AGS Loughborough Show 2023

Despite the snow and ice on the Pennines, the Loughborough show delivers a hall full of colour and stunning plants. ...(more below)
March 17, 2023
AGS Editor
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Loughborough is usually the biggest and busiest of the early Spring shows.  The exhibitors from the first shows in the south run up against a tide of magnificent plants from the North.  This year, bad weather prevented some exhibitors from coming south, but it was still a terrific show.

Weather Worries

I didn’t need my alarm clock on Saturday morning – I was wide awake by 4am.  The weather in the week running up to the show had been awful, with unpredictable falls of snow, and icy roads.  Even Friday night there was a forecast of a hard frost;  I was concerned there might be problems on the roads.

In the event, I need not have worried;  it was cold but dry when I left.  The sunrise was magnificent, clouds suffused with red then flushed with gold as the sun rose.  The only problem I encountered on the journey was a road closure less than half a mile away from my destination; fortunately I was able to find a way round.

Snow on the Pennines

By 8am I was at the show.  There were big plants there, but not as many as I had feared.  Normally, this is the first show at which we see plants from exhibitors in the North-West.  This year, with bad weather all week, snow on the ground and problems crossing the Pennines on the M62, almost all of my friends from this part of the country had decided not to risk the journey.  However, it was great to meet a small contingent off the ferry from Ireland, including old friends.

Waiting for the Off

Before long, the benches were full, the exhibitors had retired for a cup of tea and a chance to peruse the sales tables.  The hall was crowded with judges and stewards.

Brightly coloured spring bulbs and flowering plants arranged in terracotta pots at an indoor gardening exhibition, with visitors examining the displays and creating a lively, vibrant atmosphere.
Alpine garden society flower exhibition in showcase with potted plants and visitors exploring plant displays.
Vibrant flowering plants in terracotta pots displayed at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing diverse alpine and rock garden plants for enthusiasts and collectors.
Colorful potted alpine plants displayed at an Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing a variety of flowering species and hardy plants suitable for mountain gardens.
Alpine Garden Society plant display with vibrant flowering pots, showcasing diverse alpine plants and flowers at an indoor event.
Alpine garden plants in pots at a horticultural display for the Alpine Garden Society.
Vibrant potted daffodils and primroses at an Alpine Garden Society plant display, showcasing early spring flowering plants in a community greenhouse or plant fair setting.
Vibrant alpine plants and colourful flowering potted plants displayed at the Alpine Garden Society event, attracting gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors.
Vibrant collection of alpine and garden flowers in colourful pots at the Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing diverse plant varieties for enthusiasts and gardeners.
Colourful spring flower arrangements in terracotta pots at Alpine Garden Society show, showcasing a wide variety of cultivated garden plants perfect for alpine and rock garden enthusiasts.

Problems with Sunshine

Beams of bright sunlight from the high windows illuminated small patches of the benches, and made some views almost impossible to photograph, unless I resorted to taking two images and using HDR (High Dynamic Range) tools to combine them.

Colourful alpine flowering plants displayed in terracotta pots at an Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing diverse hardy plants ideal for alpine gardens.
Flower display of assorted colourful alpine plants at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition in terracotta pots in a well-lit greenhouse.
Charming display of potted chrysanthemums at the Alpine Garden Society flower show, showcasing vibrant purple and yellow blooms in terracotta pots, highlighting best in show plants.

After these wider views, I turned to photographing some of the three-pan classes in situ.  These included three pans of Corydalis from Don Peace.

Corydalis marshalliana, alpine garden plants in terracotta pots, showcasing vibrant flowering plants, perfect for rock gardens and alpine displays.
Vivid display of potted alpine flowers at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing colourful and diverse plant varieties perfect for rock gardens and alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Bright yellow daffodils in terracotta pots displayed at an Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing diverse hardy plants and bulbs suitable for alpine gardens and rockeries.
Blue and purple irises blooming in terracotta pots at Alpine Garden Society plant show.
Alpine garden society spring flower display with diverse potted plants including daffodils and primroses in a greenhouse setting.

Dionysia classes

The most impressive classes were those for Dionysia.

Flowering alpine plants in terracotta pots at an Alpine Garden Society event with colourful blooms and rocks, showcasing rock garden plants and horticultural displays for plant enthusiasts.
Vivid colourful chrysanthemums in terracotta pots displayed at an alpine garden show, showcasing diverse varieties and vibrant blooms, perfect for gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Here are some entries from Paul and Gill Ranson.

