azalea plant for alpine garden displays.

Daphne x susannae ‘Tichborne’

Turning to the Open section, but keeping to the small pan classes for now, Edward Barraclough had a good dome of the violet Daphne x. susannae ‘Tichborne’, one of Robin White’s cultivars from the cross between D. arbuscula and D. collina.

Violet pink alpine flowering plant in terracotta pot with green foliage, suitable for alpine gardens and rockeries.

Cassiope selaginoides

Also from Edward, and something I haven’t photographed for a while, was this little Cassiope.  He protested that there were better specimens elsewhere in the hall, but this one made a good subject.

Dense cluster of white, bell-shaped alpine flowers on slender green stems, perfect for rock gardens and mountainous landscapes.
White bell-shaped alpine flowers with fine hairs on stems, ideal for alpine gardening and rock gardens.

Cassiope selaginoides LS&E 13284

Later on, I did photograph this collected clone of the Cassiope, exhibited by John Dixon, but to be honest, I was just as pleased with the photos of the first one.

White snowdrop flowers in a terracotta pot, blooming indoors.
Delicate white flowering plants of the Alpine Garden Society showcasing native alpine species for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.
Delicate white bell-shaped flowers of a British alpine plant against a dark background, showcasing alpine gardening beauty.

Cassiope wardii

This is a species we don’t often see, difficult to grow and difficult to propagate, so it was good to see a small specimen exhibited by Cliff Booker.

Green cactus with white and red flowers in terracotta pot, desert plant, arid climate succulent, native to dry regions, drought-tolerant flowering cactus, alpine gardening plant, unique succulents collection, winter blooming cactus, drought-resistant garden plant, hardy desert flora.
Cassiope wardii exhibited by Cliff Booker

Vaccinium vitis-idaea var minus

One more Ericaceae, a tiny and charming form of the cowberry, exhibited by Chris Lilley.

Vibrant pink flowering alpine plant with glossy green leaves, ideal for rock gardens and alpine settings, showcasing rare and hardy flora from the Alpine Garden Society.

Salix reticulata dwarf form

Brian Burrow exhibited several little willows, but this immaculate dwarf form of Salix reticulata was the one which caught my eye.

Dense green plant with small textured leaves and pink flower buds in a terracotta pot.
Vibrant green leaves with pink flower spikes of alpine primroses, showcasing alpine gardening and sustainable gardening practices at the Alpine Garden Society.

Stellaria roughii

Now a plant I have never seen before, also from Brian Burrow.  This little chickweed comes from high alpine screes in the Southern Alps in New Zealand.

Low-growing succulent with grey-green leaves and star-shaped white flowers, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries, perfect for cold temperate climates.
Compact succulent plant with tiny greenish-white flowers, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing hardy, drought-tolerant flora perfect for garden enthusiasts and mountain landscaping.
Tiny alpine succulent with grey-green leaves and star-shaped white flowers, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant collections.

Primula allionii x carniolica x albenensis

Brian is a Primula specialist, and this complicated cross is a plant he has grown and exhibited for several years.

Violet primula flowering plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant purple blooms and variegated green leaves, ideal for alpine gardens and woodland environments.
Vivid purple primula flowers in a pot, showcasing alpine garden beauty and vibrant plant cultivation for garden enthusiasts.

Primula farinosa

My final plant from Brian Burrow is the true Primula farinosa, not Primula frondosa which is often sold and exhibited under that name.

Violet Primula Hederacea in terracotta pot with gravel, Alpine Garden Society plant collection.
Bright purple alpine primula flower with a dark grey background, showcasing vivid colours and delicate petals, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and primula lovers.

Pulsatilla rubra subsp hispanica

This is the darkest purple form of Pulsatilla rubra, endemic to the Picos de Europa in Spain.  I grew it once, for five or six years, in a crevice garden trough, but it never set viable seed, and eventually died.  But it is a fabulous thing, and I was delighted to see it exhibited by John & Clare Dower.

