The Dundee Flower and Food Festival, the 3rd largest flower show in Scotland (after Gardening Scotland and the Ayr Flower Show) is held annually over the first weekend in September. It's a traditional show with an extensive range of classes across the broadest spectrum of the plant kingdom, as well as numerous stands. There were exhibits and stands celebrating cacti, succulents, delphiniums, alpines, chrysanths, dahlias, vegetables of all shapes and sizes, fuschias, orchids, British wild plants etc as well as pollinators (bees). I'm always amazed at the number of specialist societies in Britain we must be either the most clubbable or the most insular race! I've placed some shots below primarily for our overseas members since such shows don't tend to feature, to the same extent, in their countries.
On the professional stands it was good to see a couple of nurseries that were new to me. Harperly Hall Farm Nurseries had a good selection of summer flowering alpines and small bulbs and were awarded a Gold Medal. It was great to see a new nursery, something of a rarity these days. Andrew Morrison of Dundee has recently launched Garden Gate Plants specialising in sedums and sempervivums and appeared to be doing a roaring trade (which wasn't surprising since his prices were mainly £1-£1.50, a real bargain!).
In addition to trade stands, floristry marquees and plant clinics a number of open lectures are provided. This year the guest lecturer was Chris Beardshaw (formerly of BBC Gradeners' World and now a noted garden designer as well as being a horticultural lecturer at Pershore college). His lecture was in the best Reithian tradition: informative, educational and entertaining.
The show is worth visiting next year especially since at the adjoining Food Festival one can graze on taste samples all day long! Plants and food perhaps the best combination!!
