AGS South West Show 2025

Helen and I travelled down to the West Country on the Thursday before the show.  It was a beautiful sunny day, and the banks were full of flowers; cherry plum in the hedgerows, and beneath it creamy swathes of primroses, patches of white wood anemones, carpets of golden stars from celandines, and wild daffodils around the edges of Dartmoor.

Wildside Garden

On the Friday, we visited Wildside garden (https://wileyatwildside.com/), near Yelverton.  This was the earliest in the year we have ever visited, and it was interesting to see the bones of the garden, without the deep layers of upholstery which plants bring later in the year.  In March, the lower garden is full of magnolias, supported by camellias and Corylopsis.

Beneath them, massed hellebores, and Primula vulgaris in a variety of shades, white and cream, lavender, mid-yellow, red, blue and purple.  Hidden in corners, there were treasures to be found – Shortia uniflora, and the buds of Cypripedium formosanum.

A leisurely trip across the peninsula late in the afternoon (it had to be leisurely, we were following a very slow lorry uphill on winding roads) meant that we were poised in Barnstaple to visit the show the following morning.

Arriving in the Show Hall

When we arrived in the show hall it was immediately obvious that I was going to have a busy and tiring day.  Not only were there lots of plants, but there were at least a dozen in what appeared to be very large, heavy pots.

With the cancellation of the Kendal show, John Dixon had come down from East Leake (Loughborough), and Mark Childerhouse even further, from Brigg (near Scunthorpe), bringing plants they thought were worthy of an outing at a show this year.

Display of Alpine Plants

At one end of the show hall were a good selection of nurseries, at the other was a display of alpine plants by the RHS Rosemoor alpine team, which was later judged and received a Silver Award.

Anemone pavonina

One of the most striking plants in the Rosemoor display was this fine purple form of Anemone pavonina, which I have photographed for at least three years now.

Open Section

Everywhere there seemed to be large pans of bulbs – right opposite my photography table were entries from Bob and Rannveig Wallis in the class for three large pans of bulbous plants, and three large pans of Narcissus.  Further down the bench, huge pans lurked, containing ancient Dionysias, and Kabschia saxifrages, and gallons of grit.

Six large pans of Rock Plants

Ian Robertson staged an entry for the large six pan class, consisting of three Cyclamen and three Pleione.  There were some fine plants in the entry, but overall the judges decided it didn’t meet the standard required for an AGS Medal.

Cyclamen persicum forma puniceum

From Ian Robertson’s six pan exhibit – a lovely specimen.

Pleione formosana ‘Avalanche’

Also from Ian’s large six pan entry.

Calanthe discolor x tricarinata

I thought the Pleione might be a contender for the Graham Lovell Salver for the best pan of Orchidaceae, but in the end that went to this lovely Calanthe, also exhibited by Ian Robertson.

Cut Flowers

There were two entries in the class for six varieties of cut flowers, from David Carver (left), who won, and Pauline Carless (right).

Flower Arrangements

And here are the entries for a miniature flower arrangement, won by Dot Sample (back left).  Pam Weston, with the white jug full of daffodils was second.

Six small pans of Rock Plants

The AGS Medal for six small pans of rock plants was won by Bob and Rannveig Wallis.  The two tulips, though lovely, didn’t open all day.

Here are a few plants from Bob and Rannveig’s six pan exhibit:

• Cyclamen repandum
• Erythronium multiscapoideum cliftonii
• Narcissus bulbocodium RRW8837

Veitch Trophy

The Veitch Trophy is awarded to the winner of the class for three small pans of bulbous plants.  This year there were three entries, from (left to right) Bob and Rannveig Wallis, David Carver and Ian Robertson.

The three plants from Bob and Rannveig’s winning entry were:

• Narcissus bulbocodium RRW8832
• Erythronium helenae
• Tulipa dubia

Three small pans of Miniature Narcissus

Bob and Rannveig Wallis (first photo) also pipped David Carver in the class for three small pans of miniature daffodil.