Dark purple Alpine poppy with seed pods and lush green foliage, ideal for mountain garden displays.
Dark purple alpine flower with yellow and black centre, surrounded by green foliage, showcasing alpine garden flora and mountain wildflowers for botanical enthusiasts.

Gentiana clusii violacea

This unusual form of Gentiana clusii looked rather curious under artificial lighting in the hall, but it was lovely when I brought it out into daylight.

Alpine garden society flowering plant in a terracotta pot with purple blossoms and rocky soil vibrant alpine garden display.
Vibrant purple and pink alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, featuring detailed petals and lush green foliage, ideal for alpine gardening and plant enthusiasts.

Erigeron aureus ‘Canary Bird’

Another plant I haven’t photographed for a while, exhibited here by Michael Wilson.

Yellow daisy-like flowers in a terracotta pot, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing vibrant spring blooms.
Yellow alpine daisy flowers in a terracotta pot with gravel soil, suitable for rock gardens and alpine plant collections.

Three small pans of rock plants distinct native to any one continent

At this show, there is a special trophy, the Leander Trophy, for the best small three pan exhibit.  In this case, the two main contenders were both exhibited by Mark Childerhouse, and this is the winner.  From the back, his plants were:

  • Androsace hirtella
  • Saxifraga pubescens subsp iratiana
  • Saxifraga spruneri
Vivid display of Alpine plants in terracotta pots, showcasing Saxifrage and other hardy garden flowers, perfect for rock gardens and alpine gardening enthusiasts.
White flowering alpine plant with small yellow stamens, close-up of detailed blooms, ideal for alpine gardening and rock gardens, perfect for plant enthusiasts and garden lovers.
Dense white flowering Saxifrage plant in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing hardy alpine plants for garden enthusiasts.
Dense cluster of white alpine flowering plants in a terracotta pot with small gravel, showcasing alpine garden beauty and plant cultivation.
Tiny white flowers on tall green stems in a terracotta pot; alpine garden plant, suitable for rockeries and small gardens, native to mountain regions.

Six small pans of rock plants

Don Peace won the Grainger Trophy for the Open section Aggregate, with 17 points, six of which came from his entry for six small pans of rock plants, which won the AGS Medal.  Don’s plants included:

  • Hyacinthoides mauritanica subsp vincentina VH702
  • Androsace cylindrica x hirtella
Vibrant display of alpine garden flowers including orchids, daisies, and small flowering plants in terracotta pots at Alpine Garden Society exhibition.
White flowering alpine plant in terracotta pot, ideal for rock gardens and garden borders. Perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Vitrella plants in a terracotta pot with blooming blue flowers against a grey background.
Vibrant blue and white summer flowering plant, cultivated in a garden pot with green foliage, ideal for alpine gardening and themed garden displays.
Bright purple and white alpine flowers blooming, showcasing garden and plant care tips from the Alpine Garden Society.

Uvularia perfoliata

The competition was too strong for my Uvularia, but I thought it looked attractive on the bench, and I was glad I had brought it.

Fresh yellow and green flowering plants from the Alpine Garden Society for rock garden and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Mukdenia rossii ‘Shishiba’

Tommy Anderson (it was good to see him again) staged a fabulous pan of Mukdenia rossii ‘Shishiba’ – I couldn’t taking close-ups of it.

Vase of white flowering alpine plants in a terracotta pot for gardening and landscaping.
Dense cluster of white alpine flowers with dark centers, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries.
Tiny white and green alpine flowers with dark centers, ideal for mountain gardens and rockeries.
Delicate alpine plant flowers with tiny white petals and dark brown centres, showcasing a close-up of alpine garden flora.
Delicate white alpine flowers with dark stamens, thriving in rocky garden conditions, representing alpine plant beauty and resilience, ideal for rock gardens or alpine plant collections.

