AGS Loughborough Autumn show

The usual fine standard of Autumnal alpine splendour was maintained at Loughborough. Numbers of both exhibitor and exhibits were down somewhat due to clash with a conference north of the border (but there was still plenty to photograph).

The premier award went to Jim McGregor's lovely pan of Crocus kotschyanus - just look at the buds still to come!






This fine Cyclamen graecum ssp anatolicum was also in the hunt for awards - taking the Cyclamen salver.






A spectacular pan of Cyclamen graecum ssp candicum too....






I couldn't resist bring a few more species to your attention, Cyclamen species certainly dominated the show.

Cyclamen mirabile 'Tilebarn Nicholas'







Cyclamen intaminatum






Cyclamen cilicium






Cyclamen cilicium album (best plant in section C)







Cyclamen cyprium flowers normally open pure white - this small exhibit featured a lovely form with flowers opening flushed pink before fading to white (scented nicely too)






Cyclamen hederifolium 'Ruby Glow' - as deep a shade as they come.






A few more bulbs including the diminutive treasure, Cochicum cupanii...






Crocus niveus - seed raised from the Pelopponese






How about this spectacular large pan of Nerine gaboranensis (no, I hadn't heard of it either!) Certificate of merit worthy!!






A closer view at the blooms of Nerine filifolia.






There were of course some pretty fine non-bulbous exhibits including the ever popular genus Petrocosmea:

Pertrocosmea forrestii






Pertrocosmea minor






An Autumn show wouldn't be the same without Gentiana sino ornata






And the lovely red-purple tones of Gentiana scabra var buergeri...






Rapidly becoming an Autumn 'must have', the flowers Empodium flexile have delightful scent too (pineapples??)






A certificate of merit beckoned for this outstanding pan of Liriope muscari....







A closer look at some lovely bulbous plants....

Atop the 18" flowering stem, the flowers of Bessera elegans make an excellent subject.







A stalwart of the Autumn scene, Allium callimischon var haemostictum, small but beautifully marked flowers.






Allium thunbergii album - I just love the anthers....






Finally, a foliage selection:

Aruncus aethusifolius - judged the best plant for Autumn colour, fruit/seed etc...






Who needs flowers when Cyclamen hederifolium has foliage like this? (Apollo type)







A Mammilaria hybrid - always a source of discussion as an 'alpine' exhibit - no denying the quality of the foliage as a photographic subject though....