Three small pans of Rock Plants from distinct genera

There were four entries in the class for three small pans of rock plants from distinct genera, won by Mark Childerhouse (left) with:

• Primula ‘Broadwell Milkmaid’,
• Saxifraga ‘Coolock Kate’ and
• Dionysia bryoides.

Three small pans of Rock Plants from a single genus

In the corresponding class for three small pans of rock plants from a single genus there were six entries; Paul and Gill Ranson won with three small Dionysia (third from left).

Soon, the judges were trying to choose the best plant in a 19cm pot, whittling down the options until they had just two, then a straight vote between the Viola and the pink saxifrage.

The vote for the Farrer was easier – though all three were very heavy.  The white saxifrage was eliminated first, leaving a choice between the Tecophilaea and the Dionysia.

Sarcochilus aff hoffmannii

While the judges were finishing up, I took the chance to photograph one of my own plants, which I knew wouldn’t be of interest to them. This is an Australian orchid, which grows on rocky cliffs and boulders at altitudes up to and above 1000m in the mountains of south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales, which are also home to Dendrobium kingianum, which used to be exhibited regularly.

It is grown in a bark mixture on an north-east-facing windowsill where it receives plenty of light but not direct sunlight,  in an unheated bedroom, and flowers in mid-March each year.  A cool winter rest is important, particularly cool nights, but probably needs to be kept just frost-free.  It is watered regularly with rainwater in the growing season.  Orchid fertilizer is applied every other watering in summer.  Watering is reduced to occasional in the winter.  The judges felt that it wasn’t “suitable” for an AGS show, but it is very pretty.

Calochortus albus x monophyllus

The winner of this class for plants rare in cultivation was this lovely natural hybrid Calochortus, exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis – I have included the notes for those who are interested.

Trillium rivale ‘Cyril Lafong’

In the class for plants new in cultivation, Diane Clement exhibited this very dark Trillium rivale cultivar.

Myosotis pulvinaris

Turning to the Novice Section, the Otter Trophy for the best plant in the section went to Alistair Hudson for this neat cushion of Myosotis pulvinaris.

Hepatica japonica var pubescens ‘Sophie Dupree’

Alistair also won the Novice section aggregate Dartington Trophy with a nice entry of three pots of Hepatica including this pretty cultivar in the class for three rock plants.

Crocus etruscus ‘Rosalind’

Helen Brown has moved up into the Intermediate section, where she had some attractive exhibits including this little pot of crocuses.

Sedum reflexum ‘Cristatum’

I was very pleased to see Helen giving away a cutting of this at the end of the show – it is good to know that generosity with plants has not been lost.

Narcissus wilkommii

Helen also exhibited a lovely pot of this tiny jonquil daffodil.

Saxifraga ‘Michelangelo’

One of the features of this show every year is the magnificent display of Kabschia saxifrages, exhibited by local exhibitor Duncan Bennett, who specialises in them.  Every year I photograph different cultivars – this is ‘Michelangelo’.

Intermediate section three pans of Rock Plants

Duncan entered three saxifrages in the class for three rock plants, but he was up against stiff competition in Jim Loring’s three superb pans of Tecophilaea cultivars.

Tecophilaea cyanocrocus

The normal gentian-blue form of Tecophilaea cyanocrocus went on to win the Cornwall Trophy for the best plant in the Intermediate section for Jim.

Intermediate section six pans of Rock Plants

However, the AGS Award for the six pan class in the Intermediate section, and with it the Dartmoor Trophy for the section aggregate, went to Andrew Ward for this fine grouping of plants.

Iris lutescens

One of the stars of Andrew’s six-pan exhibit was this lovely Iris.

Narcissus ‘Minionette’

Also in Andrew’s entry was this little hybrid daffodil, raised by Anne Wright.

Erythronium hendersonii

This Erythronium is always one which suffers in the heat of a show hall, so I took Diane Clement’s plant early on in the proceedings.

Tecophilaea cyanocrocus

Jim Loring had another, even larger pan of Tecophilaea in the Open section, which was runner-up for the Farrer medal, and received a Certificate of Merit.

