Blackpool Show 13th March 2010

[Diane Clement]

One to set the Galanthonuts hearts beating
Galanthus 'David Shackleton' shown by Mike and Christine Brown

[Diane Clement]

The benches were a bit lighter than usual, due to the unusually cold winter and still cold weather into March, but it meant there were lots of crocuses still to be seen.  

There was some discussion about the differences between Cc vernus, heuffelianus and scepusiensis and a comparison between the forms exhibited.  Here they are for comparision:
Crocus vernus shown by Jean Wylie
Crocus heuffelianus 'Brian Duncan' shown by George Young
Crocus scepusiensis (my system failed me here, and I didn't get the exhibitor's name - possibly Ian Leslie - can anyone confirm or not?)

[Diane Clement]

Well done to our Scottish friends for making the long journey south to support the show - Henry and Margaret, Jean and Glassford, Ian and Carole, Sandy, and the Glasgow contingency - Sam, John and Bill, and maybe some others I don't know.

Here's Gymnospermium albertii - a magnificent pot shown by John Lee - not so easy to photograph, so here's a close up    

[Diane Clement]

I don't know how many plants Jean brought - but it was a lot    

Here's a small representation of Jean Wylie's exhibits:
Crocus corsicus
and the fabulous pot of Narcissus Betty Mae - cyclamineus x asturiensis hybrid winning a certificate of Merit.  

[Maggi Young]

Cyclamen alpinum shown by Dave Riley
Colchicum luteum x kesselringii 'Jeanne' shown by Robin Pickering
Anemone biflora grown from seed and shown by Ivor Betteridge

What a super variety in plants in just these three beauties.... thanks, Diane.

[Diane Clement]

John Richards won an AGS medal for the large 6 pan class
included in the entry were
Primula moupinensis
Primula nana
Primula 'Arduaine'
Saxifraga 'Louis Armstrong'

[Maggi Young]

'Betty Mae' is looking fantastic!  Isn't she just a sweetie? I hope her New Zealand "family" see these pix and are as pleased with her as Jean is!


I think I spotted that Gymnosperium in the bench view.... a really good potful.... thanks for the close up. I must tease John about such a good plant from him that is NOT an Iris !!

[Diane Clement]

There were several hepaticas on the bench, but the one that caught the eye was this unnamed Hepatica japonica with silver edges to the petals shown by Shelagh Smethurst
The plant was part of a 3 pan, also with the second picture of a white Hepatica japonica

[Ragged Robin]

Diane thanks for your view of the Blackpool Show with great photos and notes - good to see the whole bench of plants as well as the individual exhibits.  The crocuses are really lovely and, as you say, well represented in their peak because of the cold weather.

Many congratulations to Jean on her stunning:

Crocus corsicus
and the fabulous pot of Narcissus Betty Mae - cyclamineus x asturiensis hybrid winning a certificate of Merit.

 

[Diane Clement]

The small 3 pan bulb class was won by Ivor Betteridge,
second place is the one I am not sure, with the Crocus scepusiensis in the centre - possibly shown by Ian Leslie

Yes, Maggi, the Gymnospermium can also be seen at the back of the second photo

[Diane Clement]

A huge potful of Iris winogradowii shown by George Young
and a couple of wonderful primulas shown by Don Peace
Primula 'Tantallon'
and Primula nana alba a personal favourite that I struggle with as it fizzles out after a couple of years with me

[Diane Clement]

That's all I've got, perhaps the Veteran vet and others have some more pictures. 

[David Nicholson]

Thanks Cliff and Diane for bringing the Show to us. What a gorgeous pot of Iris winogradowii and had I been judging a Farrer would have gone back home with George. How long has it taken to work your pot up that standard George.

[veteran vet]

As you say Diane, others do have more pictures. There will be some repetition but good plants can bear looking at from different angles so
Iris rosenbachiana 'Harangon' Peter Bland
Androsace ochotensis Geoff Rollinson
Anemone biflora Ivor Betteridge
Callianthmeum kernerianum Lionel Clarkson
Cochicum szovitsii Diane Clement....nice and short in stem this

[veteran vet]

Corydalis popovii Ian Leslie...I always find this difficult to do justice to in the show hall buit it gives a good idea
Corydalis schanginii Kather Rimmer...same goes for this plant, shown in the same class as C popovii
Crocus angustifolius Ben Nottingham
Crocus heuffelianus 'Brian Duncan'...I think this came from Ruksans years ago, not sure who Brian Duncan is but is a nice plant
Crocus tomasinianus 'Ruby Giant' Frank Dobson