Harlow Carr Autumn Show 2022

Last weekend, I made the long journey up to Harrogate for the Harlow Carr Autumn Show, the last show of the season, held at the RHS Harlow Carr garden.  Because I am so busy during a show, we went up early, so we could spend Friday viewing the garden.  I ...(more below)
October 25, 2022
AGS Editor
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Last weekend, I made the long journey up to Harrogate for the Harlow Carr Autumn Show, the last show of the season, held at the RHS Harlow Carr garden.  Because I am so busy during a show, we went up early, so we could spend Friday viewing the garden.  I described that excursion in a previous entry – here I want to focus on the show itself.

Weather

When I arrived it was still raining.  Once I had carried my single crate of plants from the car into the marquee, we discussed where to do the photography.  Reluctantly, I decided that the windy weather and passing showers were not suitable for doing the show photography outside the marquee.  So I set my gear up on the table kindly provided in the sunniest corner of the tent.

Show views

Plants packed the two long benches.  There had been some issues with email entries going missing, and the show secretary was trying frantically to set up more tables to accommodate the unexpected arrivals.  However, by the time judging started, all seemed serene.  This was the emptiest I saw the tent all day – as soon as the show opened people thronged in.  Even late in the afternoon, I had to dodge around eager visitors to carry plants to and fro.

Assorted alpine and garden plants in terracotta pots displayed indoors at an Alpine Garden Society event.
Alpine Garden Society plant display with colourful cyclamen and rare Alpine plants at a gardening event.
Vibrant potted spring flowers including crocuses, primroses, and cyclamens displayed at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing a colourful variety of cultivated plants.
Vivid display of flowering cyclamen plants in various shades of pink and white at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing alpine gardening and plant cultivation.
Alpine garden society display with colourful potted cyclamen, crocuses, and snowdrops at a plant show in a bright indoor tent.
Bright yellow crocuses and vibrant pink flowering plants in the foreground of an indoor garden centre, with visitors browsing in the background, showcasing the beauty of alpine plants at an Alpine Garden Society event.
Alpine plants and flowers display at Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing a variety of colourful cyclamens, crocuses, and miniature conifers in terracotta pots for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Alpine garden plants displayed in terracotta pots at a gardening exhibition, showcasing vibrant spring blooms in a bright indoor setting.
Vivid display of alpine flowers including cyclamen, crocuses, and lilies at an Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing rare and early blooming plants for rock gardens and alpine enthusiasts.
Vibrant display of spring flowering bulbs in large terracotta pots at the Alpine Garden Society show, showcasing colourful crocuses, cyclamens, and primroses in a garden exhibition setting.
Alpine plants displayed in terracotta pots at an Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing diverse flowering species for rock gardens and alpine environments.
Vibrant pink cyclamen plants displayed in terracotta pots at the Alpine Garden Society plant show, showcasing diverse hardy garden favourites for alpine gardens.
Vibrant collection of Alpine plants and flowers displayed at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing hardy plants suitable for alpine and rock gardens.
Vibrant displays of cyclamen plants in terracotta pots at the Alpine Garden Society plant exhibition with visitors examining the collection.
Alpine garden plants displayed at Alpine Garden Society show with vibrant flowering potted plants for rock gardens and alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Vibrant display of Alpine plants and terracotta pots at an Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing diverse blooming varieties and lush moss arrangements for enthusiasts and gardeners.
Vibrant display of alpine crocuses and other hardy mountain plants at an Alpine Garden Society exhibition with visitors admiring the blooms.

Six small pans of Rock Plants

The only six pan entry came from Bob and Rannveig Wallis.  Sadly the judges deemed this grouping insufficient to win a first place and the AGS Medal.  Probably the Scilla ciliolata, which was not quite out, let the rest of the exhibit down.

Vibrant potted alpine plants including primulas and cyclamen displayed at an Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing stunning alpine flora suitable for rock gardens and container planting.

Allium callimischon subsp haemostictum

By mid-October, the cyclamen, which dominated the shows earlier in the autumn, are joined by other things, including this lovely onion.  The flower buds are formed in the spring, and carried on what appear to be dead stems all summer.  Many an incautious exhibitor has found their plant fails to flower after being tidied up and having these dead stems removed in late summer.

I remembered this monstrous pan belonging to Mark Childerhouse from past shows; I photographed it at the same show in 2019, and again in 2021.  So this time I declined to carry it, and photographed it in situ on the show bench.

