Chesterfield AGS show 09-04-2016

[veteran vet]

John Richards always brings a nice range of exhibits and here are a few of this years contributions to Chesterfield
Primula warschenewskiana var rhodanthera (7)
Caltha himalaica, (17), sorry not the best of pictures, was much admired by those in the showing world
Dionysia gaubae (2) Don Peace
Saxifraga 'Lismore Carmine' (18) from Tony Stanley. He, for reasons best known to him exbited a very fine
Primula 'Wharfedale Village' in the foliage class when it would have done well in the Large Open primula classes

[Maggi Young]

Beinn Alligin is the western of the three great mountain masses crowding in on the northern side of Upper Loch Torridon and Glen Torridon, the other two being Liathach and Beinn Eighe.

[veteran vet]

It was really good the see Cecelia Coller once more (even those as an exhibitor you always hope she won't be showing plants on one of your classes) and she had a good day, some of her plants were
Rhododendron luteiflorum FW21556 (40) caught my eye as soon as I saw it on the bench, was the Best Pan Ericaceae
Soldanella alpine alba (6), was among the first Soldanella I have seen this year
Pleione formosana 'Snow Bunting' (20)
Iris babadagica (24)
A full show scene up the hall

[veteran vet]

After much 'yes I will' and the 'I can't raise the energy' earlier in the week I girded my loins and did the 300 mile round trip to Chesterfield with some positive results
Class 26, Three Rock Plamts Native to North America, which were Trillium rivale at the back and
Townsendia spathulata 'Cotton Balls', I was hoping another plant might be at the show to do some cross pollination but sadly no
Hymenoxis torreyana was in my three pan but Dave Riley had a better one in 73 so show his plant
Saxifraga desoulavyii (33) from Ian and Marie Leslie was the best European, again the picture could be better but nearly gets there

[veteran vet]

See I posted the last picture already, senile decay.
Thanks Maggi for the Ben Alligin info, I had intended to Google it later but you have saved me the trouble
Viola brevistipulate hidakana from Ian Kidman, I do not think my one will make a show this year now, however
Kalmiothamnus 'Haytor' did it this year for me, bought from Timpany Nursery a few years ago
I know Cliff has posted a picture of his very fine
Shortia uniflora (51) already but was such a good exhibit another picture can not be wrong. A few of us tried to plan how we could mug him after the show and snatch the plant but he was too quick for us oldies. He tied for First Place red sticker in class 51 with
Serapias neglecta from Barry Tattersal which was a good judging decision
Androsace muscoidea (58) did the job for me in this class, I had it under A. robusta robusta but a judge note told me it was not

[veteran vet]

Ivor Betteridge had an interesting
Fritillaria hermonis amana in a three pan (64) that he had had for many years, was in a very crowded pot but still a nice display. He had a collector number for the frit and he was wondering if in fact it could be what is called 'Goksan Gold' (or Goksun depending on how you are told) and he could be right, my plant of the Goksan Gold came from Ron Mcbeath quite a few years ago now just looks bigger but Ivor's plant may be a bit pot bound....anyone have an opinion?
Anisitome imbricate var imbricate (74) from Geoff Rollinson....it is in flower if you look close. He also had a small but nice
Primula allionii Coolock Snowball' in 51
Robert Rolfe making a point. He had a stressfull getting to the show by brail and taxi, how folk cope when they do not drive but exhibit plants is beyond me but he did bring
Saxifraga x dinninaris 'Ray Woodliffe', a fine exhibit

[Maggi Young]

The late Hans Hoeller was a very popular member of the SRGC who shared many of his plants and experiences in the SRGC forum- showing the range of plants he grew so well. I am proud to have a selection of his forms of Primula marginata in the garden to remind me of such a sadly missed friend so it was a pleasure to see Michael Myers show this photo in Facebook of the Primula  named for him.


Primula marginata 'Johannes Hoeller'

[Graeme]

makes me wonder what that sax coolock gem looks like without the flowers and if its growing out of a mound of rock?

[veteran vet]

Lawrence Peet had another good day, plans to have even more judging by the number of plants I saw him buying from the Plant Sales, if you don't buy them when you see them you might not get another chance plus if you don't grow them you can' show them. Two of his plants were
Primula 'Lindum Storm Cloud' (94) and
Androsace carnea x pyrenaica (113)
Foliage classes are always of interest to me and I particularly liked
Helichrysum italicum ssp seotinum (42) from Mavis and Sam Lloyd, as someone who has tried to show silvers over the years but currently with no suitable plant I did like this
On the other hand
Aloe jacunda x dawei x elgonica may not be to my taste but was still a red sticker job
Another show view, the lower schedule classes from Open Small down to Novice

[veteran vet]

Last few
Tommy Anderson has done the job this year with the Small Six classes and did so again yesterday in Class 49
Cypripedium formosanum from show sec. John Savage (66)
I close with another show view

[David Nicholson]

........Robert Rolfe making a point. He had a stressfull getting to the show by brail and taxi, ............

Now if only I could draw l could come up with a wonderful cartoon. Sorry George!

[johnw]

Someone preparing to genuflect before that wonderful luteiflorum?

johnw

[veteran vet]

David, sometimes a typographical error can actually give a hint that some show exhibitors feel that judges are 'blind', or at least see plants differently to mere ordinary mortals of the non judging fraternity....I am not suggesting this is the case with Robert but I am always amused by the comments from exhibitors when the show opens post judging when they quickly go round to see how they have done...one reason I no longer wear my judge badge!! when the show opens. Robert did have a bad trip to the show, also 'fell out' with the taxi driver, was rather hassled on his late arrival but soon the show plants took over and cheered him up.