AGS Loughborough Autumn Show 2024

Autumn is coming

On Monday last week, we were in Greece, enjoying the sunshine, warm waters and wonderful food, but also the Cyclamen hederifolium and autumn bulbs just starting to appear.

We returned to a very soggy garden.  Many of my pans of Massonia, Polyxena (now Lachenalia) and other South African plants were out on a picnic table in the garden, so the leaves would open as flat as possible.  Fortunately, they can cope with a lot of water once they have come into growth.  Before we left for the Loughborough Show on Friday morning I had to cover them against the threat of frosts on Friday and Saturday night.

Loughborough Show

When we walked into the show we were greeted by old friends and massed Cyclamen.  A quick scurmish around the Nursery Stalls yielded far more purchases than I intended.  By then judging had started, and it was time to get to work.

Cyclamen hederifolium

The first plant I selected to photograph was this Cyclamen from the Novice section, exhibited by Christine Jarvis.  The strong red suggests that it derives from plants in Corfu, where the cultivar ‘Corfu Red’ was collected.

Cyclamen

Whilst I was getting set up to take these studio shots, the judges called me over to take a photo for them.  On a bench by the window, they had collected five wonderful pans of Cyclamen, contenders for the award for the best Cyclamen.  All five were exhibited by Ian Robertson.

Iris camillae

It was straightforward to take photos of the Artistic Classes whilst judging continued.  Rannveig Wallis won the Thorpe Acre Trophy for the Artistic Open Section aggregate.  Her paintings included the beautiful Iris camillae.

Anemone tschernjaewii

Rannveig also entered three paintings of alpine plants in habitat.  The judges had reservations about the first two paintings (Roscoea humeana and Fritillaria stenanthera), but selected the Anemone as the best painting, drawing or needlework, and winner of the Art & Craft Trophy.

Fritillaria meleagris

In the Intermediate Artistic section, Sandra Clements entered a most striking design based on Fritillaria meleagris.

Cyclamen persicum

There was only one exhibitor in the Novice section, and judging had finished quickly, so I could photograph the best of the entries.  I particularly like the leaves of this Cyclamen persicum from Christine Jarvis.  Of course, with no competition, Christine took home the Wirral Trophy for the Novice section aggregate.

Sternbergia sicula ‘Dodona Gold’

Christine also won the Crosshall Goblet for the best plant in the Novice section, with this attractive clone of Sternbergia sicula.

Intermediate section Three-pan Classes

The Intermediate section was more fiercely contested.  Towards the end of the day, I walked round and photographed all the three-pan classes, so here are:

• Three pans of bulbous plants exhibited by Michael Wilson
• Three pans for foliage effect from David Harris
• Narrowly pipped by this entry from Michael Wilson
• Three pans of rock plants from a single genus (three entries)
• Three pans of rock plants from a single genus from Anita and Mike Acton (3rd)
• Three pans of rock plants from a single genus from David Harris (2nd)
• Three pans of rock plants from a single genus from Michael Wilson (1st)
• Three pans of rock plants (small) from David Harris

In the end, the Marjorie Duffield Cup for the section aggregate went to Michael Wilson.

Allium callimischon subsp callimischon

The Minera Trophy for the best pan of bulbs in the Novice or Intermediate section also went to Michael Wilson, for this well-flowered pan of Allium callimischon subsp callimischon. If you get close enough, the individual flowers are beautiful.

Colchicum speciosum ‘Album’

One of the plants I particularly wanted to photograph was this Colchicum from Michael Wilson.  I love the way the white goblets light up when lit from behind.

Aruncus aesthusifolius

There was some compensation for David Harris.  His Aruncus won the Leicester Group Trophy for the best pan in cone, seed, fruit, or autumn coloured foliage in the whole show.

