AGS Hyde Hall Show 2021

The dust from the Harlow Carr show had barely settled before another one came along. This was at the RHS Garden at Hyde Hall – a two hour drive – so a day-trip for us rather than an overnight stay. But staging finished at 9.15am, entailing an early start. Alas, the routine of rising and setting off for a show in the dark with a car full of plants is no longer familiar, and parts of me resented the early start for most of the morning.

Sunrise

The darkness continued longer than expected – a heavy sheet of cloud extended almost to the eastern horizon. But as we left the M25 behind, the sky to the east lit up with a sheet of red; it must have been a fantastic sight from the hill on which the show hall stands.

Sadly, by the time of our arrival, perhaps 20 minutes later, the colour had faded, and daylight was creeping across the landscape.

Rural alpine garden with diverse drought-tolerant plants, rocks, and gravel pathways, offering a serene landscape view ideal for alpine plant enthusiasts and gardeners.

Rural garden landscape with diverse alpine and native plants, rocks, and trees at dusk, showcasing alpine gardening and plant diversity.

Show Hall

The show hall was situated right on top of the hill in the centre of the garden, with wonderful views over the garden and the Essex landscape. On a brighter day the large windows would have let in plenty of light.

Vehicle access was a little tricky (five cars maximum at the show hall at any time), but we were soon parked and unloaded, thanks to the well-organised team of marshalls.

Alpine Garden Society outdoor garden with seating, stone borders, and diverse alpine plants, ideal for gardening enthusiasts and plant lovers.

Modern alpine garden centre building with large glass windows and wooden elements, surrounded by diverse native plants, welcoming visitors to the Alpine Garden Society venue.

The last photo was taken by Doug Joyce. Doug helped me with the photography, and most of the general views of the hall, and of the public viewing the show benches and nursery stands are his.

Inside the hall, the exhibitors had been busy already, and the benches were already decked with plants. Cyclamen, Saxifraga fortunei, and Oxalis stood out. The hall was a hive of activity; the computer desk registered a stream of late entries from exhibitors who had brought additional plants to support the display.

Vibrant potted cyclamen flowers displayed indoors at Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing diverse colourful varieties perfect for garden and container planting in the UK.

Alpine garden society floral display with colourful pot plants and flowers, showcasing the diverse flora associated with alpine and mountainous environments, at a gardening event.

Artistic Section

At one end of the hall, a row of boards contained a small artistic entry. This show was being treated as a continuation of the 2020 show year (i.e. works exhibited in 2020 were still eligible). So, many of the artworks were familiar from the 2020 Pershore Early Spring show, with some new pictures amongst them.

Alpine Garden Society art exhibition display showcasing detailed botanical illustrations and paintings of alpine flowers for gardening and plant enthusiast communities.

The two main exhibitors were Rannveig Wallis and Gemma Hayes. The contrast between their styles was immediately evident. Rannveig favours a gentler, pastel-shaded watercolour, whereas Gemma uses strong lines and strong but true to life colours, particularly in this striking painting of Iris pumila.

Iris diaphana botanical illustration of alpine iris flowers growing in the wild and suitable for rock gardens and alpine plant collections, showcasing the beauty of alpine flora for gardening enthusiasts. — Three portraits of alpine plants by Rannveig Wallis

Vibrant yellow and purple iris flower illustration, showcasing detailed botanical art within the Alpine Garden Society collection. — Three portraits of alpine plants by Rannveig Wallis

Outside the hall, partly sheltered by the deep eaves of the roof, there was a small selection of nurseries. The weather was not perhaps as cold as it might have been (the wind was not roaring in off the North Sea), but even so the nurserymen needed to be well wrapped up.

Tim and Gillian Ingram at Copton Ash Nursery

Vibrant display of alpine plants at an Alpine Garden Society event, with visitors exploring succulent and mountain plants, expert vendors, and garden enthusiasts engaging in plant conservation and gardening activities.

Vibrant outdoor plant sale at Alpine Garden Society event with visitors engaging and buying alpine plants, set against lush garden backdrop.