Ramonda nathaliae JCA 686

Peter Farkasch had a small neat plant of this lovely form of Ramonda nathaliae, which won several Farrer medals for Ivan Pinnick.

Violet African violet plant in a terracotta pot, flowering with delicate purple petals and bright yellow centre, ideal for alpine garden displays and indoor gardening enthusiasts.
Violet and lavender African violets in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant flowers and lush green foliage, popular in alpine gardening and cottage garden plant collections.

Calanthe cultivar

In the Open section class for Orchidaceae, there was another unnamed Calanthe cultivar, this time exhibited by Norman Davies.

Exotic white orchids in a terracotta pot, flowering indoors with lush green foliage, perfect for alpine gardens and tropical plant enthusiasts.
Vivid white and pink alpine orchids with lush green foliage, perfect for alpine garden displays and rockery planting, showcasing the beauty of hardy mountain plants.

Cypripedium Emil gx

The Calanthe lost out to Don Peace’s Cypripedium Emil gx.

Bright yellow Paphiopedilum orchids with dark maroon petals, thriving in an Alpine Garden Society environment.
Unique yellow and maroon orchid from the Alpine Garden Society collection, showcasing rare alpine plant species with vibrant colours and intricate flower structures.
Potted orchid plant with vibrant green leaves and striking yellow and maroon flowers, showcasing rare and exotic orchid varieties for garden enthusiasts.
Cypripedium Emil exhibited by Don Peace

Pleione El Pico gx

Don Peace still had some great pans of Pleione, including this large pan.

Vibrant pink Cymbidium orchids in terracotta pot on grey background, showcasing alpine garden flowering plants.
Vibrant pink and white festival orchids blooming in rich garden soil, showcasing exotic flower varieties for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Pleione Shasta

But my favourite Pleione was this small pan from Don’s small six-pan exhibit, still in perfect condition two weeks after I photographed it at the Midland show.  Maybe it isn’t the same pan; certainly there are only 7 flowers rather than 8, but Don may have taken one off / out if it was looking tired.

Vivid pink and white orchids in a terracotta pot showcasing alpine garden plant varieties.
Vibrant pink orchid flowers with intricate patterns, perfect for alpine gardens and greenhouse displays. Stunning tropical orchids showcasing beauty and diversity.

Clematis ‘Emerald Dream’

Brenda Nickels exhibited this beautiful Clematis in the class for a plant native to the Southern Hemisphere.  Sadly it was disqualified (not according to schedule), as it is a cultivated hybrid.

White flowering Clematis in terracotta pot for alpine garden display.
White clematis flowers in full bloom, showcasing alpine garden beauty and plant diversity. Perfect for rock gardens and garden enthusiasts.
Creamy white alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, perfect for garden decor and alpine plant collections.

Primula sieboldii

Another plant which sadly didn’t find favour with the judges was this lovely violet Primula sieboldii exhibited by Carol Kellett.

Violet primula plant in a terracotta pot with lush green foliage, traditional Alpine Garden Society plant, ideal for rock gardens and alpine groups.
Vivid purple alpine primula flowers on grey background, showcasing alpine garden plant varieties for enthusiasts and collectors.

Haberlea rhodopensis virginalis

Carol still needed one first for her first Gold Bar.  Fortunately, she won the class for three pans of Crassulaceae, and the Miniature garden class.  But my favourite exhibit from her (also the lightest !) was this white Haberlea.  Together, these first brought her the Jeanne Finch Memorial Trophy for the most first points by an East Lancs member.

Violet primrose in a terracotta pot, close-up of a flowering alpine plant for garden decoration and cultivation.
Delicate white alpine flowers with yellow centres, featuring fuzzy green stems and buds, ideal for mountain garden enthusiasts and alpine plant collectors.

Lewisia cotyledon

Bob Worsley exhibited a rather nice pink form of Lewisia cotyledon, which I liked rather better than the orange one I photographed last time.

