AGS North Midland Show - Chesterfield - 6th April 2013

[veteran vet]

sorry Cliff, got my palustris and ranunculus mixed up

[veteran vet]

Onward after correcting an elementary error
Also in short supply this year ahs been Cassiope, but somehow, from the depth of frozen Norfolk (if what my daughter tells me is true) again Cecilia Coller produced the best pan of Ericacaea with
Cassiope 'Muirhead', another belter
We move on to the smaller open section and again Ian Kidman had the only entry (Class 49) and again was a clear red sticker job, I attach three from his six
Saxifraga 'Lismore Carmine'...used to be seen often, not so much now
Dionysia odora x tapetodes
Primula 'Starlight'
Just to prove that somebody else other than Derek Pickard can grow
Dionysia bryoides John Dixon got the nod in class 51

[veteran vet]

My notes went somewhat off skew when I took the next picture so
Corydalis solida ssp incisa alba will be minus an exhibitor I/d
Iris svetianae was from Ivor Betteridge in Class 50, is a new one to me. I put up pictures of
Iris winowgradowii last week but it is such a lovely thing I thought it could bear repetition (Don Peace, Class 52)
There was much comment on some hybrid Primula produced by Brian Burrow and of these two were very interesting
Primula allionii hybrid BB 09-33-6 and
Primula 'Coolock Snowball' certainly drew your attention in Class 54

[veteran vet]

To continue on the Primula theme Ian Kidman had a hybrid that is extremely floriferous that he has slowly distributed in recent years and which he has named
Primula x 'Durham' I believe it may be of the 'Lindum' stable but was not named by them. Ian also won the class 57, one pan primula, native to Europe with
Primula JCA 4161-22, a lovely plant, an allionii no doubt but Native to Europe ? is for me open to debate.
The classes for Asiatic Primula have been thin south of the Border (I have seen the pics from Edinburgh) but one seldom seen one won class 56 for John Richards, I am sorry that the picture is rather poor
Primula megaseifolia
I said that so far this year Androsace have been few and far betweenbut
Androsace pyrenaica won in class 58 (George Young)
Dionysia bryoides in class 59 (Derek Pickard) was the Best Plant in a <19cm pan

[veteran vet]

Many competitors reprt losses in there draba collection over this winter and so classes again have been reduced in entry number but Dave Riley had in class 61
Draba yunnanensis

[veteran vet]

Hit the send button too quick
Saxifraga 'Coolock Gem', Ian Kidman class 63
Saxifraga 'Winnifred', Brian Burrow (63) shows that the older c/v's can still do their stuff
Saxifraga 'Cumulus Anne Vale (63)
Pleione formosana 'Clare' (66) from Clare Oates, guess she just had to try this one
In marked contrast to Alan Newtons exhibit from Cleveland
Fritillaria pinardii shown in 67 by Jim McGregor was a much more diminutive product

[veteran vet]

Although the judges didn't like Jim McGregeors F pinardii they did like his
Fritillaria bucharica in Class 70
Another small class (73) pan from N. America usually is heaving with entries, I think there were only two and the second placed one was
Hymenoxis torreyana from Lionel Clarkson.
The one pan Papaveraceae was a large class (62) with many entries and
Anemone caucasica won for George Young and was judged best European plant....it was much commented on, I bought it some years ago from Edrom Nurseries, I hope they have plenty in stock as they might get a few requests
I move on to the Intermediate and Novice sections which I have to say were well supported and some quality plants were exhibited
Saxifraga georgei from Tony Stanley (96) is by no means easy to produce in such flower, nor is
Saxifraga oppositifolia 'Icelandic Form' (96) Brian Sulman

[veteran vet]

To continue on with the 'B' and 'C' sections
Dionysia 'Orion' (111) Tony Stanley
Saxifraga 'Red Poll' (116) Norma Pagdin...again you used to see a lot of this, not so much now though I did see that Tim Lever had it for sale and
Saxifraga alpigena (116) Colin and Kathleen Billington is seldom seen now, sorry its not the best of pictures
A vwery fine
Cyclamen alpinum (132) from Robert Worsely was carted outside to be photographed by the official  team and you can see why

[veteran vet]

Last few thank goodness, time an old man went to bed. In no particular order as got missed in my run through
Pulsatilla vernails (123) in the seed raised class from Tony Taziker...must have had it on steroids as sown in 2009, mine take forever from seed
Soldanella capatica (30) from Cecilia Coller
and finally
Fritillaria carica from who else but Don Peace
Picture puzzle Who is this hands in front of eyes pictured after I heard him say 'look out David Baileys about'...being him he couldn't keep his face covered as he wanted to see the plants so 'lurkio' caught him them
Answer: Brian Burrow accompanied by his 'heavy Alan Spenceley (and in the background you can see Martin R still looking at a class after judging where he got blue instead of red and muttering 'can't believe it'!!!)

[frits.kp]

Thought I would add three Correa shrubs which took my eye at the show. I suppose they are not alpine and need a little warmth but anyway,

[frits.kp]

Ophrys reinholdii is one orchid I would live to grow

[Yann]

thanks for the stunning shots and report

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Fantastic report Mr veterinary ! 

[Maggi Young]

No photos here from Dublin show but there were an lot of Scottish Rock members having a tremendous success that day , starting with  SRGC Hon. Vice President Harold McBride winning the Farrer medal with Soldanella carpatica x pusilla
This weekend Harold and his wife Gwen have got further cause for celebration as they gather with  their family to mark their Golden Wedding Anniversary 

There were many other members well known to us here who clearly had a grand day with great plants - well done to them all!

See the full results and official photos at 
http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/shows/results/shows2013/shows/dublin/photogallery.html