AGS Rainham Autumn Show - Saturday 28th September

[Tim Ingram]

Taking inspiration from the 'fishbox' troughs described on this Forum, and from the very many fine trough plantings in the gardens visited in the Czech Republic, we are preparing a small display at the entrance to the Rainham Show, as a demonstration to those new to alpine gardening how these plants can be grown in the garden. Troughs give great scope for artistic expression as well as the ability to grow rare and special plants (such as this exquisite Veronica bombycina in the garden of Vladimir Staněk). Hope to see you there. Find us at Copton Ash Gardens.

[Maggi Young]

It has been our experience that the public are always fascinated by these troughs, Tim - I'll bet your display goes down a trat.

You are welcome to print copies of Ian's article to distribute, if you like :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/feature/fishbox/troughs.html

[Tim Ingram]

A few notable images from the Rainham Show, which show what an enjoyable event it is; something like 100 members of the public attended - good but it would be really nice to see more. The small trough display at the entrance generated just the response that Maggi mentions, and the AGS leaflets on growing alpines were picked up by many visitors (and I think by AGS members too), which shows the value of introducing the Show to visitors in this way - demonstrations of trough making/planting would be even better, and this is something we may consider doing at the nursery because of the difficulty of transporting heavy troughs and materials to the Show.

One of the Classes in the Show is directed at more novel ways of presenting plants and the pot of sempervivums (broken at an angle and superbly planted by Michael Sullivan) appealed greatly. The Show always has a wonderful variety of cyclamen and the form of C. graecum from Kent's own Pauline O'Leary was very striking. Eucomis 'Baby Opal' (from Anne Vale) was new to me, and an example of a number of recent introductions of miniature hybrid eucomis, very attractive for the alpine gardener. Finally in just this short overview a quite exquisite floral arrangement from Lee and Julie Martin, which combines autumn alpines uniquely and beautifully.

[Maggi Young]

pot of sempervivums (broken at an angle and superbly planted by Michael Sullivan)

Quite superb!

And the other exhibits Tim pictured are just as lovely -  must have been a fun show.

[Maggi Young]

Some photos from the show from Alan Newton..........

Diplodium coccinea  (sic  - as labelled) - the Farrer Medal plant - it was shown by Tony Jenkins, one of the Kent show gang- it is his first Farrer - how exciting for him! Well done!

Diplodium coccinea (sic -  as labelled) - close up - this plant used to be known as Pterostylis coccina and D. concinnum  is now given by the Kew Plant List as a synonym.  So it seems labels will need to be changed yet again!
Sternbergia sicula
Cyclamen graecum subsp. candicum
Cyclamen graecum subsp. anatolicum

[Maggi Young]

Cyclamen hederifolium
3pans cyclamen from Bob and Rannveig Wallis
Cyclamen graecum
Gentiana sino-ornata hybrid
Sternbergia

[Maggi Young]

Sternbergia sicula
Colchicum
Gaultheria ( Pernettya)
Cyclamen mirabile, from Don Peace
Cyclamen hederifolium

[Maggi Young]

Oxalis lobata from Cecilia Coller
Oxalis massoniana from Keith Lever
Super six pan class with  multi-awards
Arum pictum
Scilla lingulata var. cilioata

[Maggi Young]

three pans of Petrocosmea - front to back Pp. sericiea , cryptica and minor   
 then
Petrocosmea flaccida  - these four petrocosmea are from Alan Newton - he has a bit of a passion for these Gesneriads.
Gaultheria crassa 'John Saxton'
Berberis thunbergii 'Tiny Gold'
Cyclamen graecum

[Maggi Young]

still a few to come....
..another Cyclamen graecum - I think this is the one from Pauline O'Leary that Tim showed us earlier...
another Diplodium coccineum
one of Cecilia Coller's fruitful entries - not sure what it is  a Myrteola ?  ( a white form of M. nummularia??)
edit : Alan tells me it is M. nummularia

[Maggi Young]

finally some views across the hall...
in the last you can see some of the wide range of artistic/photographic entries

Note for new viewers : click on the thumbnail sized photos to enlarge them......

[Yann]

A shame i couldn't get there

[Roma]

Some wonderful plants there.  The sight of those so floriferous Cyclamen make me want to give up

[Luc Gilgemyn]

They were wonderful, Roma !  There are some real champions growing Cyclamen   

A shame i couldn't get there

We missed you Yann !! 

This time no pictures from me alas !  Thanks to Alan for taking some !  He had some smashing plants on the show as well - congratulations !

[Yann]

A small surgery on a foot doesn't allow me to drive more than an hour
Gonna make better for the spring show!