Shrewsbury Flower Show 2011

[Brian Ellis]

The object of our recent trip was to visit the Shrewsbury Flower Show.  This has been in existence since 1875 and is believed to be the biggest such show that is organised by a horticultural society.  Percy Thrower was Parks Superintendent for 28 years and the show takes place in the 29 acre Quarry Park, in the centre of Shrewsbury, around "The Dingle" an incredible example of floral bedding. The one disadvantage (for me) being that it is on the side of a hill going from the centre of Shrewsbury down to the river.  The Show itself takes place in one marquee, floral arrangements are shown in a second and the third is the Floral Marquee (aka scrummage!), there is also horse-jumping, the usual food and sundries stands and a marvellous (I am told) firework display in the evening.  One thing I noticed was the live music at various points around the show as well as at the bandstand.  It was disappointing to see, as in many other shows, that some classes only attracted one or two entries, whilst others had an abundance of produce to see.  We always think that it is better to win a class with lots of entries than the class in which you are the only exhibitor.  Both David and I judge and personally would not have given the sempervivum entry first in the "Container of Succulents or Cacti" as the lower plants seemed to be placed on the surface of the tables rather than in the 'container' - but the judges would have had a much better poke about than us so we may have been wrong!  Most of the following pictures are from the floral marquee as there were too many people milling about to make taking photographs simple!

I liked the Chrysanthemum display as I thought many of the vases were wonderful combinations of two different Chrysanth's.
This is the 'Container' I wonder what you think?
Eagle Sweet Peas had Lathyrus 'Lisa Marie' which I particularly liked en masse in this basket, the use of foliage also was effective.

[Brian Ellis]

As usual there were plenty of 'New' varieties to tempt, here is Echinacea 'Irresistable'
One of the most colourful stands was Pheasant Acre's display of Gladiolus and elsewhere I particularly liked this G.'Antica'

[Brian Ellis]

Here I have to say I blame Mark Smyth for my interest in these miniature Hosta on Sue Proctor's stand.  
This was Jacques Amand's lovely stand, and here was an incredible display of Lilies.
Lastly Plant Heritage (formerly NCCPG) won three medals with this display.

[mark smyth]

Happy to have pushed you in the Hosta direction. Are you buying miniatures?

[Brian Ellis]

A modest four has started me off Mark

[Brian Ellis]

I was just going to whizz outside and photograph then for you...but it is raining, hooray!  They are Hosta Allan P McConnell, Little Wonder, Popo and Feather Boa; two miniatures - Feather Boa and Popo and the others being designated as small, although I see on Mickfield Hostas site the Feather Boa is listed as small not mini...

[shelagh]

Brian what do you mean Hooray it's raining, been doing that all week here.  First dry day today rain forecast again for tomorrow.  This is all because I have treated the greenhouse to a new net curtain to keep out the sun.

[johnw]

Mark's enthusiasm got me looking at the miniatures. A local nursery boasts 50 miniatures and I've had my eye on 3, one of which is a neat shiny one called "Appletini". Hoping for anautumn sale as $18 each in 4" pots.

In the early 90's we had a terrible bout of hosta collecting, back when some were outrageously expensive.  I came out of a nursery north of Seattle with 4 hostas in hand and my wallet $300 lighter.

Theonly dwarves I had were Tiny Tears, Thumbnail, a dwarf from Don Armstrong with very narrow leaves, Baby...something and one from Steve Doonan collected wild in Japan called 'RDSOSDS'.  The later I must locate.

You may need some aggressive therapy Brian.

johnw

[Brian Ellis]

Oh Shelagh, our ground is still dry!  It really has been a most peculiar year.

John I'm trying to resist, but I am just too weak