Fritillaria aurea

John Dixon exhibited this with the label Fritillaria aurea x ? (ex-OS1143). He says he thought it might have been produced from open-pollinated seed at Gothenburg, (which gives an interesting and wide range of possibilities), but Bob and Rannveig now think it is straight F. aurea. Who would argue with them about fritillaries ?  As John puts it “they know their onions”, in an awkward mixed-metaphor sort of a way.  Personally, I like the elegance of these taller forms, whilst others prefer the short dumpy ones, with flowers touching the gravel, which are almost impossible to photograph effectively.

Three small pans of Fritillaria

The small-pan class for three Fritillaria was contested by David Carver and Bob and Rannveig Wallis, with the winners once again Bob and Rannveig on the right.

Fritillaria albidiflora

Included in David’s exhibit was this pot of Fritillaria albidiflora, initially thought to be a very pale form of F. yuminensis.  Bob Wallis says it is very rare and tricky to grow.  The Fritillaria group website (https://www.fritillaria.org.uk/) says that it is “Very similar to F yuminensis but the flowers are smaller and pure white.  It has a very prominent circular nectary.  From the very north western corner of China where it borders Kazakhstan and Russia.”

Fritillaria graeca

Bob and Rannveig’s entry included this charming, tiny, but brightly marked form of Fritillaria graeca.

Fritillaria kurdica yellow form

Bob and Rannveig also included an interesting yellow form of Fritillaria kurdica.

Narcissus jonquilla subsp cerrolazae

Turning now to daffodils, this pan was exhibited by Diane Clement.

Narcissus fernandesii

David Carver exhibited a beautiful, compact pot of Narcissus fernandesii.

Narcissus bulbocodium

Also from David Carver, a fine pan of Narcissus bulbocodium.

Narcissus ‘Buttertubs’ AW2374A

This little dumpy hybrid was raised by Anne Wright, and exhibited by David Carver.

Narcissus rupicola

Bob and Rannveig Wallis exhibited one of my favourite dwarf daffodils, the charming Narcissus rupicola.

Iris graeberiana x magnifica

Here are Bob and Rannveig’s plants from their entry in the class for three large pans of bulbous plants.  First a lovely blue hybrid between Iris graeberiana and Iris magnifica.

Narcissus obesus ‘Lee Martin’

The second plant from Bob and Rannveig’s entry was the famous clone of Narcissus obesus with which Lee Martin won multiple Farrer medals.

Narcissus triandrus hybrid

The final plant in the three-pan entry was this lovely unnamed Narcissus triandrus hybrid.

Narcissus ‘Cartledge’

Now, here are Bob and Rannveig’s plants from their entry in the class for three large pans of Narcissus. It will come as no surprise, with all these multi-pan entries, that they won the Exeter Trophy for the Open section aggregate.  This first Narcissus is a hybrid of their own raising, which they named ‘Cartledge’ at this show several years ago.

Narcissus bulbocodium x triandrus

Bob and Rannveig’s second large Narcissus was this unnamed hybrid between Narcissus bulbocodium and Narcissus triandrus.

Narcissus triandrus hybrid

The third member of Bob and Rannveig’s three-pan entry was another unnamed Narcissus triandrus hybrid.

Narcissus triandrus x fernandesii

However, the Narcissus from Bob and Rannveig that everyone wanted was this little hybrid, which was picked out by the judges and awarded a Certificate of Merit.

Shortia uniflora

Moving away from bulbs, John Dixon exhibited a small well-flowered plant of Shortia uniflora.  This is a plant you see in a range of shades of pink, but John’s plant was almost white.

Viola spathulata

This lovely pan of the difficult Viola spathulata, with masses of buds appearing through the leaves, very nearly brought Dot Sample the East Devon Trophy for the best plant in a 19cm pot, but she lost out to the deciding vote, and had to settle for a Certificate of Merit.

Acer japonicum palmatum ‘Little Princess’

When I first saw this, before judging, it was in a class it wasn’t eligible for.  I pointed this out to the exhibitor, Pauline Carless, and she cleverly tried it in the class for foliage effect.  Later in the day, I revisited it to find that it had won that class.

Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yokohama’

Another foliage plant which caught my eye was this Cryptomeria grown by Helen Brown.  The verdant green foliage made an interesting effect.

Oresitrophe rupifraga

Apart from the orchid, which I was expecting the judges to frown on, I took one plant, a chasmophyte from China, doubting it would appeal, as one half of the pot is determined not to flower, and produces leaves two weeks after the other.  As there wasn’t a geographical class for a plant from Asia or China, it had to go in the large pan class for one rock plant.  So I was delighted when it won me my first red sticker of the year.  The flowers are so beautiful.

Several people came up to me during the show to remark on it, some of them pleased to see it was still in cultivation.

Saxifraga ‘John Mullaney’

Duncan Bennett exhibited more Kabschia saxifrages in the Open section, including two whose names commemorate old friends and AGS exhibitors.  The first, which I think is a S. x. concinna cultivar, remembers a renowned saxifrage expert from Wakefield.

Saxifraga ‘Tony Hale’

Duncan’s next plant commemorates the late Tony Hall of the Bedfordshire group, who was a good friend of mine, and used to support the London show, when I used to run it, by bringing a carload of plants in to Vincent Square.

Saxifraga ‘Bohemian Paradise’

Duncan Bennett’s best plant was a large-flowered hybrid between  S. cinerea and S. columnaris, which won a tight vote for the best plant in a 19cm pot and the East Devon Trophy.

Saxifraga ‘Allendale Charm’

Some of the most intimidating plants on the show bench were a trio of vegetable sheep grazing in the class for three large pans of Saxifraga.  Mark Childerhouse, the exhibitor, was quick to warn me not to carry them.  But what can you do ?  One of the three, S. ‘Allendale Charm’ was considered for the Farrer Medal, and received a Certificate of Merit as a consolation prize.

Saxifraga ‘Allendale Ghost’

Having carried S. ‘Allendale Charm’, I was more circumspect about its neighbour, and photographed this in situ on the show bench.  Even Mark struggled with this pot.

Saxifraga ‘Coolock Kate’

Comfortably smaller and more manageable was Mark’s biggest plant of S. ‘Coolock Kate’ albeit still in the large pan classes.

Saxifraga georgei hybrid EW83

But my favourite plants from Mark Childerhouse were two from his entry for three small pans of rock plants from a single genus.  The third member of this entry was the Saxifraga species JJ368 which I photographed at Loughborough.  The first was a little Saxifraga georgei hybrid which wasn’t yet fully out, but which looked terrifically tight and slow-growing.

Saxifraga pulchra

The second plant I photographed from Mark’s three-pan entry, and perhaps my favourite plant of the day, was this little specimen of S. pulchra from China.  I have never photographed this before – never even seen it before – and I thought it was very beautiful.

Cyclamen kusnetzovii

The judges remarked upon this little specimen of Cyclamen coum, grown from seed by David Carver.  Apparently Cyclamen kusnetzovii has just been resurrected from synonymy with C. coum, and the lack of white noses on the flowers indicates that this is it.

Cyclamen pseudibericum

Ian Robertson exhibited a fine plant of Cyclamen pseudibericum.

Cyclamen rhodium subsp vividum

Also from Ian, a rather tatty specimen which nevertheless shows us the fabulous colour of this subspecies.

Cyclamen rhodium subsp peloponnesiacum

David Carver entered a very elegant specimen of Cyclamen rhodium subsp peloponnesiacum.

Primula x meridiana Miniera ‘Tina’

This selected cultivar of Primula x meridiana (P. allionii x marginata) from Dot Sample was fabulous.  I am sure my stepfather would have wanted a cutting.

Primula allionii NF 2011-1

John Dixon showed a fabulous Primula allionii seedling raised and selected by Nigel Fuller; I suspect this is Nigel’s plant, rehomed after his funeral last spring.

Primula ‘Joan Hughes’

John Dixon also showed an interesting pot of Primula ‘Joan Hughes’.  Normally this flowers very heavily, and the flowers are clustered together so tightly it is to its detriment.  Here the flowers had space to breathe and expand, and it looked all the better for it.