Daisy Roots Perennial Nursery

Bright flowering alpine plants display at alpine garden society event with colourful foliage and blooms, showcasing choice alpine plants for enthusiasts.

Alpine garden society plant sale outdoor event with diverse plants and gardening enthusiasts featuring vibrant alpine flora and landscape displays.

Tim and Rachel Lever from Aberconwy Nursery

Gemma was left at home minding their young man – already nine months old, and into everything.

Vibrant front view of a bustling Alpine Garden Society plant sale, showcasing diverse alpine plants and gardening enthusiasts exploring and purchasing plants outdoors at a heritage garden event.

Alpine Garden Society plant sale event with visitors browsing potted alpine plants outdoors.

Riverside Bulbs

Vivid image of a woman at an Alpine Garden Society plant stall showcasing a variety of alpine plant seeds and bulbs for gardening enthusiasts in a rustic indoor setting.

Seedlings and bulbs stall at an Alpine Garden Society event showcasing alpine plants and gardening accessories in an outdoor garden setting in the UK.

Plantbase

Alpine Garden Society plant sale stall with various alpine plants and visitors browsing at outdoor gardening event in the UK.

Vase of alpine plants for sale at an Alpine Garden Society plant fair, showcasing a diverse range of colourful hardy plants and garden accessories.

The Alpine Garden Society Members Plant Stall

Alpine Garden Society plant display at horticultural event with gardening enthusiasts browsing alpine plants and succulents showcased on tables.

Alpine plants and succulents display at a garden society event, outdoor sale with gardening enthusiasts, showcasing a variety of drought-tolerant and alpine species for garden enthusiasts.

Soon judging was finished and the hall filled with people, both exhibitors and visitors, all eager to see the plants and the results. Thanks to Doug Joyce for these pictures; I was busy now photographing plants.

Beautiful variety of flowering plants in terracotta pots displayed at the Alpine Garden Society show, attracting garden enthusiasts and plant collectors in a vibrant indoor setting.

Alpine garden society display with potted plants and flowers at an indoor gardening event in a bright, modern venue.

Crocus asumaniae and kotschyanus

As always, the first plants I photographed when judging was finished (well, finishing) were the Crocus. Long ago I learnt not to trust them, but to photograph them immediately if they were looking good. Ian Robertson exhibited the biggest pans, including C. asumaniae and C. kotschyanus.

White alpine crocus flowers in terracotta pot with gravel soil for alpine gardening and rock garden design, conservation, and plant cultivation. — Crocus asumaniae exhibited by Ian Robertson

Pink and white crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing early spring flowering plants. — Crocus kotschyanus exhibited by Ian Robertson

Crocus niveus

Ian Robertson also exhibited Crocus niveus. This has beautiful two-tone flowers which make lovely close-ups.

Bright white crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, perfect for alpine and rock gardens, showcasing early spring flowering bulbs with vibrant yellow stamens. — Crocus niveus exhibited by Ian Robertson

White crocus flowers blooming in a garden bed with green grass and small pebbles, showcasing early spring blooms.

White crocus flower with vibrant orange stamens, close-up shot showcasing detailed petals and natural beauty, perfect for Alpine Garden Society garden plants, floral displays, and seasonal bloom collections.

Crocus longiflorus

Bob and Rannveig Wallis brought this small group of C. longiflorus – another pan in great condition.

Crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant purple petals and orange stamens, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts. — Crocus longiflorus exhibited by Bob & Rannveig Wallis

Crocus goulimyi ex Agia Sofia

I was delighted to see this pan exhibited by Anne Vale. This is one of Lee Martin’s plants, which has always caused dissension among the judges; some of them feel it is virused (because of the veining in the petals). However, this characteristic is passed on to the seedlings (and most viruses are not transmitted by seed); this exhibit was of seedlings from the original collection.

Purple crocus flowers in bloom, thriving in a terracotta pot as part of alpine garden displays for the Alpine Garden Society. — Crocus goulimyi ex Agia Sofia exhibited by Anne Vale

Crocus cartwrightianus

Just one pan of Crocus refused stubbornly to open fully, and that was Don Peace’s C. cartwrightianus.