Vivid alpine flowers in a garden pot, showcasing diverse small flowering plants suitable for rock gardens and alpine gardening.

Biarum pyrami

Another plant which I am always reluctant to carry, and whose absence we remarked on at the Loughborough autumn show, is this famously stinky Biarum from Bob and Rannveig Wallis.  In the marquee, its fragrance seemed strangely subdued.

Unique alpine plant arrangement in terracotta pot showcasing succulent and foliage varieties for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Agar flower, alpine plant with dark maroon and green foliage, in a terracotta pot for alpine gardening and garden society enthusiasts.

Narcissus elegans

We saw a few pots of Narcissus elegans at the Loughborough Autumn show, but Anne Wright brought some much better ones to this show.

Alpine Garden Society daffodil in terracotta pot with gravel, showcasing early spring flowering and alpine plant cultivation.
White alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, grown for rock garden and alpine plant collection, on a grey background.

Narcissus x perezlarae

I brought this plant because I had never seen it in flower at a show; I thought people would like to see it.  It was originally described from Spain in 1882 as a natural (wild) hybrid between Narcissus serotinus and Narcissus cavanillesii (then called Narcissus humilis).  The “serotinus” parent is, I think, now called correctly N. deficiens.  The wild cross is also recorded from Portugal where it is extremely rare. Indeed the N. cavanillesii parent, though common enough in parts of Spain, is critically endangered in Portugal.

N. x perezlarae grows on sandy or loamy soils including stabilised inland dunes in Cadiz province, S.W. Spain, in disturbed places like road margins with high humidity level. It also occurs in open fields dominated by Mediterranean-type scrub communities. My bulbs came from the collection of an enthusiast in Southern England, but derive originally from Cadiz.

The bulbs flower best if left undisturbed, and the pot is top dressed from time to time.  I grow this pan in a sunny greenhouse plunge where it has a hot dry summer, and it produced 16 flowers.  Last year it also produced buds, but all aborted, so this year I watered it heavily once it entered growth.

I entered this beautiful curiosity in the class for ‘New or Rare’, and won my first first place of the season. Hooray – I thought I was going to blank this year.  Just two more needed for my gold medal.

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Yellow alpine flowers on a grey background, showcasing rare garden plants for alpine gardening enthusiasts, ideal for Alpine Garden Society members, horticulturists and plant collectors.
Bright yellow alpine flower with slender green leaves, representing alpine gardening and native plant cultivation.
Yellow alpine flower with slender green stems, suitable for rock gardens, thriving in alpine and mountainous environments, showcased by the Alpine Garden Society.

Galanthus peshmenii

I don’t recall seeing any snowdrops at Loughborough.  Two weeks later, at this show, both the autumn flowering species were in evidence.  Ian Robertson exhibited a fine pan of Galanthus peshmenii.

White snowdrop flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing early spring garden bulbs, ideal for alpine gardens and bulb enthusiasts.

Galanthus reginae-olgae

In the Intermediate section, David Carver exhibited a number of different forms of Galanthus reginae-olgae, including ‘Autumn Snow’ and ‘Blanc de Chine’.

White snowdrop flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine gardening and bulbous plant cultivation. Perfect for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts interested in hardy plants and garden design.
Snowdrop flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, close-up of Galanthus nivalis for alpine gardening enthusiasts and snowdrop conservation efforts, highlighting early spring flowers and alpine plant cultivation.
Snowdrop flower in terracotta pot for Alpine Garden Society events and gardening tips.

Hyacinthoides ciliolata

Anne Vale exhibited a neat pan of this autumn favourite.  Sadly, for many exhibitors, these are still in bud, and needed another week or two.  A shame they had to cancel the Autumn South show.

Pink-flowering alpine hyacinth in terracotta pot, blooming with vibrant purple blossoms and lush green foliage, perfect for rock gardens and alpine plant collections, from Alpine Garden Society.

Sternbergia lutea Pamukkale

This is the first time I have seen and photographed this clone of Sternbergia lutea from Don Peace.  I don’t know how he has kept it in such good condition – he shared a picture of it on Facebook weeks ago – but I suspect a fridge was involved.

Yellow crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot on a pebble-filled soil bed, showcasing early spring alpine garden plants.

Colchicum baytopiorum

This plant is a long-time favourite of mine.  I have photographed many forms of this Colchicum, but I particularly like this clone from Bob and Rannveig Wallis, with the darker marks in the centre of the flower.

