Harlow Carr Show 2019

Jon shares photographs of the stunning plants exhibited at our autumn show at RHS Harlow Carr. ...(more below)
October 29, 2019
AGS Editor
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I don’t normally travel as far as Yorkshire for shows but this year Helen and I decided to make the trip to the Harlow Carr show.

I was due to speak at the North Wales AGS group in Bangor on the Wednesday before the show, so our journey became a mini road-trip. We had a relatively dry trip up to Aberconwy (including a brief detour to Ashwood Nursery) and enjoyed our evening with the group, and the kind hospitality of Tim and Gemma overnight.

We planned to spend the Thursday evening with Helen’s mother in Nottingham so we were able to make a leisurely journey across the country, taking the slower, more scenic route through the hills to Llangollen, rather than chasing the Expressway across North Wales.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

This trip was much more enjoyable than racing along the dual carriageways and we were able to visit the World Heritage site at Pontcysyllte aqueduct, which I have never visited before.

This was designed by Thomas Telford and William Jessop in 1805. It was built to carry the proposed Ellesmere Canal (intended to link the River Severn at Shrewsbury with the Port of Liverpool, via the coal mines of North Wales. 18 towering stone arches carry a cast-iron trough 336 yards long 124 feet above the River Dee. Although the canal was never completed, the structure remains the longest aqueduct in Great Britain and the highest canal aqueduct in the world.

The canal is still navigable by narrowboat and links Llangollen with Hurleston in Cheshire, via Ellesmere in Shropshire.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, though it was a bit unnerving on the towpath out in the middle of the valley. Later, we had an excellent cup of tea and bacon butty in the narrowboat cafe, rocking gently from side to side.

Historic viaduct bridge surrounded by lush green trees in a picturesque natural setting.
Vibrant green trees and lush foliage surround a historic stone railway viaduct with multiple arches set against a scenic hillside backdrop in rural England.
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Vintage narrowboats moored at the Alpine Garden Society boatyard in a scenic, lush green setting with rolling hills in the background, showcasing traditional UK canal cruising.
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A stunning bridge with multiple arches spanning over a lush green valley, showcasing impressive engineering and scenic landscape, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and architecture lovers.
Rustic mountain railway bridge with steel arches and railing, surrounded by lush green trees and forested landscape, captured during daylight.
Boat moored along a canal with lush green hills in the background, representing a peaceful outdoor setting for gardening enthusiasts interested in alpine plants and horticulture.

Nottingham to Harrogate

After a great meal out in Nottingham, we set off northwards towards Harrogate the following day, accompanied by Helen’s mum. Again, our travel times were leisurely and we detoured to Pottertons Nursery en route, where the girls looked after us very well and plied us with tea and biscuits, though owners Rob and Jackie were away, making their way back from a trip to Scotland.

We had found a nice pub just north of Harrogate to stay in, with an excellent carvery in the evenings. By the time we reached the show on Saturday morning, my few plants had been in the car for three days and had travelled 650 miles.

Packed show halls

Helen dropped me off early at Harlow Carr, so that she could spend the day with her mum, revisiting the Yorkshire Dales – she grew up near Halifax. The show takes place in the two upper floor rooms of Bramall Learning Centre, accessed by a back entrance direct from the carpark. By the time I entered, both rooms were packed with plants, particularly the room I hoped to set up my studio in, which housed the small pan and Intermediate classes. I ended up working in a corner next to massed pots of Cyclamen, but I was partly obstructing the aisle, and had to abandon operations for a while when the show was first opened, and at its busiest.

Vibrant display of flowering cyclamen plants in terracotta pots at an Alpine Garden Society exhibition, with visitors admiring the plants and engaging in gardening discussions indoors.
Vibrant display of flowering cyclamen plants at Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing diverse varieties for gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors.
A Variety of colourful alpine plants displayed in terracotta pots at an Alpine Garden Society event indoors.
Vivid display of potted alpine plants and flowering varieties at the Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing horticultural expertise, plant competitions, and gardening accessories for enthusiasts.