White crocus flowers in a terracotta pot with pebbles, early spring blooms, alpine garden society cultivated crocuses, spring flowering bulbs, garden planting ideas, hardy flower bulbs, alpine gardening, gardening tips and advice. — Crocus cartwrightianus exhibited by Don Peace

Oxalis

One of the features of the show was a number of beautifully grown and flowered pans of Oxalis, including at least three 3-pan entries. Intermediate section exhibitor Barbara Chapman brought all of these, apparently unaware that her success with them was notable. The official show reporter spent some time talking to her, and I hope he may be able to reveal a little of how she does it.

Pink, flowering alpine plants for garden, alpine garden society, container gardening, colourful flower display.

Alpine Garden Society plant display featuring colourful and diverse alpine flowers in terracotta and black pots. Perfect for enthusiasts & collectors of alpine plants and garden displays.

The following pictures show some of Barbara Chapman’s plants individually; we seldom see these plants looking this good. These are:

Oxalis flava
Oxalis hirta ‘Gothenburg form’
Oxalis perdicaria ‘Cetrino’
Oxalis polyphylla subsp. pentaphylla
Oxalis versicolor

Primula in a terracotta pot showcasing vibrant yellow flowers, part of the alpine garden display, ideal for mountain and rock gardens. — Oxalis flava exhibited by Barbara Chapman

Pink flowering garden plants, vibrant and lush, perfect for Alpine gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors. Bright blooms add colour and charm to alpine garden displays and containers. — Oxalis hirta ‘Gothenburg form’ exhibited by Barbara Chapman

White nemesia flowers in a terracotta pot, highlighting alpine and garden plant varieties for gardening enthusiasts. — Oxalis hirta ‘Gothenburg form’ exhibited by Barbara Chapman

Small Pan Class for Six Rock Plants

Bob and Rannveig Wallis won the AGS Medal for the small pan class for six rock plants, with this fine collection.

Vibrant potted cyclamen and primula flowers displayed at the Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing diverse alpine plants for gardening enthusiasts.

Bob and Rannveig’s entry included fine pans of

Crocus tournefortii
Oxalis perdicaria ‘Cetrino’
Cyclamen maritimum
Cyclamen graecum subsp. candicum

The judges selected the last of these, and awarded it the Keith Moorhouse Trophy for the best plant in a 19cm pot.

Vivid white crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, showcasing early spring alpine garden plants. — *Crocus tournefortii*

Yellow and white alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts. — *Oxalis perdicaria* ‘Cetrino’

Vivid pink cyclamen flowers in a decorative pot, set against a dark background, showcasing vibrant colours, perfect for alpine garden plants and garden display ideas. — *Cyclamen maritimum*

Alpine crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, showcasing delicate pastel petals and bright orange stamens, perfect for alpine gardening and rock gardens. — *Crocus tournefortii*

Cyclamen with variegated green leaves and white/pink blooms, indoor plant suitable for alpine and shade gardens. — *Cyclamen graecum subsp. candicum*

Large pan class for Three Rock Plants

Bob and Rannveig Wallis also won the large pan class for three rock plants with this grouping. As you would expect, they ended up winning the Open section aggregate award.

These plants included the beautifully scented Hyacinthoides lingulata, and a large pan of Cyclamen maritimum, which won them the Saunders Award for the Best Cyclamen, and the Farrer Medal for the Best Plant in the Show.

Yellow Primula in a terracotta pot, pink Cyclamen and blue Hyacinth flowers displayed at Alpine Garden Society event for plant enthusiasts and horticulturists.

Blue hyacinth flowers in a terracotta pot, vibrant spring garden plant, alpine garden society member plant, ornamental flowering bulb, perfect for alpine and rock gardens. — *Hyacinthoides lingulata*

Violet cyclamen flowers blooming in a large clay pot, symbolising alpine garden plants. Perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors. — *Hyacinthoides lingulata*

Petrocosmea forrestii

David Carver won the aggregate award for the Novice section with a collection of plants which included this pretty Petrocosmea.