Pink alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant blooms and hardy plant varieties ideal for mountain gardens. Perfect for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Crocus banaticus

As with Galanthus, so with Crocus.  At this show, we saw autumn-flowering Crocus for the first time this year.  This neat and beautifully presented clump of Crocus banaticus came down from the North East with Alan Newton, who surprised himself (and everyone else) by winning the Open section Aggregate, the North of England Horticultural Society’s Cup.

Purple alpine flowers in a pot, suitable for garden or container displays, part of the Alpine Garden Society collection for rock garden enthusiasts.

Crocus pulchellus

In the Intermediate section, David Carver produced Crocus pulchellus. He too won the section aggregate, in his case the Carter Shield.

Purple crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing early spring flowering plants for alpine plant enthusiasts.

Crocus kotschyanus

However, the two best pans of Crocus were in the Open section large pan classes. Both came from the same exhibitor, Ian Robertson.

Purple crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, showcasing early spring alpine gardening potential. Ideal for alpine plant enthusiasts and garden lovers interested in hardy, low-maintenance plants.
Vivid purple crocuses blooming in a garden bed with dark soil, ideal for spring gardening ideas and alpine flower enthusiasts.

Crocus goulimyi

This pan won the Crocus Award for Ian Robertson.  The Joint Rock Garden Committee (JRGC) awarded it a Preliminary Commendation subject to naming this particular clone.  I think the Crocus kotschyanus lost out because the judges felt some of the flowers looked tired.

Purple crocuses blooming in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardening and spring flower displays. Perfect for rock gardens or sunny borders, enhancing your alpine plant collection.

Empodium elongatum

There were several pans of this Empodium (formerly grown as E. flexile), which I discussed in my account of the Loughborough Autumn Show.  Alan Newton exhibited the first, and Bob and Rannveig Wallis the second.

Bright yellow flowers of Alpine Garden Society-bred Iris reticulata blooming in a black pot with brown bark mulch, showcasing early spring flowering and cultivated for rock gardens and alpine plant collections.
Yellow alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, part of the Alpine Garden Society collection, showcasing hardy plants ideal for alpine and rock gardens. Perfect for enthusiasts interested in alpine gardening.

Lachenalia ensifolia subsp maughanii

Bob and Rannveig Wallis also exhibited this little South African bulb.  Although superbly grown and very compact, this again would have benefited from another week or maybe two.

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Daffodil shoots with white flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine gardening at its best, suitable for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Gladiolus stefaniae ?

This remarkable Gladiolus appeared in the Intermediate section, exhibited by David Carver.  He received it as Gladiolus stefaniae, and it has similarities with that, in terms of its habit, and the size and shape of its flowers (about 4 inches across).

However, Gladiolus stefaniae is known for its scarlet flowers with white markings.  I cannot find any reference anywhere to other colour variants, let alone this lovely pale peach.  So it seems probable that this plant is a hybrid; but it is hard to guess the identity of the other parent, which produced this beautiful colouration.

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Amaryllis belladonna flower in full bloom showcasing elegant pale pink petals, stamen, and pistil against dark background, highlighting alpine garden and bulb cultivation expertise.
Amaryllis flower bloom, cultivated by Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts, showcasing stunning large, fragrant flowers ideal for alpine gardening and garden plant collections.

Nerine pudica

Nerine pudica is a plant I have long loved, but struggle to get to flower.  I first saw it exhibited by Ivor Betteridge in 2008.  The best plant I ever saw belonged to the late Bill Squire, with 15 (!) flower spikes in 2009.  This specimen flowered unexpectedly for Bob and Rannveig Wallis.

White and pink nerine flowers in a terracotta pot with pebbled soil, elegant flowering plant suitable for naturalising in gardens and borders - Alpine Garden Society.
Daffodil flowers in soft pink and white blooms, showcasing early spring garden beauty, perfect for alpine and rock gardens, with vibrant greenery for natural garden aesthetic.

Nerine humilis ex Piekeniers Kloof

I put the best of my remaining plants in the class for three small pans of bulbs.  This short form of Nerine humilis, with deep pink, frilly flowers, was the first component.

Pink Gloriosa lily flowering plant in a terracotta pot, healthy green stems, delicate wildflower-inspired petals, suitable for alpine gardening or outdoor display, vivid colours, garden collection.
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Massonia roggeveldensis hybrid

This pan of Massonia seedlings, sown in 2017 as Massonia roggeveldensis, was the second strand of my entry.  The judges loved this, and gave it a Certificate of Merit.  I think the seedlings are rather variable, and probably a hybrid rather than pure Massonia roggeveldensis.