Six small pans of Rock Plants

In one corner of this room was Alan Newton’s entry of six small pans of rock plants.

Vibrant display of Cyclamen and crocus flowering plants in pots, showcasing early spring blooms at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition. Perfect for alpine plant enthusiasts and garden displays.

In the other room, there was a little more space around the pots but the benches were still pretty full and, with the operation for the tea and cake bar, there was little room for photographers.

Colorful displays of cyclamen and various flowering plants at an Alpine Garden Society event, showcasing vibrant garden plants and floral arrangements for enthusiasts.
Vibrant cyclamen plants in terracotta pots showcased at the Alpine Garden Society event, attracting gardening enthusiasts and plant growers interested in alpine and seasonal plants.

Saxifraga fortunei  ‘Rubrifolia’

One of highlights of the large pan section was this huge pot of Saxifraga fortunei ‘Rubrifolia’ exhibited by Mark Childerhouse. There was no point even trying to carry it to the ‘studio’; it would have eclipsed my background cards.

Alpine garden plants displayed at an Alpine Garden Society show with colourful blooms and succulent varieties in terracotta pots.
Vivid flowering plants displayed at an Alpine Garden Society show, featuring diverse species with colourful blooms, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Flower arrangement

I have learnt now that as long as the class has been judged, the flower arrangements are one of the few things I can remove to photograph before judging has finished without getting into trouble. This lovely, autumn-themed arrangement was produced by Fred and Pat Bundy.

Vibrant mixed flower arrangement featuring sweet peas, daisies, and other garden blooms in a green vase, symbolising alpine garden beauty and floral diversity.
Vibrant alpine flower arrangement featuring crocuses, asters, and primroses, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts; showcases colourful, hardy blooms ideal for mountain gardens and rockeries.

Crocus goulimyi

As always, my chief concern when judging has finished is to photograph as quickly as possible the plants that might close up, or otherwise deteriorate during the show. At the autumn shows that means starting with the Crocus. This pan of C. goulimyi was exhibited by John Richards.

Vivid purple crocus flowers in a terracotta pot, blooming in early spring, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries.

Crocus goulimyi subsp. leucanthus

Also from John Richards.

White alpine flowers in a terracotta pot with dark background, showcasing native and cultivated species for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Crocus kotschyanus subsp. kotschyanus

Vic and Janet Aspland exhibited a nice fresh looking pan of Crocus kotschyanus subsp. kotschyanus.

Violet crocus flowers in a terracotta pot, blooming with vibrant yellow stamens on dark background, ideal for Alpine garden plant displays and garden enthusiasts.
Violet crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, showcasing early spring alpine garden plants.

Nothoscordum montevidense

I was delighted to see that my pan of Nothoscordum montevidense had responded to the warm and morning sunshine by opening fully before judging started. I had entered it in the class for a plant rare in cultivation. Apparently, there was some discussion about whether it was sufficiently rare for the class but I haven’t seen it exhibited by anyone else in the last decade. Anyway, in the end they decided it was worth a first – that is 6 this year, way more than my normal 0 or 1.

Yellow alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, perfect for rock gardens and alpine plant collections, showcasing the beauty of hardy garden flora.

Oxalis massoniana

Oxalis is another genus with flowers which can close as soon as the sun goes off them. This lovely little pot of O. massoniana was exhibited by Gemma Hayes.

Sunset Gold calibrachoa flowering plant in a terracotta pot, vibrant orange and yellow blooms, perfect for alpine gardens and container displays.
Calceolaria in a terracotta pot, vibrant orange and yellow flowers, perfect for alpine gardens, showcasing colourful, compact, and hardy plants suitable for rockeries and container gardening.

Oxalis hirta purple form

I was rather intrigued by this plant exhibited by Michael Myers in the Intermediate section (he won the Carter Shield for the section aggregate). It is clearly different from both the normal lilac form and the richer purple Gothenburg form, and I would very much like to grow it.