Vibrant pink primrose flowers in full bloom, ideal for alpine gardens and container planting, showcasing colourful and hardy perennial plants for garden enthusiasts.

Saxifraga pubescens ‘Snowcap’

I am turning now to the heavyweight classes and exhibits.  Brenda Nickels won a Certificate of Merit with this lovely saxifrage, and reached her Gold Medal.

Dense cluster of white flowering primroses (Primula vulgaris) in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardens and pollinator-friendly landscapes.
White alpine flowers in a pot, suitable for rock gardens and planting schemes, thriving in cold climates, with a compact growth habit.
Saxifraga pubescens Snowcap exhibited by Brenda Nickels

Ranunculus amplexicaulis

Chris Lilley won the Jim Lever Memorial Trophy for the best pan of Ranunculaceae, with this fine specimen of Ranunculus amplexicaulis.

White flowering alpine plant in a terracotta pot for garden cultivation and alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Bright white flower cluster featuring delicate petals and vibrant yellow centres, ideal for alpine gardening and flower shows.
Cream Himalayan poppy flower with yellow stamens, alpine flower, close-up botanical, Montana flower, delicate petals, alpine garden plant, vibrant garden flower, alpine gardening inspiration, wildflower ecology, floral nature photography.
White primrose flowers with yellow centers, vibrant green foliage, and a dark background, ideal for alpine garden displays and botanist collections.

Iris subbiflora

Chris Lilley garnered some rude comments from me about this lovely plant, for which I have subsequently apologized.  It was one of the last pots I carried, and unexpectedly heavy (possibly the heaviest of the day), at a point when I was already exhausted – it was the straw which nearly broke the camel’s back.  Fortunately, Chris attained his fifth Gold Bar, so the first for bringing this plant was worth it.  He tells me he has now put some of his plants out to pasture in his allotment.  I rather hope we might see this one again.

Vibrant purple iris flowers blooming in a garden pot with green foliage, showcasing stunning and colourful alpine plants perfect for garden enthusiasts.
Bright purple iris flowers in full bloom, showcasing vibrant colours and intricate petal patterns, ideal for alpine garden and wildflower collection enthusiasts.

Paris quadrifolia

Peter Hood exhibited a huge pot of Paris quadrifolia, which won a Certificate of Merit, but fortunately it was not quite as heavy as it looked, or I would have left it on the bench and photographed it there.

Vibrant green Star of Bethlehem plant with pointed yellow flowers, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries.
Aegopodium podagraria, also known as ground elder, distinguished by its green leaves and unique seed head structure, commonly found in alpine garden displays for botanical interest.
Vivid green plant with unique spider-like yellow-tipped seed pods or flowers, set against lush foliage, showcasing alpine flora at the Alpine Garden Society.

Androsace studiosorum

Geoff Rollinson exhibited a beautiful plant of Androsace studiosorum, in a form that looks a lot like the one which used to be called ‘Doksa’.

Vivid white primula flowers in a terracotta pot, demonstrating alpine gardening excellence.
Delicate white primroses with yellow centers blooming, ideal for alpine gardens, rockeries, and container gardening to enhance outdoor aesthetics and biodiversity.

Androsace studiosorum

This plant was exhibited by Frank and Barbara Hoyle as Androsace sp. but the judges felt it was probably Androsace studiosorum.  It was second in its class – I think the only plant Frank brought which didn’t win – but received a Certificate of Merit from the judges.

Vibrant pink primula flowers in a terracotta pot, used for alpine gardening and rock garden displays.
Bright pink primula flowers in full bloom, showcasing vibrant colours and lush foliage, perfect for alpine gardens and garden enthusiasts.
Pink primula flowers for alpine gardening, vibrant and lush blooms ideal for rock gardens and mountain landscapes.

Primula henrici

Another monster from Frank and Barbara Hoyle.  I thought this was a fabulous exhibit, but the judges said it had been better in previous years, and didn’t award a Certificate of Merit.  Some judges dislike it when the older flowers have darkened in colour to produce this two-tone effect.