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Cleistocactus colademononis flower with cream petals and black-tipped stamens in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant desert cactus blooms, perfect for succulent and cactus enthusiasts.
White-flowered alpine plant in terracotta pot, part of the Alpine Garden Society collection, with lush green leaves and vibrant blossoms, displayed on a dark background.

Nothoscordum montevidense

This South American bulb was the final member of my three pan entry.  This has masses of small yellow flowers, and a lovely lemony scent, but determinedly refused to open during judging.  It needs warmth and sunshine to open, but fortunately these arrived after lunch and I was able to capture it at least half-open.    Despite this intransigence, I was delighted to find that the judges had given me another first.

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Yellow alpine flowers in a pot, ideal for rock gardens and alpine gardening, showcasing vibrant blooms and hardy foliage. Perfect for enthusiasts and collectors of alpine plants.

Oxalis perdicaria (syn lobata)

Oxalis is another genus which typically waits for the sun to open its flowers.  As a result, this lovely pan from Bob and Rannveig Wallis failed to attract the judges’ attention.

Vivid yellow Alyssum in a terracotta pot, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries. Bright, cheerful, and hardy, ideal for garden borders or containers.

Oxalis stenorrhyncha

Likewise, my own pot of Oxalis stenorrhyncha.

Vivid coral orange flowering plant with lush green foliage, cultivated for ornamental purposes and prized by garden enthusiasts and alpines at the Alpine Garden Society.

Spiranthes cernua Chadds Ford

Readers of my blog about the Loughborough Autumn Show will probably remember that I failed to photograph this orchid.  These specimens were tiring slightly, but still a fine exhibit from Steve Clements.

Alpine Garden Society plant with tall white flower spikes and green foliage in a black pot against a grey background.
Alpine Garden Society display featuring tall, white-flowered alpine plants with green stems against a dark background.

Stenoglottis fimbriata

Anne Vale exhibited this little orchid from South Africa.  This is another plant I have never photographed before, though I have several photos of the very similar, if not synonymous, S. longifolia.  I’m not sure what the distinguishing features are.

Pink flowering plant in a terracotta pot, suitable for alpine gardens, with delicate purple blooms and slender stems. Perfect for rockeries and alpine plant collections.
Pink orchid flower with delicate petals and intricate patterns, part of a wild or cultivated alpine garden display, showcasing the beauty of alpine flora and suitable for garden enthusiasts.

Androsace sarmentosa

The Joint Rock Garden Committee (JRGC) met at the show, and asked me to photograph this plant.  I’m not sure why, but I suspect that it had to do with clarifying some tangle of naming.

Primula marginata flower in a terracotta pot, Alpine Garden Society plant, close-up of the purple bloom with green foliage, suitable for alpine gardening.
Primula floribunda plant with delicate pink and yellow flowers in a terracotta pot, part of the Alpine Garden Society collection.

Dracocephalum species ex Iran

In the Novice section, the aggregate award, the Harrogate Salver, went to new exhibitor Kathryn Hern, who showed this pretty Dracocephalum species, just coming into flower.

Alpine plant with purple flowers and green leaves, suitable for garden cultivation and wildlife habitats.

Miniature garden

The West Riding Plate for the best plant in the Novice section also went to Kathryn Hern for this attractive miniature garden.

Succulent garden in a terracotta pot with various succulent plants and decorative stones, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts alpine garden society.

Flower arrangement

There was only one flower arrangement, but what a beautiful one from Fred and Pat Bundy.  For the first time for ages, I dislodged a stem of berries from the back of it when returning it to the bench.  My apologies for my fat fingers.

Flower arrangement with colourful blooms including daisies, cyclamen, acers, and greenery, showcasing Alpine Garden Society floral displays for alpine plant enthusiasts.
Pink, purple, and white flower bouquet with daisies, cyclamen, and berries, vibrant floral arrangement for alpine gardens and garden display, high-quality floral composition for gardening enthusiasts and landscapers, Alpine Garden Society event floral display.

Saxifraga fortunei

Don Peace produced several pans of Saxifraga fortunei in full flower, earning some valuable first prizes.  Again I am sure there would have been more of these the following weekend, had the Kent Autumn show taken place.  The magenta form is ‘Eiga’, and the double white one ‘Shiranami’.