Vibrant yellow and green alpine plants in terracotta pots displayed at the Alpine Garden Society show, highlighting diverse rock garden and alpine flora collection for gardening enthusiasts.
Diverse colourful flowering plants in terracotta pots at Alpine Garden Society plant exhibition.
Dionysia Hyperion and Dionysia lamingtonii flowering cacti in terracotta pots at Alpine Garden Society show, showcasing hardy alpine plants for rock gardens and containers.

By now judging had started.  This magnified my problems with the sunshine – judges move, so I couldn’t use HDR.  These angelic souls are Paddy Smith, Chris Lilley, and Jim McGregor.  Followed by Ray Drew, Ian Kidman, Bob Worsley and Gavin Moore.

Vibrant display of potted spring flowers at an Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing colourful daffodils, primroses, and orchids under bright lighting.
Beautiful display of alpine plants and flowers at the Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing vibrant chrysanthemums and daffodils in terracotta pots for plant enthusiasts.
Bright spring daffodils and narcissus in terracotta pots at an Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing vibrant, hardy alpine flowers perfect for rock gardens and naturalistic plant displays.
Bright yellow, purple, and green flowering plants in terracotta pots on display at an Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing hardy plants ideal for rocky and alpine gardens.
Vibrant potted chrysanthemums and seasonal flowers displayed at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing a variety of hardy plants perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Alpine plants in terracotta pots at a garden show, showcasing vibrant flowers and hardy species ideal for alpine gardening.

Six Pans of Rock Plants grown from Seed

Three of the four six-pan classes had no entries, a sign perhaps of missing exhibitors.  In the fourth of these, for six pans of rock plants grown from seed, Bob and Rannveig Wallis were awarded First.

Narcissus asturicense and Hyacinthoides hispanica in terracotta pots at Alpine Garden Society plant exhibition.
Narcissus astreianthus and other alpines in terracotta pots at Alpine Garden Society plant show showcasing spring blooms and alpine gardening expertise.

Crocus

As always Crocus come first.  Brenda Nickels exhibited this fine pan of white flowers as Crocus (White).

White crocus flowers in a terracotta pot, alpine gardening, early spring bloom, garden society, floral display with vibrant orange and yellow stamens, indoor alpine plant arrangement, horticulture, plant cultivation, flower gardening, botanical expertise, flower enthusiasts, seasonal garden showcase, decorative garden planting, AGS Alpine Garden Society, gardening tips.
White crocus flower with orange stamens, close-up, alpine garden society, blooming crocuses, early spring flowers, garden plants, nature photography.

Crocus vernus albiflorus

John Dixon produced a small pan of the white form of this subspecies, to complement the lilac form he showed two weeks ago at Pershore.  NB. aphids John !

White crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot with rocky soil, perfect for alpine gardening and rock gardens, showcasing the beauty of alpine plant cultivation.
White crocus flowers with purple streaks and bright yellow stamens in a terracotta pot, early spring bloom, alpine gardening, native to mountainous regions, UK alpine garden society, spring flower display, delicate and early flowering plants, garden embellishment.

Crocus biflorus subsp pulchricolor

My favourite Crocus on Saturday was this pan exhibited by Eric Jarrett.  I have photographed it several times over the years.

Purple crocus flowers in terracotta pot for alpine garden display, vibrant purple and white petals with yellow stamens, perfect for mountain flora enthusiasts, combined with natural gravel mulch, showcasing alpine gardening beauty and plant diversity, ideal for national Alpine Garden Society features or plant collections.
Purple crocus flowers blooming in a garden bed with rocks, showcasing early spring alpine planting and garden beauty.

Tulipa regelii

In the class for plants which are new or rare in cultivation, Bob and Rannveig Wallis showed this legendary tulip with its curious ridged leaves.  I have only photographed it once before, when shown by Joy Bishop.  I hoped that the flowers would open further in the course of the day, but if anything they closed up.

Flowering plant in terracotta pot with green leaves and white buds, suitable for alpine gardens and stone garden displays, promoting alpine plant cultivation and garden aesthetics.
Himalayan lily plant in a terracotta pot with large green striped leaves and buds, showcasing alpine flowering plants for gardens and collectors.
Unique alpine flower with white petals and green markings in a terracotta pot, surrounded by large, lush green leaves. Perfect for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Tulipa humilis albocaerulea oculata

By contrast, when I revisited this tulip from Anne Vale later in the day, the flowers were much further open, so I took it back for a second photograph.

