This was the 86^th Ulster Group Show, and veteran Show Secretary Pat Crossley and her team must be congratulated on the outcome. There was a cheerful atmosphere throughout the day and everything ran smoothly. We were again honoured by the presence of Shows Coordinator, Martin Rogerson, who ensured in his firm but unobtrusive way that all the rules were observed. Martin was also an exhibitor at the show and was awarded two Certificates of Merit, one for an excellent specimen of Draba mollissima and the other for his lovely Lewisiopsis tweedyi. Well done Martin.

While overall entries were slightly down the quality of the exhibits was not, with many exceptional plants on the benches. Also, entries in the Novice Section at 36 were well up on last year’s 29, which itself was something of a record. This corresponds with the similar renaissance of this section that we’ve seen in the recent Dublin shows in response to initiatives taken in both groups to urge members to show and to grow plants from seed. It is encouraging to see this response from members as unless we can get new and enthusiastic exhibitors to compensate for the inevitable exit of the stars of the past, we are likely to see a continuation of the decline in the number of plants on the benches that has been a feature of many of the shows of recent years.

The quality of the plants in the Novice Section is also worth noting: most of them would have done well in the Intermediate Section and some even in the Open. Even more remarkable was the awarding of a Certificate of Merit to Primula maximowiczii shown by Hugh McAlary, a first time exhibitor, who also won the C. H. Hammer Trophy for the best plant in the Novice Section in flower. Hugh lifted his primula from the garden and it looked great on the bench – I have never found it easy.

Hugh had a fine plant of Paris quadrifolia on the bench as well, a plant seldom seen in this Section.

The Diamond Jubilee Award for the best Pan of Ericaceae in the Section went to Oonah Stringer, Downpatrick, for her excellent Rhododendron ‘Egret’. The winner of the Malcolmson Cup for the section aggregate went to Barbara Kelso, Greenisland. I’ve no doubt that we’ll be hearing more of Barbara, Oonah and Hugh in the future.

I hope that Mark Smyth, Antrim, who won the John McWhirter Award for the best bulbous plant in the Intermediate Section for his Hyacinthoides non-scripta ‘Bracteata’, his first exhibit in many years, will be back. It is relevant at this point to mention Esker Farm Daffodils owned by Dave and Jules Hardy who won a Gold Award for their display of Daffodils which was much admired by exhibitors and visitors to the show and much appreciated by Pat Crossley. Dave also exhibited at the show as he did last year in Ulster and this year in Dublin, and will I think be a significant presence on the benches at future shows.

The Betty Hill Trophy for the best plant in the Intermediate Section was awarded to Mac Dunlop, Glenoe, Larne, for his Androsace studiosorum. Gordon Finch won the J. A. E. Hill Trophy for the highest aggregate points in this section.

Moving to the Open Section, I secured an AGS Medal for my 6 pan exhibit in Class 1. The deserved winners of the Carol McCutcheon Award for the best pan of Ericaceae were George and Pat Gordon, Bangor for their well-flowered Rhodendron keiskii ‘Yaku Fairy’.

Gordon Toner, Limavady, the Ulster Group’s premier exhibitor, was awarded a Certificate of Merit for his large, floriferous Daphne gemmata, a plant that won the Farrer Medal in Dublin. Tropaeolum tricolor is a lovely plant but difficult to present well on the showbench – Val Keegan, Bray, has found the answer and was deservedly awarded a Certificate of Merit for her striking exhibit.

Paddy Smith, Navan, grows a wide range of plants but is probably most known for his gentians which he grows to perfection and almost all from seed. As well as many other plants he had thirteen gentians on the bench at this show every one of which was covetable, so he brought back a lot of silverware to Navan.

He won the Phebe Anderson Trophy for his three pans of rock plants raised from seed, all gentians, one of which was a beautiful pale-blueish form of G. ligustica, a stunning plant which was given a Certificate of Merit. Others of his gentians won him the Garratt Cup for 1 plant grown from seed; the Cowan Trophy for 1 pan Gentiana; and the SRGC Quaich for the best plant in a pot not exceeding 19cm. To top his success, he brought home the Cooke Cup for the most first prize points in the Open Section.

Finally, to Gavin Moore the other big winner on the day. Three of his plants received certificates of Merit: Primula bullata var. forrestii; Trillium chloropetalum ‘Bob Gordon’, one of 3 large trilliums in the 3 pan bulbs class; and Arenaria alfacarensis. He won the Festival of Britain Trophy for his 3 pans rock plants, distinct genera; the Alpines ’96 Award for the best plant from Australasia, Raoulia petriensis ‘Margaret Pringle’; and the Farrer Medal for Daphne petraea ‘Lydora’. Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of the Show.

I always feel a touch of sadness after the late April show as it ends the Irish show season but in the light of my experience at this year’s Ulster Show I look forward to 2026 with some optimism.

Reporter: Billy Moore
Photographer: Heather Smith