Pink flowering plant in a terracotta pot featuring vibrant star-shaped blooms and green rounded leaves, ideal for garden decor and loved by Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts.
White alpine flowers in a garden setting, showcasing the beauty of mountain flora with lush green leaves, ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Gentiana Murrayfield

Twenty years ago, the autumn shows used to have large classes of autumn gentians.  I don’t know whether these have become more difficult to cultivate with climate change, or just waned in popularity, but this was the only substantial pot, exhibited by John Richards.  The JRGC awarded it a Preliminary Commendation.

Vivid purple alpine flowers in a garden pot, showcasing vibrant blooms and lush green foliage, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Agapanthus Tinkerbell

I would like to turn my attention now to some non-flowering plants.  Alan Newton successfully entered this variegated Agapanthus in one of the foliage classes.

Vivid green and white striped alpine plant in a garden pot, ideal for rock gardens and cold climates. Perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and collectors of rare hardy plants.

Rebutia heliosa var condorensis

Alan also won the class for a hardy cactus.  All the prizewinners were forms of Rebutia heliosa.  At the moment it is almost pointless to enter anything else.  I wonder how many of the plants we see are on their own roots; this species and its subspecies are tricky to grow to a decent size on their own roots, and it is often sold grafted on to a stock.  Over time, the Rebutia will grow down and surround the stock.

Cactus collection in terracotta pot, showcasing diverse small succulent cacti for alpine gardening. Perfect for rock gardens or windowsills, ideal for alpine plant enthusiasts.

Saxifraga lhommei Cecil Davies

In the Intermediate section, Michael Wilson was awarded a Certificate of Merit for this neat cushion of saxifrage rosettes.

Succulent plant in a terracotta pot, suitable for alpine gardens, showcasing drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants perfect for rock gardens and container planting in alpine gardening.

Dionysia esfandiarii SLIZE259-CL3

Unfortunately, the show reporter wanted to include some cushion plants.  I photographed this monster from John Dixon in the spring, so I knew I was in trouble.  This was, by far, the heaviest pot I carried all day.  I shall be extremely reluctant to do so again, unless it covers itself in flowers.

Green Alpine rock garden plant, hardy sedum in a decorative container, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Arenaria alfacarensis

By contrast, Ian Instone’s Arenaria was much more manageable.  It presents an immaculate green dome, but for some reason seems to have fallen out of favour with the judges.

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Gaultheria Pearls

As always at the autumn shows, there were plants with berries and autumn foliage.  This was another winner for Alan Newton.

Pink berry plant with green foliage in a black pot, suitable for alpine gardening and container displays.

Gaultheria itoana

Less familiar, and harder to photograph, was this little species from Tom Green.

Vivid alpine blueberry plant in a terracotta pot with lush green leaves and white berries, perfect for alpine gardening and suitable for garden enthusiasts.

Cyclamen confusum Raspberry

Finally, I am going to look at some of the Cyclamen which graced the benches.  I think this plant from Roy Skidmore is probably the same one I photographed at the Loughborough Autumn show, but it seems to have gained a clonal epithet since then.

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Cyclamen hederifolium Stargazer

The last species may have been called C. confusum, but if ever a plant was confused it is surely this one.  This is Cyclamen hederifolium Stargazer, again from Roy Skidmore, with its upward facing flowers.

White alpine flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, showcasing delicate petals and dark centres, ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts and rare plant collectors.

Cyclamen hederifolium

In the Intermediate section, David Carver won the Colin Field Memorial Trophy for a plant grown from seed with this neat silver-leafed specimen.

Bright pink and white cyclamen flowers in a terracotta pot, surrounded by green variegated leaves, perfect for alpine gardening and stunning indoor or outdoor plant displays.

Cyclamen graecum subsp candicum

This big cyclamen exhibited by Ian Robertson was a bit of a puzzle.  I assume it was named ‘subsp candicum’ because of its parentage, but that subspecies normally has white flowers with purple tips; this plant is a strong mid-pink.

Pink cyclamen plants in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant blooms and variegated foliage, perfect for alpine gardening and indoor plant enthusiasts.
Vibrant pink cyclamen flowers with variegated green leaves, symbolising Alpine Garden Society’s focus on rare and beautiful alpine plants for gardening enthusiasts.

Cyclamen graecum subsp candicum

This tiny plant from Roy Skidmore is much more typical of the species.  I may have photographed it at Loughborough, but I don’t care – I love these tiny forms.

White cyclamen flowers in pot for alpine gardening and garden enthusiasts.