Small Pan Open section classes

Moving on to the three pan 19cm classes in the Open section, here are:

• Three pans of bulbous plants exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis
• Four entries in the class for three pans of cushion plants (distinct genera)
• Winning entry in that class from Mark Childerhouse
• Paul and Gill Ranson were runners-up
• Five entries for three small pans of Cyclamen
• Three pans of hardy ferns from Don Peace
• Three pans of rock plants from distinct genera from Alan Newton (winner)
• Three pans of rock plants from distinct genera from Bob Worsley
• Three pans of rock plants with silver foliage
• The winning entry in that class from Paul and Gill Ranson
• Three pans of rock plants grown from seed by Bob Worsley
• Three pans rock plants (all requiring the same cultural conditions), with educational information about ‘How and Where to Grow’ – Bob & Rannveig Wallis (third)
• As above – Paul and Gill Ranson (second)
• Lastly – Dave Mountfort and Mark Childerhouse (equal first)

Six small pans of Rock Plants

The AGS Medal for the small six-pan class went to Bob and Rannveig Wallis.  With their other entries, this helped them towards the Derby Group Trophy for the Open section aggregate.

Miniature Garden

There was only one miniature garden, from Georgina Instone.

Large Pan Open section classes

Now the large pan classes in the Open section.  Here are:

• Three pans of bulbous plants from Bob and Rannveig Wallis
• Three pans of Crassulaceae from Chris Bowyer
• Three pans of Crassulaceae from Chris Lilley (the winner)
• Five entries in the class for three large pans of cushion plants from:
  • Chris Bowyer
  • Ian Instone
  • Mark Childerhouse (third)
  • John Dixon (second)
  • Paul and Gill Ranson (first)
• Three pans of dwarf shrubs from John Savage
• Three pans of hardy ferns from Don Peace
• Three pans for foliage effect from Bob Worsley
• Three pans in cone, seed or autumn foliage from Alan Newton
• Three pans from one continent from Bob and Rannveig Wallis
• Three pans of Cyclamen from Ian Robertson
• Three pans of rock plants from distinct genera from Bob and Rannveig Wallis

Crocus kotschyanus

There were only a few, small pots of Crocus at the show.  This one was from Jim McGregor.  Hopefully there will be more as the season progresses.

Crocus goulimyi

A nice fresh exhibit from Alan Newton.

Colchicum autumnale var album

I spent all day intending, and forgetting, to photograph this pan from Ian Instone.  So here is a picture taken late on when I was touring the benches.

Colchicum boissieri

Bob and Rannveig Wallis had two small pans of the exquisite Colchicum boissieri.

Allium thunbergii

For me this is one of the signature plants of the autumn shows, here exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis.

Galanthus peshmenii

There was just one pan of autumn snowdrops, from Ian Robertson.  I hope I’ll see more at the Harlow Carr show in two weeks time.

Habranthus martinezii

I was pleased to photograph this Argentinian bulb exhibited by Neil Hubbard.  Something I once grew well, but now struggle with.  Again, I had a chance to experiment with backlighting.

Sternbergia greuteriana

Ian Robertson has exhibited this big pan of the diminutive Sternbergia greuteriana for several years; I always love it, though it doesn’t always find favour with the judges.

Empodium elongatum

Bob and Rannveig Wallis received a Certificate of Merit for an excellent large pan of Empodium elongatum (formerly E. flexile) from South Africa.

This is something I once had a wonderful pan of, but almost lost in the winter of 2008.  Since then, I have acquired a few bulbs here and there, but have struggled to get the plant to thrive.  So I was delighted to be able to stage a small but healthy pot, which is finally growing well and bulking up.  The scent of even this little pot has been filling the greenhouse.

Empodium flexile

Bob and Rannveig Wallis also showed a good pan of the smaller species which we used to call E. plicatum, but which should correctly be called Empodium flexile.  Of course, in photos, the two will look the same size.

Gladiolus stefaniae x carmineus

Peter Farkasch showed this attractive Gladiolus under the label Gladiolus stefaniae, but the other South African bulb growers concluded that it was probably the hybrid Gladiolus stefaniae x carmineus, raised originally by George Elder.

Nerine filamentosa

George Elder exhibited a fabulous pot of Nerine filamentosa.  I always struggle with these summer-growing Nerine species.

Oxalis purpurea

George also showed a fine pan of the yellow form of Oxalis purpurea.