Pink and purple alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing a variety of hardy plants suitable for alpine gardens. Perfect for enthusiasts of alpine gardening and plant cultivation.
Alpine wildflower purple blossom growing on mountain plant, vibrant purple flower with yellow centre and green foliage, Alpine Garden Society plant feature.

Lachenalia ensifolia subsp. ensifolia (formerly Polyxena)

Peter Farkasch brought a few South African bulbs, including this nice group of Lachenalia.

White hyacinth flowers blooming in terracotta pot with green leaves and soil, a beautiful alpine garden plant display.
White flowering alpine plants in a terracotta pot, showcasing hardy blooms suitable for mountainous and garden environments.

Sternbergia sicula

In the same three-pan entry, Peter Farkasch had a good pan of Sternbergia sicula, one of several in the show.

Bright yellow alpine lilies in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant blooms ideal for alpine gardening and rock gardens.

Sternbergia sicula

From Bob Worsley.

Bright yellow crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, showcasing early spring alpine gardening with vibrant colour and hardy plants perfect for alpine gardens.

Sternbergia sicula

Michael Myers won the Kath Dryden award for the best pan of bulbous plants in the Intermediate or Novice sections.

Vibrant yellow crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and rock garden collectors.
Bright yellow crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot filled with small stones, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries.

Sternbergia sicula

Finally, this lovely pan won the Mr & Mrs W H Nortcliffe Memorial Trophy for the best plant in a 19cm pot for Vic and Janet Aspland.

Bright yellow alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts. Perfect for showcasing hardy plants and mountain garden aesthetics.

Cyclamen rohlfsianum

As well as the Nothoscordum, I had taken two pots of Cyclamen rohlfsianum I had grown from seed from Joy Bishop, which were flowering for the first time. The leaves had lengthened rather disappointingly during their time in the car but I was still pleased with them.

Cyclamen growing in a terracotta pot with vibrant green variegated leaves, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Vivid pink cyclamen plant in a black pot with green and variegated leaves, ideal for alpine gardens and shaded environments.

Cyclamen graecum

A very lovely, neat, small pan of Cyclamen graecum from Derek Pickard.

Violet flowering plant in a terracotta pot with rocky soil, showcasing alpine garden flora for enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Cyclamen graecum subsp. candicum

Another fine plant from Steve Walters, who went on to win the North of England Horticultural Society’s Cup, the aggregate award for the Open section, with a boot-full of Cyclamen.

Cyclamen in a terracotta pot showcasing alpine garden plants suitable for rock gardens and shaded areas.

Cyclamen purpurascens

I think this lovely silver-leafed plant of C. purpurascens was from Steve Walters but my record-keeping failed so I can’t be sure.

Cyclamen in a terracotta pot, thriving with purple blooms and variegated green leaves, highlighting Alpine garden plants and cultivated for botanical enthusiasts.

Cyclamen hederifolium

Certainly Steve Walters exhibited the first of these two Cyclamen hederifolium. The second was from Tommy Anderson.

Cyclamen plant with vibrant pink flowers and green leaves in a terracotta pot, set against a black background, showcasing alpine gardening and flowering plant cultivation.
Purple cyclamen flowering plant in a brown pot with green ivy leaves against a black background.

Cyclamen hederifolium  ‘Tilebarn Helena’

This white Cyclamen hederifolium was exhibited by John Savage as Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Silver Cloud’, but was deemed by the cyclamen cognoscenti to be ‘Tilebarn Helena’.

White flowering cyclamen in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine plant cultivation and gardening.

Cyclamen cilicium  D31

An interesting large flowered form of Cyclamen cilicium from Brian Burrow.  I have found out since the show that this is a seedling that Dave Riley gave to Brian resulting from Jim Archibald seed code 035901.8 sown on the 28/11/04.

Violet Cyclamen in a terracotta pot, showcasing Alpine garden plants suitable for rock gardens and temperate regions.

