Loughborough Show 2024

The show had a new venue this year which, on entering, led through the plant sales area and the usual tasty catering area to a good, bright show hall. Walking into the hall, it was clear spring had finally arrived as I was presented with a magnificent mind blowing vista ...(more below)
April 23, 2024
AGS Editor
Category(s):
Genera:
Species:

The show had a new venue this year which, on entering, led through the plant sales area and the usual tasty catering area to a good, bright show hall.

Loughborough Show view

Walking into the hall, it was clear spring had finally arrived as I was presented with a magnificent mind blowing vista of beautiful Primula, Narcissus, orchids, Fritillaria, Corydalis and tulips. I could go on for ever – there were 436 plants brought by 45 exhibitors. Here are some of my favourites.

Alpine Garden Society plants, potted evergreen, indoor gardening, rare succulent, alpine flora, plant collection, botanical hobby, plant enthusiast, garden hobbyist, plant care tips, alpine plant enthusiasts.

A very intriguing and fascinating hardy fern Pyrrosia hastata in class 42 was exhibited by Don Peace. Another intriguing plant, Asarum maximum from China, scary to look at, was shown by Ian Instone.

Vivid purple and green flowering plant in terracotta pot, showcasing alpine garden plants, suitable for rockeries and container gardening.

A most beautiful coloured Hepatica japonica ‘Gyousei’ from Chris Lilley.

White alpine flowers, primula, garden flowers, spring bloom, garden plant, alpine garden society, floral display, nature photography, garden enthusiasts, gardening tips and ideas, botanical image, plant species, floral arrangement, wildflower garden, seasonal flowers, outdoor gardening, plant care, plant collection, flower landscape, plant hobby, horticulture, flower garden design.

The best pan of bulbous plants was won by Jim McGregor with Tulipa cretica, which he tells me is 20 years old.

Vivid purple primula flowers in terracotta pot, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries.
Vivid purple primulas in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine garden plants. Perfect for rock gardens and container planting, these hardy flowers thrive in alpine conditions, adding colour to your outdoor space.
Primula malacoides in a terracotta pot, showcasing delicate purple flowers with yellow centres, perfect for alpine gardening and plant enthusiasts.

The Primula as usual were great, especially Primula ‘Lepus’ from Don Peace and Primula allionii ‘Chivalry’ from Geoff Rollinson, both trophy winners. Primula x gothoburgensis, a baby, was sown in January 2023 and exhibited by Alex O’Sullivan. Finally, there were two plants of P. ‘Broadwell Milkmaid’ in the Novice Section from Ezio Visona and Graham Henderson.

Pink alpine geranium flowers with green foliage in a pot, vibrant pink blooms, perfect for alpine gardens and container planting, showcasing hardy, low-maintenance plants for rock gardens and garden borders.
Pink alpine geranium plant in a terracotta pot, highlighted by lush green foliage and delicate pink flowers against a neutral background. Perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Moving on there were also nice plants of Corydalis ‘Beth Evans’ from Edward Barraclough and a Corydalis solida from Don Peace.

White crocus flowers in a terracotta pot for alpine gardening.

A good exhibit of Crocus vernus from Vic and Janet Aspland earned them a Certificate of Merit.

White cyclamen flower potted plant, perfect for alpine gardens and shady garden areas.

Congratulations to Sue Bedwell for her great contribution to the Intermediate Section and winning the Outwood Trophy for most first prize points.

White and purple alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing hardy plants suitable for alpine gardening. Perfect for enthusiasts and collectors of mountain plants.
Cyclamen in a green pot, showcasing delicate pink and white flowers with variegated green leaves, perfect for alpine gardening and container plant displays.

There were only 13 plants in the Novice Section including several Primula, a nice Scilla melaina and a Cyclamen libanoticum. Christine Jarvis won the Beacon Trophy for the aggregate points, so well done.

Clustering of small white-spined cacti in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine succulent plants for alpine gardening and cactus growing enthusiasts.
White cacti, alpine succulent plants in a terracotta pot on rocky soil, showcasing hardy alpine flora for rock gardens and succulent enthusiasts.
Aloe verapicta cactus with dense white spines in a terracotta pot, suitable for alpine garden enthusiasts, showcasing succulent plant cultivation and desert horticulture.

Among all the wonderful plants we also had some interesting ‘snowballs’: Mammillaria gracilis ‘Arizona Snowcap’, also M. plumosa from New Mexico and a Rebutia muscula.  Great to see well-grown hardy cacti on the show bench.

Alpine crocus flowers blooming in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant purple and yellow colours, suitable for alpine garden enthusiasts and rock gardening.
Yellow alpine flowers in a terracotta pot with green grass-like foliage and a dark background.
Primula flowers in terracotta pots showcasing early spring bloom in an alpine garden.

Congratulations to Bob and Rannveig Wallis on winning the Open Section Aggregate and the Roger Smith Cup for six pans grown from seed.

Yellow flowering Lemon Lily in a terracotta pot, suitable for alpine gardens and rock gardens. Bright, vibrant blooms ideal for alpine plant collections and garden displays.

Congratulations also to Michael Wilson who gained a Certificate of Merit for Tulipa iliensis.

Vivid purple primula flowers in terracotta pot, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries.
Vibrant yellow colchicum flowers in a terracotta pot with rocky soil, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts.
Ranunculus crithmifolius exhibited by Don Peace
Six small pans of rock plants exhibited by Don Peace

Don Peace went home with four awards, the AGS Medal for the small six pan, the Richard Regan Trophy for his best in a 19cm pot plant and two Certificates of Merit. A wonderful grower of alpines.

Drought-tolerant succulent ground cover with small green leaves and pink flowers, ideal for alpine gardens and rock gardens.
Kelseya uniflora exhibited by Peter Hood

And, finally, what can we say. Peter Hood brought his magnificent Kelseya uniflora, a plant he has had for approximately 30 years, which he thinks he bought in Blackpool. It is grown half plunged in his greenhouse in typical alpine compost with a small bit of lime. He repots it every other year and reckons it flowers better after repotting. He won the Farrer Medal and the American trophy for the best plant native to the Americas. [photo of Peter with the plant by Don Peace]

A great end to a great day.

Reporter Jo Walker
Photographer Jon Evans

All news