Three small pans of Primula

I was delighted to come upon Paul and Gill Ranson’s entry in the class for three small pans of Primula.  They had grouped together three small-growing white-flowered cultivars to great effect.  Again, David my stepfather would have approved.  These plants are:

• Primula allionii ‘Eureka’ (raised by Ron Wooster)
• Primula allionii ‘Roya Snow’ (wild-collected by Jules Fouarge)
• Primula ‘Coolock Snowball’ (raised by Jim Almond)

Dionysia bryoides

There were several plants of Dionysia bryoides on the show benches, in a variety of shades of purple.  We have already seen one, exhibited by Mark Childerhouse.  Here are:

• Dionysia bryoides DJP/B088 exhibited by John Dixon
• Dionysia bryoides JM-MK9707/138 exhibited by Paul and Gill Ranson.

Dionysia michauxii JCA2936

There are two little species of Dionysia which are so rare and difficult that I photograph them every time I see them, and still have few decent pictures of them: D. michauxii and D. lamingtonii.  This little Dionysia michauxii was exhibited by John Dixon.

Dionysia ‘Alcyone’

John also exhibited D. ‘Alcyone’, a hybrid between D. microphylla and D. involucrata which I always love because of the way the flowers stand off from the cushion, which it inherits from D. microphylla.

Dionysia hybrid CIA232-3 (TBG)

For its final appearance this year, five weeks after I first photographed it at the South Wales show, here is John’s wild-collected hybrid between D. esfandiarii and probably D. jamzadiae, now an even softer shade of lilac.

Dionysia ‘Inka Gold’

Mark Childerhouse exhibited this fabulous golden hybrid between D. odora and D. tapetodes.

Dionysia hybrid PMR-DZ1953/4

Paul and Gill Ranson also exhibited a D. odora hybrid, with a similar flower shape, but a little paler in colour.

Dionysia tapetodes ‘Brimstone’

Paul and Gill’s plant of D. tapetodes ‘Brimstone’ was still in good condition.

Three large pans of Primulaceae

But the entry which had made me quail when I walked into the hall was this group in the large pan class for three pans of Primulaceae, from John Dixon.  John says:

“I was really pleased to be able to show the combination of Dionysia tapetodes ‘Kate’ JRD92/2/4, (aged 25), along with D. tapetodes JRD95/1/1 (30 years from seed) and D. esfandiarii SLIZE 259 (GBG3), the youngster at 19 years old, at Rosemoor – 74 years of growing and weighing a combined 75 kg.  It’s not so much whether the plants can do it again, that’s in the lap of the gods, more a case of if I’ll be able to lift them when they do!”

I second that last comment !

Dionysia tapetodes ‘Kate’

In the end, I only photographed two of these monsters.  First the one John named Kate for his daughter, apparently, and by coincidence, grown from a cutting taken on her birthday in 2000, when he surely had better things to do.

Dionysia esfandiarii SLIZE259 (GBG3)

Finally then, probably not quite as heavy as S. ‘Allendale Charm’, but giving it a good run for its money, here is John’s plant of Dionysia esfandiarii which won the Farrer medal.  This is not a species which typically covers itself with flowers so you can’t see the leaves, and the specimen exhibited was huge and really well-flowered.  There were still buds to come, which would fill in some of the holes, and it promised to look even more spectacular the following weekend at Hexham.

This was a wonderful show – I was busy taking pictures till the bitter end.  I would like to offer my own thanks to everyone who contributed to it: RHS Rosemoor Curator Jon Webster and his wife Kana and all their team of helpers, many of whom I have known for twenty years or more, for I have been coming down to this show at various venues since the early 90s.  Also to the nurseries, the judges, the stewards and above all to the exhibitors.

The show has been held here since 2017, offering wonderful opportunities for exhibitors and visitors, if not the hardworking photographer, to explore this beautiful spring garden.  For all those years it has been a pleasure helping John and Kana and their team, and I thank them for their kindness and hospitality.

Sadly, this is going to be the last AGS show at Rosemoor.  We are hoping that someone new will take over running the show, but it will mean finding a new venue, which is never easy.