Cyclamen graecum subsp candicum

Likewise this lovely specimen from Bob Worsley, which won the Mr & Mrs W H Nortcliffe Memorial Trophy for the best plant in a small pot.

Cyclamen flower in a terracotta pot showcasing vibrant blooms and patterned foliage, ideal for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts and alpine plant collectors.

Cyclamen graecum subsp graecum

This was another neat plant, this time from David Charlton.  There were so many fine specimens, it was hard to decide which ones to select and photograph.

Delicate pink cyclamen flowers in a terracotta pot, blooming beautifully with vibrant green variegated leaves, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Cyclamen graecum subsp graecum Rhodopou

A very beautiful form of Cyclamen graecum from Bob and Rannveig Wallis.

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Cyclamen maritimum

This was another plant I thought I probably photographed at Loughborough, this time grown by Bob Worsley.  I am not sure how the exhibitors keep them in good condition – my own plants from that show are long gone.  How many of these specimens spend their weekdays in a cool shaded frame, or even in a fridge, and only come out to play at weekends ?

Pink Cyclamen in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant blooms and variegated foliage, perfect for alpine gardens and horticultural enthusiasts.

Cyclamen mirabile Tilebarn Nicholas

David Charlton brought this lovely specimen of Cyclamen mirabile Tilebarn Nicholas.

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Cyclamen purpurascens

Not all Cyclamen are exhibited for their flowers.  This plant made a fine foliage entry for Bob Worsley.

Hedera helix Variegata – Variegated ivy plant in a terracotta pot, featuring green leaves with creamy-yellow edges, suitable for alpine gardens and container planting.

Cyclamen rohlfsianum

Just two more.  Bob and Rannveig Wallis received a Certificate of Merit for this Cyclamen rohlfsianum.  That is two in a row, for they received the same award at Hexham.  This is the third show it has been at this year, and it still has no significant foliage.

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Pink cyclamen flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant colours and healthy foliage, ideal for alpine and rock gardens. Perfect for garden enthusiasts interested in alpine plants and flowering bulbs.

Cyclamen intaminatum

The Farrer at this show went to a much smaller plant, Cyclamen intaminatum exhibited by Ian Robertson.  This is always a miniature species, and although it was physically smaller than some of the other plants I have shown you, it was a large, mature specimen of a species which is hard to grow to any size.

Violet flowering cyclamen in a terracotta pot with gravel, showcasing alpine garden plants.
Vibrant pink cyclamen flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine garden plants and foliage, perfect for UK garden enthusiasts.
Vivid pink cyclamen flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine garden plant photography and gardening tips.
Vivid pink cyclamen flowers in full bloom, ideal for garden cultivation and decorative displays.

Open Section Season aggregate

So what of the Open Section aggregate for the season ?  After the Hexham show the situation was finely balanced, with Bob and Rannveig Wallis, who won 33 first points at that show, just 3 points behind Don Peace.  Surely if they came to Harlow Carr they would overtake him ?  It was not to be.  The decision about the small six pan class was pivotal (6 points gone astray), but that would not have been enough on its own.  At the end of the show, and season, Don was 10 points clear, and wins the Giuseppi Cup.  Commiserations to Bob and Rannveig.

Thanks to Everyone

I would like to offer my thanks to show secretaries Ian and Georgina Instone and all their team of AGS helpers, for delivering an exceptional show under a most trying set of circumstances.  They wouldn’t have been able to do it without tremendous support from the RHS Harlow Carr team, so huge thanks to them as well.  Not to mention the exhibitors, the judges, and the visitors, all of whom combined to make this a great show.  Surely we can find ways of resolving or avoiding some of the problems which beset them, not least the emailed entries which went astray.

Narcissus broussonetii

Sunday night saw me make a long and exhausting drive back home from Nottingham in torrential rain.  I spent the journey wondering if I could have organised my entries differently to gain a third first, and thus my elusive gold medal.  When I got back my ponderings were answered.

A most beautiful scent filled the greenhouse.  The source of this, once located, was my first ever flowers on this extremely rare daffodil from Morocco.  This plant is my last remaining bulb from a 2007 sowing of seed from the late Mike Salmon of Monocot Nursery.  I believe I can credit the summer baking we had this year for the flowers.  If only…

White alpine flowers, possibly Narcissus or similar, in full bloom showcasing delicate petals and pollen, part of the Alpine Garden Society's collection for rock garden plant enthusiasts.
Read previous entries at The Photographers Diary

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