Alpine garden society primula auricula flowering plant in terracotta pot. — Petrocosmea forrestii exhibited by David Carver

Rebutia heliosa var. condorensis

Another exhibitor in the Novice and other sections was much in evidence around the show – our new Social Media and Website Content Editor, Razvan Chisu. Razvan’s plants included a cactus – this fine pan of Rebutia.

Vibrant display of alpine plants and flowers at the Alpine Garden Society event, with a visitor taking photos among colourful blooms.

Unique globular cactus collection in a terracotta pot, showcasing diverse spherical cacti varieties, ideal for desert garden enthusiasts and succulent collectors. — Rebutia heliosa var condorensis exhibited by Razvan Chisu

Notothlaspi rosulatum

The Intermediate section aggregate award went to Alex O’Sullivan. Alex brought a selection of tricky high alpine plants he had grown from seed. First the New Zealand Penwiper Plant, Nothothlaspi rosulatum.

Green succulent plant in a terracotta pot surrounded by rocks, ideal for alpine gardening and rockeries. — Notothlaspi rosulatum exhibited by Alex O’Sullivan

Viola cotyledon

Alex O’Sullivan also brought two plants of this rosulate Viola from South America. The judges awarded this one a Certificate of Merit. Rosulate Viola are so rare and difficult to grow that they are seldom seen on the show bench. The last one I photographed was Viola skottsbergiana (in flower) at the Summer Show South in 2014.

RHS Alpine succulent plant in terracotta pot with soil, close-up of green rosette-shaped foliage. — Viola cotyledon exhibited by Alex O’Sullivan

Rebutia heliosa

In the Open section, more non-flowering plants caught the eye. Anne Vale exhibited a lovely plant of this cactus species.

Small green succulent plants in a round terracotta pot, adapted for alpine gardens, thriving in well-drained soil. Perfect for rockeries and container gardening enthusiasts. — Rebutia heliosa exhibited by Anne Vale

Sulcorebutia rauschii f. violacidermis

Even more spectacular was this rare form of Sulcorebutia rauschii, for which Anne received a Certificate of Merit.

Tiny cactus plants in a terracotta pot, showcasing diverse shapes and textures, ideal for Alpine Garden Society cactus collections. Perfect for growing in rocky, well-drained soils. — Sulcorebutia rauschii f violacidermis exhibited by Anne Vale

Abies lasiocarpa ‘Duflon’

As well as cacti, Anne Vale exhibited this huge specimen of the desperately slow-growing conifer Abies lasiocarpa ‘Duflon’. I was more than a little surprised when the judges placed it third out of three entries.

Vibrant green dwarf conifer shrub in a black pot, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing lush needle-like foliage and compact growth. — Abies lasiocarpa Duflon exhibited by Anne Vale

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’

At the autumn shows there are classes for plants exhibiting autumn colour. This pan of grasses exhibited by Barbara Chapman caught my eye. Backlit by the lights overhead, I thought it was spectacularly beautiful.

Golden Japanese Forest Grass in a display at the Alpine Garden Society, showcasing its ornamental foliage and ideal for shade gardens and containers, perfect for garden enthusiasts. — Hakonechloa macra Aureola exhibited by Barbara Chapman

Viburnum opulus ‘Nanum’

More autumn colour, this time from a dwarf cultivar of Viburnum exhibited by Don Peace.

Rich primula plant with variegated green and pink leaves in a black pot, thriving in partnership with Alpine Garden Society for gardening excellence and plant care tips. — Viburnum opulus Nanum exhibited by Don Peace

Correa reflexa ‘Brisbane Ranges’

Michael Sullivan’s Correa exhibited colour of a different sort. Huge, and awkward to photograph in its entirety, it sported bright colours which caught everyone’s attention.

Vivid red tubular flowers of a flowering plant from the Alpine Garden Society, showcasing vibrant blooms and lush green foliage, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts. — Correa reflexa Brisbane Ranges exhibited by Michael Sullivan

Fuchsias with vibrant red and yellow bell-shaped flowers, lush green foliage, cultivated at the Alpine Garden Society for enthusiasts and garden lovers in the UK.

Vivid red and yellow tubular alpine flower with green foliage, a stunning example of hardy mountain plant for rock gardens or alpine collections.