Tulip flowers in a terracotta pot, displaying elegant white petals with striking blue and black centres, surrounded by lush green leaves, perfect for garden enthusiasts and bulb collectors.
White tulips with blue tips in a terracotta pot, blooming among green leaves, ideal for alpine gardening and RHS plant collections.
White and blue tulip flowers in a garden setting, typical of Alpine Garden Society displays, showcasing vibrant blooms and lush green foliage.

Gagea peduncularis

I photographed this Gagea from Bob and Rannveig Wallis last week at Theydon Bois, but it looked even better at Loughborough.

Yellow alpine flowers in a garden pot, vibrant plant with grass-like foliage, perfect for rock gardens and alpine plant collections.
Yellow alpine flowers with green foliage, showcasing vibrant blooms ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant collections.

Gagea fibrosa

However, Bob Worsley’s lovely Gagea fibrosa only deployed its full glory late in the morning, after the judges had passed it by.

Yellow alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, part of alpine gardening displays, showcasing vibrant blooms and lush foliage, ideal for rock gardens and mountainous plant collections.
Yellow flowering alpine plant with slender green leaves, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant collections. Perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and gardeners interested in succulent and drought-tolerant plants.

Corydalis solida ‘Lentune Gemini’

In the class for plants which are new or rare in cultivation, Don Peace exhibited this Corydalis solida seedling.  It has one curious feature; the individual flowers have two spurs rather than one (see the centre of the last image).  This led to speculation that the parent had been pollinated by a Dicentra, and we were looking at an intergeneric hybrid.

Pink alpine plant with lush green foliage in a terracotta pot, showcasing the beauty of garden alpines and suitable for rock gardens or containers, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts.
Pink mountain everlasting flowers for alpine garden display, showcasing vibrant pink blossoms and lush green foliage, perfect for rock gardens and cold climate plantings.
Pink Hardenbergia flower, a native Australian climbing plant, cultivated for its vibrant pink blooms and ornamental value, perfect for gardens and landscaping in the UK.
Pink flowering plant, alpine garden society, blooming flowers, garden plants, horticulture, pink blossoms, garden photography, nature, botanical, flowering shrub.

Corydalis popovii

Peter Farkasch brought some nice specimens of this striking Corydalis, with flowers of deep, deep purple and white.

Vancouverensis Hutton's Midget Honeysuckle, a plant cultivated by the Alpine Garden Society, showcasing unique horticultural varieties for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Vivid close-up of exotic flowering plants with white and dark purple blooms, showcasing unique alpine garden flora with vibrant green leaves, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Corydalis sewerzowii

Among the largest pans lurked this fabulous deep yellow species, grown by Peter Hood, which received a Certificate of Merit.

Bright yellow alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant blooms and lush green foliage, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and plant collectors.
Vivid yellow tropical ginger flowers with green leaves, showcasing exotic plant species in a lush garden setting.
Azure crocosmia flowers blooming in alpine garden settings, showcasing vibrant yellow and orange petals, ideal for rock gardens and high-altitude landscape designs. Perfect for enthusiasts of alpine and succulent gardening.

Anemone heldreichii

Bob and Rannveig Wallis showed an attractive lilac-pink form of Anemone heldreichii.  Lovely flowers, but many more leaves, which made it a challenge to photograph.

Pink and purple anemone flowers blooming among lush green foliage in a garden setting, showcasing alpine plants suitable for rock gardens and outdoor displays.
Beautiful alpine flowers featuring delicate pink petals and vibrant blue centres, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and plant collectors seeking hardy, native plants.

Callianthemum anemonoides

The Callianthmemum exhibited by Don Peace which I photographed last week was still in great condition, and in a larger pot than I remembered.  This won the Webster Trophy for the best plant native to Europe.

Beautiful alpine daisy flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant white petals with yellow-green centres, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and plant collectors.
Alpine Garden Society inspired flower display featuring delicate white blossoms with yellow-green centres, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries. Perfect for enthusiasts of alpine plants and garden design.

Cyclamen pseudibericum forma roseum

Despite the absence of Ian Robertson, there were still plenty of Cyclamen on the benches, but only one attracted my attention.  Denise Bridges showed this beautiful form of Cyclamen pseudibericum forma roseum; I loved the marbled leaves.

Vivid pink cyclamen flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine garden plant variety with variegated green leaves, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Dionysia hybrid ‘Evie Jane Nicholls’

Now let us turn our attention to Dionysia.  We have already seen some of the multi-pan entries.  I photographed this hybrid between D. aretioides and D. teucrioides for the first time at the Loughborough show in 2020.  Grower David Charlton has two plants of a similar size; sadly neither was fully out, but I suspect both may be travelling to Kendal this coming weekend.  The original plant was raised from seed by Pat Nicholls, and has been named for one of his grand-daughters.

