It had been a couple of years since I had been able to make the journey across the Severn Bridge for the South Wales Show.  As a fan of many of the dwarf bulb species that are at their peak in February, I was therefore looking forward to the event even more so than usual. The tireless show secretaries, Bob and Rannveig Wallis, always go that extra mile in encouraging both seasoned exhibitors and keen novices to attend, and their efforts are rewarded by a range of fascinating, unusual and reliably crowd-pleasing plants appearing on the show benches.

Top billing in this report must go to Jon Evans’ new photographic display of ‘The Dolomites in June’, which was awarded a deserved Large Gold. This contained highlights of two trips taken to the region and was a large part of the display that appeared at the Early Spring Show a week later where there was more space. Jon’s photos brought back fond memories for those who had previously visited the region, and inspired several others to begin planning their own trips.

What struck me about Jon’s display was the remarkable diversity of the Dolomites’ flora, and this same diversity can always be found on the AGS show benches, not only between genera but within them as well. Six pan classes are always a colourful illustration of this, with the EB Anderson Award for the six pan at South Wales being awarded to Bob and Rannveig.

Included within their entry was Narcissus bulbocodium ssp. tenuifolius, which was not only my favourite plant of the day but also the recipient of a Certificate of Merit. This was one of two Certificates of Merit awarded to Narcissus at the show, and one of six awarded in total – always a good indicator of a show’s quality.

The second went to Ian Robertson’s very different N. ‘Nadder Moon’, a selection of N. moschatus.

Narcissus is possibly my favourite genus (closely followed by Iris) and the South Wales show can be relied on to attract some prime examples. Another of the Wallis’s offerings was N. triandrus x cantabricus ‘Eira’, a pure white hybrid of these two European natives, which they had built up through twin-scaling (i.e. carefully slicing a single bulb into individual scales, each of which has a small portion of the essential base from which roots develop).

A plant that has a more traditional daffodil appearance is Narcissus ‘Elka’, presented by Sue Bedwell, who went on to win the Gwent Trophy for most points in the Intermediate Section.

The winner of the Novice Section, Christine Jarvis, exhibited another Narcissus – N. cyclamineus – which is always in demand from the nurseries and is as happy in the garden as it is in a pot (if not more so).

Undisputed champions of the day were Paul and Gill Ranson. Not only did they retain the Isca Prize for most points in the Open Section, they were also awarded a Certificate of Merit for Dionysia ‘Mike Bramley’ afghanica x tapetodes MK9801/18.

Again highlighting the diversity of alpines, Paul and Gill were also awarded both the Mary Byng Award for best plant in a 19cm pot and the Farrer Medal for best in show for their much brighter D. freitagii EGW91/6.

Sadly missing from this year’s show, a consequence in part of it being a week later than usual, was a strong contingent of snowdrops. Only two were on the benches, both belonging to AGS Director of Shows Martin Rogerson, with Galanthus ‘Straffan’ judged worthy of the Galanthus Goblet.

Cyclamen were also down in number, although Ian Robertson, himself no stranger to Farrer Medals at this show, exhibited a number of distinct plants. Popular with the public was C. libanoticum. This plant has, in my experience at least, an undeserved reputation of being difficult to grow. While I would be reluctant to keep it outside (unlike the C. coum that Ian displayed alongside it, which will happily seed itself around any garden), I find this tends to do well under glass. What is difficult to do is to get it to flower but Ian evidently has no trouble with this.

C. libanoticum is one of the larger of the cyclamen species. More diminutive was Ian’s C. coum ‘Porcelain’. What sets this plant apart is the strong markings on what would usually be monochromatic flowers

Continuing our theme of diversity but taking it in an entirely different direction, ferns were well-represented on the benches. An unusual one was Don Peace’s Pyrrosia hastata, the so-called Felt Fern, which is native to East Asia.

More recognisably a fern to the layperson’s eye was Chris Lilley’s Polystichum setiferum ‘Congesta-crispum’, which again can be relied on to perform in the garden provided it has some protection from the sun.

Both men left South Wales with Certificates of Merit; Don for Callianthemum anemonoides and Chris for Hepatica japonica ‘Anstonian’.

The final Certificate went to another of the Society’s (and Wales’s) bulb experts, George Elder, for Corydalis darwasica.

George’s success gives me opportunity to present two more diverse plants belonging to same genus, one that is readily recognisable to the amateur enthusiast and another that is perhaps more unusual. Bob and Rannveig displayed Fritillaria graeca, which in flower shape at least is similar to the popular garden plant, F. meleagris (the snake’s head fritillary).

The flowers of George’s F. stenanthera, in contrast, are more angular than the familiar bell-shape of Fritillaria, and a number of people were overhead commenting on their surprise that it was a member of this genus.

I round off by mentioning two plants of that runner-up for my alpine affections: Iris. Bob and Rannveig’s I. kolpakowskiana made a welcome repeat performance following the previous week’s Pershore show. Where this plant is understated in its beauty, its fellow Asian native, I. rosenbachiana, exhibited by George Elder is much more electric in its contrasting colours of pale white, deep purple and bright yellow.

Of course, when it comes to diversity, you need look no further than the myriad varieties of I. reticulata – yet another alpine that will thrive in pots (long-toms are best to accommodate the taproot) and in the garden – which will no doubt be out in force as the show season gets into full swing!

Show Reporter: Rob Amos

Show Photographer: Jon Evans