AGS Loughborough Show

The cold winter has ensured that plants normally in fine fettle at this time of the year were had even better coverage of flowers - some tricky decisions had to be made by the judges!!

Here's the best in show - a fantastic pan of Dionysia curviflora, grown by Nigel Fuller






Best pan of bulbous plants was Colchicum szovitsii, nice one Diane Clement!






Geoff Rollinson can do no wrong with Saxifraga 'Coolock Gem' - once again winning the Saxifraga group salver






In good company with Saxifraga lilacina grown by Mark Childerhouse, awarded a certificate of Merit






Corydalis is always a dominant genus at Loughborough and these two were my pick of the pots!

Corydalis ledebouriana.







Corydalis seisumsiana.






The later flowering Crocus were in fine form with this panful of Crocus dalamticus






A close up of the intricate markings on Crocus heufellianus 'Carpathian Wonder'






Dionysias by the dozen and the recipient of the 80th Anniversary award was Dionysia afghanica...






Dionysia bryoides earning a Certificate of Merit.....






A couple of classy Fritilaria exhibits, firstly Fritillaria alburyana.






and Fritillaria pinardii....






As the Snowdrops season draws to a close, a large pan of Galanthus virescens:






Claire Oates presented two exceptional exhibits, both being awarded a Certificate of Merit.

Hepatica japonica alba






Narcissus cyclamineus






Primula allionii 'Pinkie' is rarely seen so large and perfectly covered in flowers






Primula bhutanica...






Best plant from the Americas was Scoliopus bigelovii from Bob and Rannveig wallis






Striking foliage interest provided by Anisotome imbricata...






Finally, two striking examples of the in vogue genus - Ypsilandra!

Ypsilandra cavilierei






Ypsilandra thibetica






No stopping me this year, images from Blackpool will follow.....

AGS South Wales Show

Despite the long cold winter conditions holding many plants in check, no less than 200 plants found their way onto the benches at Caerleon, South Wales!

The premier award of a Farrer medal went to an amazing 30cm panful of Iris Kathryn Hodgkin, shown by Cyril Dart....






Eric Jarrett staged an awesome pan of Iris hyrcana, rewarded by a certificate of merit!






The show was very strong on bulbous entries as one would expect - how about this fine pan of Hyacinthoides aristides.....






or a close up of Hyacinthella glabrescens.






Late winter means Snowdrops and their were plenty on display. The Galanthus Goblet was awarded to a pristine pan of Galanthus 'Ketton'.






A close run thing with a fine pan of 'Galanthus Whittington'






The ever popular Galanthus Sophie North.






How about this wonderful seedling from Trym - Galanthus 'Corrin'.






Dionysia afghanica is one of the earliest flowering species and this 'old timer' was awared both a Certificate of Merit and award for the best exhibit in a 19cm pot.






Parent to some stunning hybrid creations, here is the lovely Dionysia 'Judith Bramley'






and Dionysia Zdenek Zvolanek






Daphne jezoensis flowers very early and Robin White was no doubt taking orders for youngsters??






A good showing of Cyclamen including Cyclamen libanoticum






A fantastic 30cm pan of Cyclamen coum






Plus a formidable Cyclamen alpinum!






The following images show the strength in depth of Crocus present, headed by the winner of the Crocus spoon - Crocus biflorus ssp nubigena.






Not every day you see Crocus cvijicii looking so good either!!






The gorgeous flowers of Crocus abantensis.






Crocus veluchensis






An unusual flower form of Crocus reticulatus.






Finally, a close of a wonderful Certificate of Merit worthy Australian orchid, Corybas diemenicus, shown by Richard Manuel.






That's all for now - I plan to bring you pictorial reports from quite a few shows this year - keep looking!!