Saxifraga berica

Some plants from the Harlow Carr show two weeks ago reappeared here. Mark Childerhouse’s rare Saxifraga berica received a Certificate of Merit, and a Botanical Certificate from the Joint Rock Garden Committee.

White alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, alpine garden society plant, delicate white flowering plant for rock gardens, lush green foliage and tiny white blossoms, ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts. — Saxifraga berica exhibited by Mark Childerhouse

Pleione ‘Confirmation’

Ian Robertson exhibited this large pan of Pleione. Although there were plenty of flowers, it was hard to find one which would make a close-up, and I was on the point of giving up when a friend pointed out this one.

Violet flowers of an orchid plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine garden flora for gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors. — Pleione Confirmation exhibited by Ian Robertson

Vanda orchid in a terracotta pot with purple and white petals, part of alpine garden plant collection.

Allium callimischon subsp. callimischon

This onion from Bob and Rannveig Wallis caused me a little confusion. It was a tall form – subsp. haemostictum tends to be short – but I thought the red spots inside the flower were diagnostic for subsp. haemostictum.

White alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing native plants perfect for rock gardens and alpine settings. Ideal for enthusiasts of alpine gardening and mountain flora. — Allium callimischon subsp callimischon exhibited by Bob & Rannveig Wallis

White flowers with red spots and orange stamens, part of the Alpine Garden Society botanical collection, showcasing rare and exotic alpine plant species, perfect for enthusiasts and garden collectors.

Sternbergia greuteriana

Don Peace exhibited this pan of Sternbergia. I think most Sternbergia flowered early this year for the exhibitors, and missed these two shows.

Bright yellow alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, thriving in rocky soil, showcasing alpine garden planting and cultivation. — Sternbergia greuteriana exhibited by Don Peace

Nerine gaboronensis

Likewise, there were very few Nerine on the show bench. In my case, these are not quite out yet. I had several pans I wanted to bring but the buds just wouldn’t open. It is a while since I photographed N. gaboronensis. Tim Lever exhibited this pan; I think his stock derives from the fabulous potful Chris and Freda Norton produced at the Loughborough Autumn Show in 2008 (second photo).

Pink gloriosa lily flowers in bloom, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing vibrant colours and unique floral structure, ideal for gardening enthusiasts and botanists. — Nerine gaboronensis exhibited by Tim Lever

Pink Lycoris flower cluster against dark background, showcasing vibrant colour and delicate petals, ideal for alpine gardening and plant enthusiasts. — Nerine gaboronensis exhibited by Tim Lever

Massonia jasminiflora

This fine Massonia was another of Alex O’Sullivan’s plants in the Intermediate section.

Alpine garden plant with glossy green leaves and delicate white flowers in a gravel pot, showcasing the beauty of alpine gardening. — Massonia jasminiflora exhibited by Alex O’Sullivan

Lachenalia (formerly Polyxena) ensifolia var. ensifolia

I have always struggled with this plant. Under glass the leaves and the raceme of flowers always extend upwards in a most unsatisfactory manner. So this year, as soon as there was any sign of buds, I removed the plant from the greenhouse and placed it on a picnic table in the middle of the lawn, where it would get as much light as possible. The results speak for themselves; I think the copious water it received in the last few weeks has also helped.

White flowering crocus in terracotta pot, showing early spring bloom for alpine and rock garden enthusiasts. Perfect for alpine garden society collections and cold climate gardens. — Lachenalia ensifolia var ensifolia exhibited by Jon Evans

Nothoscordum hirtellum

Also on my picnic table was this Ipheion / Nothoscordum species. It draws at the drop of a hat – in fact the flower stems extended almost an inch during the show. I was very pleased to exhibit it with two flowers on straight stems, though two days later there are four.

Yellow crocus flowers in a terracotta pot, thriving in rocky soil, showcasing early spring bloom; ideal for alpine gardening and rock gardens. — Nothoscordum hirtellum exhibited by Jon Evans

Yellow flowering plant with dark markings on petals against a dark background, highlighting botanical beauty and floral diversity for alpine gardens. — Nothoscordum hirtellum exhibited by Jon Evans

Narcissus viridiflorus

Several more flowers have opened on my pot of green daffodils since the Harlow Carr show, improving its appearance somewhat, but it was still not quite up to the standard of the pot exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis (last photo).