Vivid purple Primula valesii flowering plant in terracotta pot at Alpine Garden Society exhibition.
Vivid pink and yellow primroses in a large terracotta pot, perfect for alpine and rock gardens, showcasing vibrant garden flowering plants.
Violet Primula flowers, vibrant garden primroses, perfect for alpine gardens and plant enthusiasts.

Three large pans of Rock Plants

Next we come to Frank and Barbara Hoyle’s entry for the class for three large pans of rock plants.  What an astonishing group !

Vibrant potted alpine plants with colourful flowers displayed at the Alpine Garden Society event in a greenhouse.

Draba ‘John Saxton’

The first of the three-pan entry was this large and frothy pan of Draba, which received a Certificate of Merit.

Vibrant white thriving alyssum plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing lush blooms and dense foliage for alpine garden inspiration.
White flowering alpine plant with small blooms, ideal for rock gardens and alpine gardening enthusiasts. Suitable for containers and garden borders. Perfect for Alpine Garden Society members.

Hymenoxys acaulis hybrid

The Hymenoxys at the front of the entry also received a Certificate of Merit.  This is a hybrid seedling which appeared in Frank’s sand plunge.  One parent is presumed to be Hymenoxys acaulis, but Frank is uncertain about the other.

Vivid yellow Alpine flowers in a round terracotta pot, thriving in rocky, well-drained soil, showcasing hardy alpine garden plants for outdoor decoration and climate resilience.
Vibrant yellow garden flowers blooming among lush green foliage, perfect for alpine garden displays and landscape design, showcasing colourful alpine plant varieties.

Androsace villosa GFS

The third plant in the three-pan entry was Frank’s specimen of Androsace villosa GFS.  I assume this means this is the same clone as John Dixon’s plant, which won the Farrer medal the previous week at Cleveland.

Vivid white alpine flowers in terracotta pot, perfect for mountain gardening and rock gardens, showcasing the beauty of alpine plants.

Androsace villosa GFS73

John Dixon’s specimen was also here, but I have (carried and) photographed it several times in the last couple of years, and decided to be content with a shot on the show bench.

White flowering alpine plant in terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing vibrant bloom and lush foliage for garden enthusiasts.

Androsace villosa group

But the daddy of them all was this pan of Androsace from Frank and Barbara Hoyle, which won the Farrer medal.  Don’s picture of Frank with the plant gives you some idea of the size of it.

This is the plant which won Frank and Barbara the Farrer medal at Hexham last year, when Frank exhibited it as subsp. koso-poljanskii.  But several other experts suggested that it was not like the form they grew under that name, so Frank exhibited it this year as Androsace sp., and the judges settled on Androsace villosa group.

Vibrant white alyssum flowers in a large terracotta pot with smiling man in the background.
Vivid white alyssum flowering plant in large terracotta pot at Alpine Garden Society exhibition.
Dense white Alyssum flowering plant in a terracotta pot for Alpine garden displays.
Dense cluster of white Primula vulgaris flowers, showcasing alpine garden plant varieties for lush garden displays.
White flowering plant, dense cluster of small blossoms, ideal for alpine gardens, showcasing elegant white flowers with yellow centres for garden enthusiasts.

Well, I was just about exhausted, but I had had a wonderful time.  I spent a good part of it catching up with old friends among the exhibitors, and making new friends among the members of the local groups.

Thanks to show secretary Alan Elwell for organising such a terrific show, and to all the local group members for their hard work, particularly the ladies who kept me supplied with sandwiches and tea.  Thanks also to the judges and stewards, and to the exhibitors who brought a fantastic selection of plants, and reminded me of what the shows used to be like.  And finally, thanks to Robert Potterton for the loan of his table – I hope you feel I put it to good use.

Read previous entries at The Photographers Diary

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