Yellow flowering alpine plant in a terracotta pot, suitable for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing vibrant colour and hardy perennial characteristics.

Dionysia tapetodes JRD 95/1/1

John Dixon’s heavy, seed-raised D. tapetodes, which won the Farrer medal last weekend, was still in good condition, and just as heavy.  Here it was runner-up, and won a Certificate of Merit.

Dense yellow flowering plant in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries. A vibrant, low-growing plant perfect for garden enthusiasts and stone garden displays.
Vibrant yellow Primula flowers in a densely packed garden bed, showcasing alpine plant varieties suitable for alpine gardens and rockeries.

Dionysia tapetodes ‘Kate’

John also entered another seed-raised D. tapetodes, now distributed under the clonal name ‘Kate’.  This was an equally impressive plant, but was just showing a few small gaps.  Maybe they will fill in before next week.

Yellow flowering alpine plant in a terracotta pot at Alpine Garden Society nursery, surrounded by purple and pink flowers, ideal for rock gardens and alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Bright yellow flowering Sedum in a terracotta pot, part of Alpine gardening displays, showcasing the beauty of hardy succulents suitable for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Dionysia bryoides

A couple of weeks ago, I showed two plants of the same clone of D. afghanica, to show the variation which can develop with culture.  Here are two plants of D. bryoides, the first exhibited by Derek Pickard, and the second winning a Certificate of Merit for Eric Jarrett.

Purple flowering plant in rocky garden bed, highlighting alpine garden plants and outdoor garden design.
Purple alpine flower plant in terracotta pot with small gravel, close-up shot.
Vivid purple Primula auricula flowers, thriving in alpine garden conditions, showcasing vibrant colours and delicate petals.

Dionysia ‘Eric Watson’

Hybrids between Dionysia bryoides and the yellow species (in this case D. tapetodes), can produce some unusual ‘prune and custard’ results which are not to everyone’s taste.  This one is an old cultivar, named after Eric Watson.  I am glad I photographed Anne Vale’s plant – it turns out I have never photographed it before.  I wonder why ?

Purple and yellow flowering plant in a terracotta pot, alpine garden society member plants, hardy outdoor flowers for rock gardens, colourful alpine flora for UK gardens, native and exotic alpine plants, gardening enthusiasts, stone garden plants, specialist plant society collections, vibrant hardy flora for containers and borders.
Vivid purple and yellow primula flowers in full bloom, ideal for alpine garden displays and rock gardens. Perfect for enthusiasts of alpine gardening and garden design.

Dionysia ‘Ewesley Iota’

This is another old and rare hybrid, exhibited by Paul and Gill Ranson.  It must be one of those which is difficult to grow to any size; I don’t think I have ever seen it any bigger than this.

Yellow primula flowers in a terracotta pot surrounded by small pebbles, ideal for alpine garden displays and plant enthusiasts.

Dionysia hybrid MK99310/27

Eric Jarrett showed another old hybrid with a Michael Kammerlander seed number, in this case an f2 hybrid from Dionysia ‘Emmely’.

Yellow primula flowering plant in a terracotta pot for alpine garden displays.

Dionysia sarvestanica subsp spathulata

Eric also showed a good plant of this yellow species.  I wonder about the origin of this plant, but I didn’t get a chance to ask.  It didn’t look quite like other specimens I have photographed of the normal T4Z1044 clone; if it wasn’t that but a seedling, then could it be a hybrid ?  The flowers seemed larger and more overlapping than I remember.

Yellow flowering alpine plant in terracotta pot, suitable for rock gardens and container planting, part of Alpine Garden Society collections, perfect for enthusiasts of mountain plants and horticulture.

Dionysia lamingtonii ENF-MK1823/1

Paul and Gill Ranson showed a fine plant of Dionysia lamingtonii.  I suspect this is a sister cutting to the plant shown by Nigel Fuller last week, both propagated from the original seedling Nigel raised in 2018 from seed from Michael Kammerlander.

Yellow flowering alpine plant in a terracotta pot, ideal for rock gardens and alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Dionysia hybrid MK0357/11

I photographed two plants of this hybrid between D. iranshahrii and D. bryoides.  Anne Vale exhibited the larger, but looser specimen; the small tight one came from Paul and Gill.

