SRGC Late "bulb" event: "A Celebration of Cyclamen" 24th & 25th September

[Matt T]

Holehird Gardens was lovely - full of colour, immaculately maintained, well labelled, a diverse array of interesting plants showing the hand of some skilled and knowledgeable gardeners, no less that 4 National Collections of Astilbe, Daboecia, Meconopsis and Polystichum and lots of unusual plants to satisfy anyone, no matter what their gardening style and tastes. All this on volunteer effort and entry by donation only. DO VISIT!

I took lots of photos within the colourful walled garden, which you can see in Bob's photos below.

Haberlea spp/cvs on a slate retaining wall in the walled garden.
An Erodium in the rock garden (unlabelled, a rare occurrence)
Folks viewing the alpine house, including Scottish Rockers Maureen, Anne and Sandy.
The incredible tufa house!
A bed planted up with New Zealand alpine species.

[Matt T]

A Davidia involucrata that was in decline and has been pruned to rejuvenate it. Apparently this tree is 100+ years old and the procedure has been done before.
Part of the Polystichum collection.
Part of the Meconopsis collection.
Fours beds were planted up with Gentiana cultivars that will be the subject of a RHS trial starting next year.
Clerodendron bungei

[Matt T]

I believe it was some time in the planning, but from my perspective the weekend was a great success. Penrith was a convenient location with good public transport links (my journey was just 4 hours door-to-door), as easy access from the M6 as well as lots of options for accommodation and eating.

The range of speakers and subjects was interesting and informative with spring and autumn travelogues, cultivation advice from both sides of the border, detail from expeditions and a review of artistic representations of Cyclamen over the last 1,500 years.

Above all, it was great to meet up with friends old and new and those who had only been 'met' through the Forum.

Well done and thanks to Sandy, Vic and their teams.

[Maggi Young]

That sport is something "other" - such fun to see this sort of thing.

[Yann]

Small question for some time i wonder if some people filmed lectures. That would be super interesting, especially for those who live far away, to post them on youtube or other platform. Now with a smartphone placed on a small tripod it can easily be done.

[Michael J Campbell]

I suggested that a few years ago, they won't do it.

[Maggi Young]

I suggested that a few years ago, they won't do it.

SRGC are always hopeful of getting permission to do it, Michael - and to have a  volunteer with the equipment etc !

[Yann]

I understand 

[Brian Ellis]

Many thanks to Bob, Matt (and of course Maggi) for enabling us to get a flavour of what we missed.  The show tables looked fantastic

[Graeme]

Many thanks to Bob, Matt (and of course Maggi) for enabling us to get a flavour of what we missed.  The show tables looked fantastic

Second that - some fantastic plants on show

[Gabriela]

Wow - thank you all for showing pictures from this event. Cyclamens and the Holehird Gardens - all marvelous.
And Matt - a special thanks for the tufa house picture - love it!

[Maggi Young]

 Report from Sandy Leven on the "Cyclamen Weekend"  - click HERE to download  - so many great cyclamen on show, quite apart from any of the other treats!     

[ChrisB]

I think that erodium may be Stephanie, Matt