Someone likened this to an ice cream cone and another Farrer medal for John Forrest. A 12" pan, testimony to many years of increase and the obligatory covering of flowers making it impossible to see the foliage
The smallest form of this prostrate species and judged the best shrub on the day. Ian and Maria Leslie continue to show the wealth of 'cool growers' which do well at their North Wales home.
A seed raised pan of the clone Martha Roderick, each flowering bulb slightly different. Seen in close up, the intricately marked tepals have a characteristic central greenish band. This North American species is easily raised form seed and in a well drained spot may even be OK outside.
Another North American species with an exceptional display of wax polished flowers, I counted eight on a single stem! Despite, the outward similarity, not so easy to please and requires a dry summer rest.
A diminutive species from N Greece, closely related to F. graeca The narrow twisted leaves and brown purple flowers are quite distinctive. Scarce in cultivation but well worth seeking out.
I still think 'Celsia acaulis' but names move on...From the mountains of S Greece and usually at high altitude, it is best given alpine house treatment. Mid spring flowering with numerous lemon yellow flowers opening from red buds. The orange anthers are particularly attractive.
With it's stocky habit and grey woolly foliage, this is a lovley miniature for pot work. Bright yellow flowers of good size and plenty of them in dense racemes. A crevice dweller from Turkey.
Easy garden subjects can make nice exhibits and this member of Primulaceae was looking pretty good. Variable and many forms or varities are available but the white form takes some beating
Another exhibit, normally more at home in the garden than a pot but just look at the perfection here. Obviously variable as all the plants I've grown have been taller and looser - a good form compact form of any alpine will attract admiration on the showbench!
A fairly new introduction from Ala Dag, Turkey. Unlike other Alyssums, this is very compact and will take some time to fill a 19cm pan. The flowers individually small make up for this by their sheer quantity.
I don't normally feature the same plant twice on these pages but for one of my favourites, exceptions can be made. Enjoy!
How about this for a beauty. Not to everyone's taste maybe but for sheer flower power Gladiolus species are top notch. Foot high stems make this a reasonable proposition in a pot given winter protection.
South African plants are frequenly quick to flower from seed. This species, once there, is rarely out of flower! I've posted a picture of this at an autumn show which gives an idea of it's usefulness. Best in the alpine house however.
A popular hybrid (R campylogynum x racemosum 'White Lace'). This is compact with glossy foliage and perfect small white bells.
A delightful curiosity, the 'mouse plant'is an easy mat forming plant for the garden. The spathes resemble the rear of a mouse, complete with tail disappearing inside.
Cecilia Coller cornered the six pan market clinching large and small pan classes. The small class seen here comprised: Verbascum purpurea, Iris paradoxa var paradoxa, Verbascum dumulosum, Lamium armenum, Androsace studiosorum Doksa and Dionysia involucrata alba.