Purple Alpine Cresset Primula in a black pot, showcasing vibrant colour and compact growth suitable for alpine gardens and rockeries. Perfect for enthusiasts of mountain plants and garden design.
Pink Ramonda in a terracotta pot with pebbles, a beautiful alpine plant known for its vibrant colour and hardy nature, perfect for rock gardens and container cultivation.

Dionysia hybrid PMR-DZ18R2395/2

I also enjoyed this hybrid seedling Paul and Gill exhibited, grown from seed from D. zschummelii.

Purple Primula auricula flowers in a terracotta pot surrounded by small decorative stones, highlighting alpine garden planting ideas and best practices for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Dionysia zschummelii T4Z166/Go2

This plant of that species, Dionysia zschummelii, was even better and won the Richard Regan Trophy (for the best plant in a 19cm pot) for Paul and Gill.

Alpine primula flowers in terracotta pot with pebbles, showcasing alpine gardening plants.
Vivid purple primula flowers in a terracotta pot, part of the Alpine Garden Society collection, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Primula allionii ‘Eveline Burrow’

There weren’t many Primula allionii or hybrids on the bench.  It seems to be a late and difficult season, and many of the exhibitors who specialise in them were absent.  One which caught the eye was Eveline Burrow, raised by Brian Burrow.  It was exhibited here by Heather Barraclough in the Intermediate section (left), and Don Peace in the Open section (right).

Violet primula in terracotta pot, adorned with vibrant purple flowers, perfect for alpine gardening and garden displays.
Vibrant purple primula flowers in a terracotta pot, cultivated for alpine gardening and perfect for rock gardens or container displays.
Vivid purple primula flowers in a garden pot, perfect for alpine and rock garden collections, showcasing vibrant colours for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Violet primula flowers cluster, vibrant and colourful, perfect for alpine gardens and RHS garden designs, showcasing hardy and beautiful alpine plants.

Primula ‘Lepus’

Don Peace’s fine specimen of Primula ‘Lepus’ which I featured last week, caught the attention of the judges as well this week, and received a Certificate of Merit.

Primula in terracotta pot with vibrant purple flowers and white centers, suited for alpine gardening and rock gardens.
Vivid purple primroses in a terracotta pot, showcasing the beauty of alpine garden plants suitable for rockery and container gardening, perfect for garden enthusiasts and alpine plant collectors.

Saxifraga andersonii

Mark Childerhouse showed this little saxifrage species from Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan.  Although the AGS Encyclopaedia says it is “well established in cultivation where it has not proved too difficult”, I suspect that is not particularly accurate, as these are the first pictures I have ever taken of it.

Alpine flowering plant in terracotta pot with small white blossoms and green foliage, surrounded by colourful gravel, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Saxifraga ‘Allendale Ghost’

The Farrer medal went to this huge saxifrage grown by Mark Childerhouse.  Despite the difficult season it was covered in flowers.  I worried about carrying it, but in the end it turned out not to be quite as heavy as John Dixon’s big Dionysia.

White alpine flowers cascading from terracotta pot at Alpine Garden Society, showcasing beautiful mountain plants in a garden setting, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts and plant lovers.
White flowering plant in a terracotta bowl, Alpine Garden Society member gardening plants, delicate white blooms, mountain gardening, unique alpine flowers, horticulture enthusiasts, plant collection, garden planning, floral display, nature lovers, gardening hobbies, conservation of rare plants.
White alpine flowers, delicate blooms with yellow centers, perfect for garden rockeries and alpine plant collections.

Hepatica japonica ‘Isari-Bi’

A new exhibitor, Christine Jarvis, exhibited this fine magenta Hepatica japonica cultivar.  Christine went on to win the Beacon Trophy for the Novice section aggregate.

Pink Albiflora Primula in terracotta pot, thriving in alpine garden setting, perfect for rock gardens and container planting, ideal for alpine plant enthusiasts and garden collectors.
Bright pink alpine flowers with yellow centres in a garden setting, representing the beauty of alpine gardening and plant diversity.

A very similar plant appeared in the Open Section under the species name but with no cultivar identity.  I wonder whether this was just coincidence, or whether the two are one and the same.  Bright magenta forms are certainly common enough.

But there seems to be a feeling among some exhibitors that attaching a cultivar name indicating a Japanese origin may alienate the judges.  I guess the thinking is that the Japanese have spent a huge amount of time and effort breeding and selecting Hepatica cultivars, and the judges are averse to ‘over-selected’ forms of plants.  For me, this is something the judges should determine by examining the plant, not the name; I couldn’t see anything that seemed ‘over-selected’ about this.

Violet cineraria flowering plant in terracotta pot, vibrant purple blooms, ornamental hardy plant for rock gardens, ideal for alpine gardening, low maintenance, perfect for border displays.

