The acquisition of an established show winner does not necessarily guarantee further success but this mammoth dome of flowers testified to continued 'know how' when it comes to coaxing the best out of a P. allionii plant. Certainly at least as good as has been seen before.
A wonderful uniform exhibit with flowers nodding outwards in symmetric fashion. Show plants do not have to be unduly fussed over cultivated in pots and this exhibit spends much of it's life in the garden before being presented by Clare Oates.
A very impressive panful of this N. scaberulus x triandrus subsp. pallidulus hybrid. Multi flowered stems of clear yellow flowers on stems to approx 30cm.
Judged the best plant from the Americas, this 19cm panful was certainly one of the most admired and a testimony to years of patient increase (I can't imagine the cost of purchasing such a display!) .
A quietly attractive chance hybrid courtesy of a Teheran bee and careful establishment/introduction by Tony Hall? Note the odd behaviour (which is not typical) - the flower sporting four falls and standards.
Somewhat unjustly, juno Iris plants are deemed short lived in flower. Given cool conditions, they will last quite some time and this example, the 'Harangon' form was now in it's third week of bloom and still capable of picking up a Certificate of Merit.
Normally marked with maroon on the upper outer tepals, occasional seedlings have ben raised with the greenish ground colour only. Vegetative increase will slowly but surely build up a display such as this, deemed suitable for a Certificate of Merit for Bob & Rannveig Wallis.
The higher alpine Crocus species do not like to be dried out at any time and C. cvijicii from S Yugoslavia / N Greece is no exception. Deep orange yellow flowers are the reward for such diligence.
Show hall warmth can be the kiss of doom for some exhibits whilst bringing the best out of others. Tightly closed early on, the true beauty of the flowers of this C sieberi relative is revealed with the stimulus of warmth.
Now this is what I would call a misnamed surprise. Collected seed of P. bracteata by Vojtech Holubec has yielded a number of plants identified as P henricii - similar foliage but creany white flowers - delightful and a welcome addition to cultivation.
An influx of new species and colour forms of existing varieties has been steadily gaining pace recently. The pure white flowers of this species of good size over deep green foliage and seed has even been commercially offered - a must to grow.
Incredibly, I forgot to photograph this at South Wales show but luckily Paul & Gill Ranson and cool weather had conspired to manage a repeat performance - so here it is! Seedlings have been very variable with a range of flower sizes and this is by far the best form seen to date.
It's not very often that D. afghanica gets involved in the hybrid stakes but this little cushion barely 5cm across. Very attractive flowers and presumably of German origin with the ref no JM/MK 0130618.
I've admired P allionii 'Pinkie', it's sister seedling 'Perkie' and can now bring to your attention 'Porkie'. Clear pink pin eyed flowers with a white centre, a nice addition to any collection!
A second medal of the season for your enthusiast. Iris rosenbachiana in two colour forms, Galanthus 'Straffan', Corydalis solida 'Munich form' and paschei plus Cyclamen coum.
The busy March season continues with a show every week from now on. Watch this space for further reviews.........