Alpine flowering plants in a pot, showcasing delicate blooms and slender green stems against a dark background. — Narcissus viridiflorus exhibited by Jon Evans

Native alpine plant with star-shaped yellow-green flowers and slender green stems, ideal for rock gardens and alpine landscapes. — Narcissus viridiflorus exhibited by Jon Evans

Narcissus obsoletus

Bob and Rannveig Wallis also exhibited a good pan of white autumn-flowering Narcissus under the name N. obsoletus. It would be good to have a clear set of diagnostics for these autumn species.

White alpine flowers with slender green stems in a pot, showcasing rare plants cultivated by the Alpine Garden Society. — Narcissus obsoletus exhibited by Bob & Rannveig Wallis

White alpine primula flower, garden plant, delicate white blossoms for alpine gardening and rock gardens, high-quality close-up photograph, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and plant collectors.

White alpine flower with five delicate petals and a yellow-green centre, ideal for alpine gardening and rockeries.

Galanthus peshmenii ‘Kastellorizo’

The entries also included several different autumn-flowering snowdrops. The pick of them came from Don Peace, known for exhibiting snowdrops in the spring. First, a selected clone of G. peshmenii.

Snowdrop flowers in a terracotta pot, vibrant garden plant suitable for alpine and woodland gardens, symbolising the start of spring.

Snowdrop flower, early spring bulb, part of alpine garden plants, with delicate white petals and green accents, native to mountainous regions, ideal for UK alpine gardening enthusiasts, tip for garden design.

Galanthus reginae-olgae ‘Cambridge’

This was perhaps my favourite, also from Don Peace.

Snowdrop flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing early spring bloomers perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries. Ideal for enthusiasts of snowdrops and alpine plant collections.

Alpine snowdrop flower showcasing delicate white petals and green markings, representing alpine plants and gardening.

Galanthus reginae-olgae

David and Liz Livermore showed an interesting form of G. reginae-olgae, with long outer petals. Sadly my close-ups of this have movement in.

Snowdrops flowering plant, characteristic of Alpine Garden Society collections, in bloom with delicate white petals against dark background.

Galanthus corcyrensis

Bob and Rannveig Wallis exhibited this plant as G. corcyrensis, a name which is often treated as synonymous with G. reginae-olgae, but a nice plant whatever the name.

Snowdrops in terracotta pot, alpine garden society, snowdrops in bloom, early spring flowers, garden planting, Alpine Garden Society, horticulture, botanical garden, flowering plants, flower gardening, bulb flowers.

Cyclamen colchicum

However, two genera in particular dominated the show, Cyclamen, and Saxifraga, specifically Saxifraga fortunei. We have already seen two prize-winning Cyclamen from the Wallises. I photographed Ian Robertson’s C. colchicum because it is not a species we see often; I have only photographed it on two previous occasions.

Purple cyclamen in a terracotta pot with green leaves and stony soil .

Cyclamen cyprium

This pan of C. cyprium won Don Peace the Halsted Trophy for the best plant in the seed-raised classes.

White flowering alpine cyclamen plant in terracotta pot with variegated leaves - perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and container gardening.

Cyclamen graecum subsp. candicum

There were many more specimens of Cyclamen graecum subsp. candicum. The first two shown here were from Bob and Rannveig Wallis, and the third, a stunning plant, was from Ian Robertson.

Violet Cyclamen in a terracotta pot with dark green variegated leaves, showcasing vibrant pink and white flowers on a grey background.

Aromatic cyclamen plant in a terracotta pot with variegated green leaves and vibrant pink and white flowers, ideal for alpine gardens and container planting.

Cyclamen in a flower pot, showcasing vibrant pink and white blooms with variegated green leaves, ideal for alpine gardens and suitable for alpine garden society displays.

Cyclamen graecum subsp. graecum

Another lovely specimen from Bob and Rannveig Wallis.