Three pans of Hepatica

Bob Worsley also entered a fine three pan exhibit of Hepatica, I think in the class requiring cultural notes.  These are:

  • Hepatica pyrenaica x insularis (pink, at the front)
  • Hepatica japonica (a deep indigo blue form)
  • Hepatica transsilvanica ‘Connie Greenfield’ (anemone-centred, at the back). This last plant seemed very similar, or perhaps identical to Hepatica Ellison Spence.  I have found comments on the internet suggesting both.

I am afraid I didn’t photograph the notes.

Purple primulas flowering in terracotta pots at alpine garden society show.
Purple African violets blooming in a terracotta pot, featuring lush green foliage and vibrant purple flowers, ideal for alpine gardening and flower cultivation enthusiasts.
Pink alpine flowers in a terracotta pot blooming with moss, showcasing vibrant springtime horticulture at the Alpine Garden Society. Perfect for gardening enthusiasts focusing on alpine plants.
Purple blue Hepatica flowers with yellow and white centres, growing in a garden setting.
Purple alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, lush green moss, botanical gardening, alpine plant cultivation, garden society, native plants, floral display, gardening hobby, nature enthusiasts, plant care, horticulture enthusiasts, flower arrangement, outdoor gardening, cultivated garden plants, preservation of native flora.

Iberis pruitii Candolleana Group

This Iberis belonged to Peter Hood.  It was refreshing to see something a bit different on the show bench.

White alpine flowering plant in terracotta pot, gardening, hardy plants, miniature garden, snow-capped floral display, alpine garden society, plant care, rock garden, low-maintenance plant, container gardening, succulent-looking, cold-tolerant plant, flower bed, outdoor gardening, potted plants, garden inspiration, floral arrangement, botanical garden, nature, horticulture.

Flower arrangement

Once again, the winning flower arrangement came from Anne Vale, and featured those yellow, ‘Rosebud’ primula flowers.

A vibrant bouquet of spring flowers including grape hyacinths, cyclamens, and snowdrops in a ceramic vase, showcasing the diverse plant collection of the Alpine Garden Society.
Vibrant blue muscari, delicate white and purple hyacinths, and pink and purple flowers in a floral arrangement, showcasing alpine plants suitable for garden displays and plant societies.

Jovibarba heuffelii ‘Henry Correvon’

As always, there were some hefty pans of Sempervivum and Jovibarba.  At a spring show, I don’t always get time to photograph them, but this one exhibited by Martin Rogerson took the fancy of the show reporter.

Green succulent plants in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardening, drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, perfect for rock gardens and Hardy plant collections.
Vibrant green succulent plants with fleshy, pointed leaves forming rosette shapes, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries. Perfect for garden enthusiasts interested in hardy, drought-tolerant plants.

Oroya peruviana

Colin Sykes exhibited this much admired, cold-hardy cactus from high up in the Andes in Peru.

Cactus in terracotta pot with yellow spines, indoor gardening, succulent plants, alpine garden collection, drought-tolerant plant care, botanical enthusiasts, desert flora, alpine garden society display, ornamental succulent, dry climate gardening.
Dwarf cactus with yellow spines close-up, showcasing intricate spine patterns and vibrant green body, suitable for succulent enthusiasts and alpine garden displays.

Maihueniopsis subterranea subsp pulcherrima

This compact mound of green bodies with straw-coloured spines is another high elevation cactus from the Andes, and won a Certificate of Merit for exhibitor Chris Bowyer.

Cactus in a terracotta pot with gravel, suitable for alpine gardening and succulent enthusiasts.
Dense close-up of a succulent cactus with spiny white thorns, highlighting its intricate structure and vibrant green color, ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Mediterranean terrestrial orchids

Show secretary, Neil Hubbard produced a fine three-pan exhibit of Mediterranean terrestrial orchids. These are:

  • The tiny but lovely Neotinea lactea. I think this close-up is probably my favourite image of the day
  • Anacamptis morio subsp. longicornu
  • The beautiful furry lips of Ophrys fusca.

I was delighted to find that this meant he has won his Gold Medal.  Congratulations!  If I am lucky, I might be able to emulate him later in the year.