Cyclamen mirabile

There were various forms of Cyclamen mirabile as well. The first two, with selected leaf markings, were from Steve Walters. The third, deep pink form was from Vic and Janet Aspland.

Vast purple blooming cyclamen plant in a terracotta pot on rocky soil, showcasing alpine gardening and indoor plant care.
Alpine cyclamen flowering in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant purple blooms and variegated green leaves, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.
Cyclamen in a pot showcasing vibrant pink flowers and variegated leaves, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Galanthus peshmenii  ‘Kastellorizo form’

Fred and Pat Bundy exhibited a substantial pan of this attractive snowdrop, originally collected by Martyn Rix in the ’70s on the Turkish island of Kastellorizo.

Spring snowdrop flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, showcasing early flowering plants suitable for alpine gardens and rockeries.

Galanthus reginae-olgae

Bob Worsley exhibited this pot of Galanthus reginae-olgae – just catching the last of the morning sunshine.

Delicate snowdrop flowers in a small terracotta pot, showcasing early spring blooms and alpine garden plants for rock gardens and shaded areas.
Snowdrop flowers blooming in early spring, showcasing alpine garden flora with delicate white petals.

Gentiana  ‘Blue Silk’

The small pan classes contained few gentians and this one, from Norman Davies, was probably the best.

Blue gentian flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine plant cultivation and vibrant bloom display.

Saxifraga fortunei  ‘Eiga’

Selected (Japanese?) clones of S. fortunei are becoming a stalwart of the autumn shows; Mark Childerhouse brought this one.

Pink alpine geranium plant flowering in a terracotta pot for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Saxifraga fortunei  ‘Gokka’

From Tom Green.

Vibrant pink primula flowers with green foliage, showcasing alpine garden plants perfect for rockeries and container gardening, emphasizing hardy, colourful plants for alpine environments.

Petrocosmea minor

Dave Mountfort brought several Petrocosmea, including these two plants of P. minor.

Purple flowering plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant blooms and lush green leaves, ideal for alpine gardens and suitable for cold climate cultivations.
Violet African violet plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant purple flowers and green foliage, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Abies lasiocarpa  ‘Duflon’

Dave Riley exhibited this tiny, desperately slow-growing conifer.

Dense green alpine succulent plant in a terracotta pot, ideal for rock gardens and alpine collections, showcasing thriving, drought-tolerant flora.

Cystopteris dickieana

Now a couple of ferns. Don Peace showed this one in the small pan classes.

Lush green fern plant in terracotta pot, perfect for alpine gardens and shaded woodland settings. Ideal for garden enthusiasts seeking lush foliage and natural beauty.

Asplenium fontanum

Brian and Shelagh Smethurst exhibited this fern in the large pan classes.

Green fern in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine garden plant collection, showcasing lush foliage and ideal for rock gardens or shaded alpine environments.

Aeonium tabuliforme

Michael Wilson exhibited this fabulous rosette, which appealed to the photographer and also to the judges. This sparked a great deal of discussion, for it was generally considered to be very tender. The other curious thing about it was that it won a class for a plant from the Southern Hemisphere. I believe that it is endemic to Tenerife; the last time I checked that was well north of the equator! Anyway, it was a beautiful plant and I was very pleased to photograph it.

Vibrant green succulent plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing the beauty of alpine plants, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and succulent collectors.
Green succulent plant with rosette formation, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries.

Arum pictum

This Arum, exhibited by Michel Myers, gradually tainted the air at one end of the hall. I was glad to put it back on the bench.

Alpine Garden Society horticultural display featuring rare and exotic plants in a decorative pot with pebbles.
Rich dark purple and green foliage of lessaflora arum plant with glossy leaves, planted in pebbled soil, part of Alpine Garden Society's collection, showcasing alpine and bulbous garden plants.

Cyclamen mirabile

Steven Squires won the Colin Field Memorial Trophy for class 103 (a plant grown from seed in the Intermediate section), with this Cyclamen.