Purple cyclamen floweringplant in a terracotta pot with variegated green leaves, showcasing alpine garden plants for shade and dry conditions, popular with Alpine Garden Society members.

Cyclamen hederifolium

Bob and Rannveig also brought a very presentable small plant of C. hederifolium.

Pink flowering cyclamen plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant blooms and variegated foliage, ideal for alpine gardens and container plantings.

Cyclamen mirabile

Cyclamen even did well in the foliage classes; Don Peace showed this beautiful plant of C. mirabile.

Vibrant variegated cyclamen plant with green, pink, and white leaves in a terracotta pot, showcases alpine garden gardening, perfect for alpine plant enthusiasts and indoor garden displays.

Cyclamen persicum

For me, this C. persicum from Bob and Rannveig had the most beautiful leaves of all.

Vivid variegated cyclamen plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing intricate leaf patterns and vibrant colours, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Saxifraga fortunei ‘Beni Guruma’

I am going to look now at the S. fortunei cultivars. Mark Childerhouse, a saxifrage specialist, brought many of these, in a variety of eye-catching colours. The deep red ones were particularly spectacular.

Vivid pink flowering plant with vibrant leaves in a horticultural display, showcasing alpine garden plant varieties for enthusiasts and collectors.

Vivid red and yellow alpine flowers from the Alpine Garden Society, highlighting rare and beautiful mountain plants for garden enthusiasts and collectors.

Saxifraga fortunei ‘Beni Tsukasa’

This is another of Mark’s plants, equally red, but different in form.

Red flowering plant with green leaves, suitable for alpine gardens and container planting - image from Alpine Garden Society.

Vivid red and yellow flowering plants from the Alpine Garden Society, showcasing hardy alpine plants perfect for rock gardens and containers. Ideal for alpine plant enthusiasts.

Saxifraga fortunei ‘Toshorin’

It was hard to choose – they were all lovely. This was another from Mark Childerhouse.

Pink flowering plant in a pot, suitable for alpine gardening, with vibrant blooms and lush green foliage, ideal for garden enthusiasts and collectors of rare alpine plants.

Saxifraga fortunei ‘Beni Kirin’

Don Peace exhibited this lovely, frilly cultivar.

Pink flowering primula plant with green foliage, showcasing vibrant blooms ideal for alpine gardens and garden enthusiast collections.

Saxifraga fortunei ‘Shiranami’

Don also brought a number of plants of this strong white cultivar.

White alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing the beauty of alpine gardening. Perfect for enthusiasts of the Alpine Garden Society with a focus on alpine plant cultivation and floral displays.

Saxifraga fortunei ‘Eiga’

At the Harlow Carr show, Don won the prize for the best plant in a 19cm pot with this plant (and a Certificate of Merit). Here, it won the Saxifraga Group Salver for the best pan of Saxifraga.

Pink flowering plant with star-shaped blooms, popular in alpine gardens and container planting.

Flower Arrangements

Finally, I would like to turn my attention to the flower arrangement class. As at Harlow Carr, David Carver was second with a very neat little arrangement.

Anne Vale does not normally enter the flower arrangement classes – she claims she cannot do it. But I can only think that she was channelling the master, Lee Martin, when she constructed this wonderful autumnal exhibit.

Vibrant spring flower arrangement with azaleas, lilies, and hyacinths in a decorative pot for Alpine Garden Society events and plant exhibitions.

I would like to thank everyone who helped to create such a successful show at a new venue:

the staff of RHS Hyde Hall who did a lot behind the scenes to make things go so smoothly
the AGS volunteers who worked all day (and a long day) to man the show desk and steward the show, sell plants on the Members’ Plant Stall, and particularly to guide exhibitors’ cars in and out at the start and end of the day under difficult constraints
show secretary Kit Strange and her husband Steve Bratley for organising everything, and Steve for his efforts to carry plants for me
the exhibitors for bringing a fine display of plants
and (as Strictly would remind us) last but not least, the Judges. We always complain about them, but they volunteer to come a long way and do a difficult job, and get it at least ‘mostly’ right.

Read previous entries in the Photographer’s Diary

AGS Hyde Hall Show 2021