Calanthe orchid in a terracotta pot, showcasing its intricate pink spotted flowers and lush green leaves, cultivated by the Alpine Garden Society for horticultural enthusiasts.
Orchidaceae mountain wildflower with pink and white spotted petals, native to alpine regions, perfect for alpine garden displays and rock gardens.
Red, purple and white orchid growing in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine horticulture and flowering plant cultivation.
Delphinium flower, part of the Alpine Garden Society plant collection, showcasing rare and exotic alpine plants with vibrant colours. Perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors.
Uniquely labelled orchid flower in a terracotta pot with pebbles on a grey background.
Delphinium seedling with emerging flowers, showcasing early stages of alpine plant growth in a controlled environment.
Tiny alpine orchid flowers with intricate details on a green stem, showcasing rare alpine plant species for gardening and conservation enthusiasts.
Wild orchids, native to alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing unique flower structures and vibrant colours, ideal for outdoor or conservatory cultivation.

Colchicum capense subsp. ciliolatum

Another of Neil Hubbard’s plants also attracted a lot of attention.  This time it was a South African bulb, from the genus Androcymbium, which has now been subsumed within Colchicum, though there is relatively little visual similarity.

Poisonous lily of the valley flower in terracotta pot with decorative gravel, showcasing lush green leaves and creamy white blooms, ideal for Alpine gardening and plant collection.
Unique white lily-flower with green foliage, ideal for garden enthusiasts.

Chionodoxa cretica

Bob and Rannveig Wallis exhibited one of my favourite spring bulbs, the lovely Chionodoxa cretica, which is apparently now a Scilla.

Bulbous primulas with white and purple flowers in a terracotta pot for alpine garden display.
White and pale purple flowers of the Alpine Garden Society for rock gardening and alpine plant enthusiasts.

x Chionoscilla allenii ‘Fra Angelico’

Since the botanists now include all of Chionodoxa within Scilla, this familiar plant exhibited by Don Peace is no longer an intergeneric hybrid, but simply an interspecific one, Scilla x allenii ‘Fra Angelico’.

Vivid blue Hyacinth flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant colours and plant health, ideal for alpine gardening and garden enthusiasts.

Tecophilaea cyanocrocus var violacea

This plant, popularly described as the Chilean blue crocus, is a stunning colour; it is always a big hit with visitors to the spring shows.  However, it is now rare and endangered in the wild, so it is reassuring that it can be grown well in cultivation.  Bob and Rannveig Wallis exhibited this pan of the violet tinted form.

Vivid purple Iris flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant blooms and lush green foliage, perfect for alpine gardens and container planting.

Fritillaria wendelboi

I photographed several of the Fritillaria at the show the previous week at Theydon Bois, but there were a few new ones to pick out.  This little species came from the Intermediate section, where David Carver exhibited it.  It helped him towards the Outwoods Trophy for the Intermediate section aggregate.

Green and purple fritillaria flower in terracotta pot, Himalayan garden, alpine garden society plant, spring flowering plant, botanical horticulture, potted plant for rock garden, alpine flora, cultivated plant, botanical illustration, garden enthusiast plant, outdoor gardening, plant conservation, flower gardening, botanical research, alpine plant collection.
Bright yellow and green alpine snowdrop flower with dark markings on petals, surrounded by lush green foliage, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Fritillaria baisunensis/baysunensis

Bob and Rannveig Wallis exhibited this little plant under the name recently coined and published by Janis Ruksans (International Rock Gardener 114 June 2019) for plants which he collected in Pulkhakim in Uzbekistan.  These bear a strong resemblance to Fritillaria bucharica, and have been exhibited for some years under the name Fritillaria bucharica Pulkhakim.

White alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, with green foliage, suited for alpine gardening and plant enthusiasts.
White alpine flower with green foliage, endemic mountain plant, alpine garden society, rare wildflower, suitable for rock gardens and high-altitude landscapes, botanical illustration, native to mountainous regions.

Fritillaria aff. bucharica Pulkhakim

Indeed, David Carriage exhibited a taller, but otherwise similar plant under the name Fritillaria Pulkhakim.  Pulkhakim is not a clonal name – it is the area in which these plants were discovered.

Rare alpine orchid plant blooming in a black pot, showcasing delicate white and green flowers with slender leaves, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and collectors.
Wildflower species with elegant white blossoms, perfect for alpine gardens and rockery landscapes. A stunning addition to any plant collection focused on mountain flora and hardy flowering plants.

Fritillaria ‘Lentune Fox’

I photographed this hybrid raised by Don Peace at Theydon Bois, but it looked even better here. It is F. pinardii crossed with a previous hybrid between F. aurea and F. pinardii.

Alpine Garden Society yellow and orange fritillary flowers in a pot, showcasing seasonal alpine plants for rock gardens and borders.
Fritillaria meleagris flowers, a popular perennial for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing vibrant yellow and orange blooms with green foliage, ideal for garden enthusiasts.

