Walking into the hall, it was clear spring had finally arrived as I was presented with a magnificent mind blowing vista of beautiful Primula, Narcissus, orchids, Fritillaria, Corydalis and tulips. I could go on for ever – there were 436 plants brought by 45 exhibitors. Here are some of my favourites.

A very intriguing and fascinating hardy fern Pyrrosia hastata in class 42 was exhibited by Don Peace. Another intriguing plant, Asarum maximum from China, scary to look at, was shown by Ian Instone.

A most beautiful coloured Hepatica japonica ‘Gyousei’ from Chris Lilley.

The best pan of bulbous plants was won by Jim McGregor with Tulipa cretica, which he tells me is 20 years old.

The Primula as usual were great, especially Primula ‘Lepus’ from Don Peace and Primula allionii ‘Chivalry’ from Geoff Rollinson, both trophy winners. Primula x gothoburgensis, a baby, was sown in January 2023 and exhibited by Alex O’Sullivan. Finally, there were two plants of P. ‘Broadwell Milkmaid’ in the Novice Section from Ezio Visona and Graham Henderson.

Moving on there were also nice plants of Corydalis ‘Beth Evans’ from Edward Barraclough and a Corydalis solida from Don Peace.

A good exhibit of Crocus vernus from Vic and Janet Aspland earned them a Certificate of Merit.

Congratulations to Sue Bedwell for her great contribution to the Intermediate Section and winning the Outwood Trophy for most first prize points.

There were only 13 plants in the Novice Section including several Primula, a nice Scilla melaina and a Cyclamen libanoticum. Christine Jarvis won the Beacon Trophy for the aggregate points, so well done.

Among all the wonderful plants we also had some interesting ‘snowballs’: Mammillaria gracilis ‘Arizona Snowcap’, also M. plumosa from New Mexico and a Rebutia muscula.  Great to see well-grown hardy cacti on the show bench.

Congratulations to Bob and Rannveig Wallis on winning the Open Section Aggregate and the Roger Smith Cup for six pans grown from seed.

Congratulations also to Michael Wilson who gained a Certificate of Merit for Tulipa iliensis.

Don Peace went home with four awards, the AGS Medal for the small six pan, the Richard Regan Trophy for his best in a 19cm pot plant and two Certificates of Merit. A wonderful grower of alpines.

And, finally, what can we say. Peter Hood brought his magnificent Kelseya uniflora, a plant he has had for approximately 30 years, which he thinks he bought in Blackpool. It is grown half plunged in his greenhouse in typical alpine compost with a small bit of lime. He repots it every other year and reckons it flowers better after repotting. He won the Farrer Medal and the American trophy for the best plant native to the Americas. [photo of Peter with the plant by Don Peace]

A great end to a great day.

Reporter Jo Walker
Photographer Jon Evans