This also appeared elsewhere on the benches, exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis, under the synonym Oxalis speciosa.

Petrocosmea longianthera – thermopunctata complex

Dave Mountfort exhibited a number of Petrocosmea, of which this was probably the best.

Myriopteris yatskievychiana

Earlier in the year, I admired the new fronds of this little fern from Don Peace.  Here it is looking more mature.

Pyrrosia hastata

I also admired the ‘antlers’ on this specimen, again from Don Peace.  The plant has filled out a lot since I last photographed it.

Coprosma petriei

We see a number of different shrubs exhibited for autumn berries.  This little Coprosma from New Zealand, exhibited by Ian Instone, is always one of the most intriguing, with its translucent striped berries.

Larix kaempferi ‘Nana’

Bob Worsley’s big larch is now attaining a most dramatic, architectural shape.

Androsace villosa GFS 73

Finally, at the Harlow Carr show last autumn I first photographed this cushion of Androsace villosa, exhibited by John Dixon.  At the Midland show this spring it won the Farrer.  Here it is again, two to three inches wider in diameter than last year, and even more impressive.  The last photo is from Harlow Carr last year, to show the growth (it is in the same pot).

Cyclamen mirabile

Finally we turn to Cyclamen.  Bob Worsley showed a nice small plant of Cyclamen mirabile.

Cyclamen mirabile ‘Tilebarn Nicholas’

In the large pan classes, Ian Robertson showed this specimen of Cyclamen mirabile ‘Tilebarn Nicholas’.  This is one of the five plants which went up for the Best Cyclamen award.

Three Small pans of Cyclamen – David Charlton

In the small pan class for three Cyclamen, David Charlton showed a fine grouping of:

• Cyclamen intaminatum
• Cyclamen graecum
• Cyclamen maritimum.

Three Small pans of Cyclamen – Bob and Rannveig Wallis

David’s entry was narrowly pipped by Bob and Rannveig Wallis.  Their entry included:

• Cyclamen graecum subsp candicum
• A fabulous specimen of Cyclamen africanum

Cyclamen hederifolium

Ian Robertson had a very dark purple plant of Cyclamen hederifolium, which glowed when backlit.

Cyclamen maritimum ‘Monte Smith form’

This plant from Bob and Rannveig Wallis is an old friend, which I have photographed many times.

Cyclamen intaminatum

Ian Robertson exhibited this fine plant of the miniature Cyclamen intaminatum, another one which made the shortlist for Best Cyclamen.

Cyclamen africanum

Ian’s plant of Cyclamen africanum, with these wonderful fluted petals received a Certificate of Merit.  This was also in the mix for Best Cyclamen.

Cyclamen maritimum

Another old familiar, Ian’s huge Cyclamen maritimum has won the Farrer medal several times before, but this year, although it was considered, it was deemed to have a few gaps, and had to be content with a Certificate of Merit.

Cyclamen maritimum

Instead, this smaller but beautifully flowered specimen won for Ian Robertson the Nottingham Trophy for the Best Cyclamen, the Ione Hecker Trophy for the best pan of Primulaceae, and the Farrer Medal for the best plant in the show.

Sternbergia lutea ‘Pamukkale’

When I had finished taking formal portraits of plants, I walked around the hall, taking the shots of the three-pan exhibits posted above.  The afternoon sunshine was flooding in through the windows, and I couldn’t resist taking a few shots of plants backlit by the sun.  Here are:

• Ian Robertson’s big pan of Cyclamen maritimum
• A good plant of Cyclamen graecum from David Charlton
• Sternbergia lutea ‘Pamukkale’ exhibited by Don Peace.

That’s about it.  Thanks to all the people who helped with the show, cups of tea and wonderful food.  The nurseries brought far too many plants I couldn’t resist, and the exhibitors made a fantastic display in the hall, ably marshalled by the judges and stewards.  Particular thanks to Martin Rogerson, who managed to fit the job as show secretary in with all his other duties.

I won’t be at Hexham tomorrow – it is simply too far, but I am hoping to make it to Harlow Carr next weekend.