Fritillaria ‘Lentune Eyecatcher’

Another of Don’s hybrids was even more eye-catching.  This one is the reverse cross, with the previous hybrid as seed parent.

Unusual orchid with striped petals in flower pot, exemplifying alpine gardening and rare plant cultivation from the Alpine Garden Society.
Yellow and brown tulip flower amidst green leaves, close-up of alpine garden plant showcasing vibrant bloom and lush foliage.
Orchid flower with yellow and maroon petals, part of Alpine Garden Society plant collection, showcasing vibrant displays of alpine flora.

Narcissus bulbocodium conspicuus

Daffodils were much in evidence.  Ian Sutton exhibited this pan in the Intermediate section.

Bright yellow alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing the beauty of the Alpine Garden Society's collection of hardy plants for mountain gardens.

Narcissus cordubensis

Still in the Intermediate section, this fine pan came from Heather Barraclough.

Yellow flowering Primula plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant blooms and lush green foliage, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts.
Vivid yellow daffodils in full bloom, showcasing vibrant colour and delicate petals, ideal for alpine garden cultivation and garden design.

Narcissus fernandesii

Many of the daffodils came from David Carver, who specialises in them.  This was a lovely little group of jonquills.

Bright yellow primrose flowers blooming from a pot with long, slender green leaves against a neutral background, showcasing alpine garden plant varieties.
Bright yellow daffodil-like flowers blooming on slender green stems, part of the Alpine Garden Society’s collection of hardy alpine plants for rock gardens and alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Narcissus ‘Gypsy Vale’

David also exhibited a fine new cultivar I have not seen before.  Raised by Brian Duncan, it is a hybrid between N. obvallaris and Narcissus ‘Gipsy Queen’, but the flowers are larger than the latter, with a more open trumpet.

Primrose daffodil flowers in terracotta pot, alpine gardening showcase, vibrant yellow spring bloom, cultivated for alpine garden enthusiasts, seasonal flowering plant for rock gardens and containers.
Yellow daffodil flower blooming in a garden setting, showcasing delicate petals and vibrant colour. Ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and collectors of spring bulbs.

Narcissus ‘Giselle’

Again from David Carver, this clump of Anne Wright’s Narcissus ‘Giselle’ in a tiny pot won a Certificate of Merit.  What a lovely little thing !

White alpine flowers, delicate bloom details, beautiful garden plants, alpine garden society, spring flowering bulb, horticulture, botanical garden decor, gardening enthusiasts, native mountain flora, botanical diversity.

Narcissus asturiensis var lagoi

However, the Narcissus Salver went to Bob and Rannveig Wallis for this pan of daffodils from their Open section exhibit of six pans raised from seed.

With the win in this six pan class, Bob and Rannveig claimed the Charnwood Forest Trophy for the Open section aggregate at the show, and just squeezed in front of Paul and Gill Ranson in the annual Open Section Aggregate.

Yellow daffodil flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing the beauty of spring bulbs for garden enthusiasts. Perfect for alpine and spring garden displays.
Bright yellow daffodils with ruffled petals and long green leaves, perfect for alpine gardens and garden shows, symbolising spring and renewal.

Trillium nivale

My last plant is this familiar Trillium from Eric Jarrett.  Several flowers were not fully open, and there were buds to come, but the judges decided it had done enough to receive the American Trophy (best plant from the Americas) and the Royal Bank of Scotland Award (best pan of bulbs in the show).

White flowering alpine plant in terracotta pot, alpine garden society, hardy garden flower, rockery plant, Mediterranean flora, seasonal bloom, garden inspiration, easy-care alpine plant, ornamental gardening, container gardening.
White flowering plant, delicate blossom with yellow stamens, surrounded by lush green leaves, belonging to the Alpine Garden Society, ideal for rock gardens and alpine collections.
White alpine flower with green foliage, hardy garden plant, perfect for rock gardens, grows in cold climates, flowering plant for alpine gardens, high-altitude flora, adaptive perennial plant, garden enthusiasts, landscape design, low maintenance flower plant.

This is always a great show, delivered by a dedicated and hard-working band of volunteers, ably marshalled by show secretaries Neil Hubbard and Martin Rogerson.

But of course they couldn’t do it without the efforts of the judges, and above all the exhibitors, who braved dubious weather to bring all these fabulous plants.  Once again, I didn’t stop taking pictures until the award ceremony was under way.

Read previous entries at The Photographers Diary

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