Harrogate 2011

[FrazerHenderson]

The Centenary Harrogate Spring flower show was held 14-17 April. There were a few changes from previous years - more show gardens, more sundries, no alpine show (due to the International gathering) and a smaller daffodil show (due to the national show being held in Warwick on the weekend of 16/17). Nonetheless it was a great show and the weather was exceptionally kind (20C).

A few random shots to give you a flavour of the show gardens (not Chelsea, but well within budgets) and the welcoming New Orleans jazz band.

[FrazerHenderson]

.and from the daffodil show...

[FrazerHenderson]

.and the auriculas...

[FrazerHenderson]

..and other primulas..

[FrazerHenderson]

...and odds and sods...

[FrazerHenderson]

..and from floristry of which there were hundreds of exhibits a very, very small selection...

[FrazerHenderson]

...and finally some books worth leafing through.

[David Shaw]

Thanks for the pictures, Fraser. I have heard from other sources that it was a wonderful show, well worth a visit. I am impressed by the trough of Primula scotica, do you remember who grew and exhibited it?

[Giles]

..and thanks from me too 

[FrazerHenderson]

David

It is a great show because it has something for everyone. I really like the specialist club stands - dahlias, primulas, auriculas, delphiniums, hostas, tulips, daffs, carnations, cacti, bonsai, etc - where you can easily lose an hour or two in conversations. (We went for 2 days). When the plants get too much one can sit and enjoy various silver and brass bands (or jazz groups) which play all day, or graze the freebies in the numerous food arenas promoting Yorkshire and northern foods, or release cash at the sundries, or inspect the antique tool stands, or.... The show is bigger and better than Edinburgh but couthier (and better for it) than Tatton. If you are able next year then pop down. Good, reasonably, priced accommodation is also available in Wetherby (check out for instance the 100% rating of the new Days Inn). Harrogate tends to get fully booked up year's in advance.

Primula scotica was shown by Slack Top Plants. Their stand was very good as was Edrom's, who received a special award (though not Best in Show which went to Fernatix).

Frazer

[Brian Ellis]

Thanks for showing us the show Frazer, we hope to get to the Autumn Show this year.

[Lesley Cox]

Quite like those leafy thing. Not shure what they are though.

[mark smyth]

I'm planning to go next year. A trip with Ulsterbus all in is only £215 and that includes extra private and public garden

[Houseslippers]

I was there also & I agree, Frazer, a great show. I found it a treasure trove for the generalist such as myself, with a great many specialist nurseries selling some good stuff (although the choicer ferns still seem notable by their absence hurrumph). Of all the shows of this sort I've been to recently it was the best (including Chelsea & Hampton Court). Everybody else seemed to be an enthusiast as well, but maybe that was because I was in a daze after buying Cypripedium formosanum from Edrom. I took a few pics of their stand which was the best of the nursery displays I thought:

[Rob Potterton]

Hello
Time restraints and server problems have prevented the posting of the following images of nursery stands at the Harrogate Flower show this year.