Alpine cyclamen plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant purple flowers and hardy foliage, ideal for alpine gardening and container planting.

Colchicum x agrippinum

Michael Wilson exhibited this Colchicum as part of an entry which brought him the Harrogate Salver for the points aggregate in the Novice Section.

Pink and purple striped alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, thriving in rocky soil, set against a dark background. Perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and flower collectors.

Gaultheria mucronata

John Savage brought some fine plants for the large pan classes for plants in cone, fruit or seed. First, a heavily laden specimen of Gaultheria mucronata.

Purple Berry Bush in a black pot, showcasing vibrant, ornamental alpine plant suitable for rock gardens and containers. Ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors.
Vivid pink Hebe plant with spherical flowers in black pot, perfect for alpine gardens, Rockeries, or container planting, showcasing low-maintenance, hardy garden plants suitable for UK climate.

Gaultheria procumbens

Also from John Saxton, this Gaultheria had a real Christmas feel.

Vibrant holly plant with red berries and glossy green leaves, perfect for alpine gardening and garden design. Ideal for showcasing alpine garden society collections and winter landscapes.
Vibrant winterberry holly plant with red berries and glossy green leaves, ideal for alpine gardens and hardy landscaping in the UK.

Gentiana sino-ornata  ‘Gorau Glas’

A fine large pan of autumn gentians from Frank and Barbara Hoyle. As a grower (and killer!) of cushions, Frank seldom has plants for the autumn shows.

Vivid blue Byroniaca flowers in a terracotta pot, perfect for alpine gardening and rockeries, showcasing vibrant garden plant varieties for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Gentiana  ‘Murrayfield’

The pick of the large-pan gentians came from John Richards.

Vivid blue iris flowers in a black pot, showcasing vibrant alpine garden plants, perfect for garden enthusiasts and alpine plant collectors.
Vivid blue morning glories blooming in an alpine garden, showcasing vibrant colours and lush greenery for alpine plant enthusiasts and garden design enthusiasts.

Cyclamen cilicium

Steve Walters exhibited this large pan of Cyclamen cilicium.

Violet cyclamen flowers in a clay pot with variegated leaves, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries.

Cyclamen graecum

Derek Pickard won a Certificate of Merit with this large pan of Cyclamen graecum.

Cyclamen flower in a terracotta pot, vibrant purple blooms, alpine garden society plant, indoor garden flower, annual garden plant, UK garden enthusiast, flowering houseplant, delicate seasonal bloom, cultivated floral display, alpine garden society member plant relevance.
Pink cyclamen flowering plant in a terracotta pot, vibrant garden flower, suitable for alpine gardens and container planting, focus on hardy and ornamental plants for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts.

Cyclamen hederifolium subsp. crassifolium ex Zakynthos

The other Certificate of Merit awarded at the show went to Steve Walters for this Cyclamen hederifolium.

Pink cyclamen flowering plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant blossom and lush green foliage, ideal for alpine gardening enthusiasts and collectors of alpine plants.

Allium callimischon

However, the Cyclamen were just pipped to the Farrer Medal (Best in Show) by this fine pan of Allium callimischon from Dave Mountfort.

Alpine garden society flowering alpine plant in terracotta pot for rock gardens and alpine habitats.
Vivid white alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing hardy mountain flora with grey-green foliage, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Scadoxus multiflorus

By the time I had packed up plants and camera gear, and carried it to the far end of the car park where my wife had squeezed back in, there was just time for a quick foray to the Harlow Carr Alpine House, where the plant which most caught my attention was this fabulous South African bulb.

Spiny red flowering plant in a garden pot, showcasing vibrant blooms and intricate seed heads, ideal for alpine garden collections and rock garden displays.

I really enjoyed this show and met up with many old friends from the north, several of whom I hadn’t seen since this time last year. I would like to thank show secretaries Ian and Georgina Instone and all their team for their hard work, in particular the ladies who produced an endless stream of tea and cake from the tiny kitchen.

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