Last weekend saw the staging of the alpine garden society southern Group's annual show. This is one of the most enjoyable outings of the year and a chance to meet old friends and discuss what is new and old in the alpine plant range. As usual it was a 5-30am start for the 140-mile journey. The car was packed with plants, after days of scrubbing pots, writing labels, nursing and sometimes coaxing plants into the pristine condition that is required for the show bench. When I arrived just after 9am the hall was already bussing with activity never mind the excitement as plants were inspected for any blemishes that might have occurred when transporting them to the venue. After having a quick look round the benches of plants already on display, I was not so sure that I should stage my plants at all. What looked magnificent at home was now beginning to look insignificant beside the opposition, but with a little encouragement from the show secretary I managed to stage them all on time, except for one Aciphylla for which I could not find a class.
A nice cup of tea and some home made scones provided by the catering staff for the day, was most welcome and gave me a little time to relax before the judges began their careful inspection of every plant.
After the tea it was time for a quick look round the various nursery stalls that are part and parcel of every alpine show. Having promised myself that I would take it easy as far as buying alpine plants was concerned because space was getting tight at home didn't hold much sway. But then promises are made to be broken, aren't they! The first visit to Timpany Nurseries stall produced Lewesia cotyledon white splendour, Lewesia tweedii white (yes-another one) Lithodora diffusa compacta, Cassiope medusa, C. badenoch, and C.Tetragona, as wall as Anemone numerosaand two primulas, Warfedale gem and Warfedale village.
Carol Dacus Plants owned the next stall. This visit procuredErigeron Simplex, Oxalis Hirta Gothengurg, Daphne Colliuna, Daphne Carol Mackie (I lost my other plant last September) Borago Pygmaea, and Digitalis Ferruginea.
The next stall was HCA Alpines and they also had some nice plants, Polygala chamaebuxus rhodoptera, Iris setosa, Salix ovata, Campanula alpina, and Ramanoffia unalaschjkensis were added to the list. Well it was only a promise to myself. There is no harm done, what are a few plants among friends.
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