Official Show Pictures

Tonight's batch of 'official' show pictures are from the Kent Show. Kent was a show dominated by cushions, with huge dionysias, saxifrages and primulas. Normally, there are wonderful bulbs as well, but there were fewer than normal this year.

I find when taking the official pictures that I tend to concentrate on smaller cushions, in part because that is where the new cultivars and species appear.

There is also a weight consideration. Carrying one of David Hoare's huge pots from his six pan entry composed of saxifrages is one thing; taking each of the six in turn is quite another, though all were worthy of photographs.

But I also find that photographs tend not to do justice to the larger cushions, magnificent though they are in the flesh. The individual flowers tend to look small and it is difficult to capture their beauty. I hope that this lack of photographs doesn't offend some of the growers; I am always happy to satisfy a polite request to take a photo, if you feel your plant is particularly fine this year.

This time, let's start with the Farrer Medal, awarded to the hard-working show secretary, David Hoare

Saxifraga Myriad exhibited by David Hoare

Close up of Saxifraga Myriad

Saxifraga Coolock Kate, also exhibited by David Hoare

Saxifraga retusa, exhibited by Eric Jarrett
Not often seen on a show bench

Now some dionysias. First, the best plant in a 19cm pot.

Dionysia oreodoxa also exhibited by Eric Jarrett

Dionysia aretioides Gerben exhibited by Paul and Gill Ranson

A fabulously elegant plant; the flowers are just neatly arranged without being packed too tightly together

Dionysia tapetodes JRDE2 exhibited by Paul and Gill Ranson

I can't think when I have ever seen a tapetodes as perfectly covered with flowers, and a lovely deep yellow.

Dionysia bryoides exhibited by Anne Vale
This plant was in C section, and won the award for the best plant there.

Dionysia bryoides JM/MK9907-138 exhibited by Hans Kaupert

Another clone of D. bryoides, quite different in habit

Dionysia khatamii JLMS02-01 exhibited by Chas and Rita Carter

Dionysia odora x tapetodes MK0353-2 from Paul and Gill Ranson

Dionysia Harlekin exhibited by Alan Jones
I think this plant is lovely, but I have never managed to photograph it without these little marks on the petals; perhaps next year.

A few primulas

Primula allionii Chivalry exhibited by Ian Kidman
all the way down from Newcastle

Primula Jackie Richards exhibited by David Philbey

Primula marginata Gordon exhibited by Alan and Janet Cook

My favourite primula of the day - so fresh and clean

This was the first show at which drabas made an appearance, both white and yellow.

Draba ossetica var racemosa exhibited by Cyril Dart

Draba polytricha exhibited by Eric Jarrett

Shortia galacifolia exhibited by Hedi and Jim Hancox

Cyclamen coum Lake Effect exhibited by Tony Jenkins

Best plant in Section B

Some orchids exhibited by Richard Manuel

Anacamptis longicornu

Neotinea tridentata

Ophrys cretica x kotschyi

Finally, a few of the best bulbs

Corydalis curviflora var rosthornii Blue Heron exhibited by Ray Drew

I think Kent was the first show at which this plant made an appearance. It drew a lot of attention at Exeter, and won a Certificate of Merit at London.

Crocus vernus var albiflorus exhibited by Maureen Ledgerton

This plant was awarded a Certificate of Merit

Fritillaria carica Brun exhibited by Ian Robertson

Iris pamphylica exhibited by Colin and Elaine Barr
I think this was my favourite plant, and certainly my favourite photo from the show.

Iris ulicaria exhibited by Norman Stevens

Iris zenaidae exhibited by John Kemp
A second plant awarded a Certificate of Merit

Tulipa cretica Mount Dikti form exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis

A fabulously short form of this familiar show plant, apparently not offsetting.

Narcissus jonquilla var minor exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis

The third plant awarded a Certificate of Merit. The fourth went to Eric Jarrett for Chionohebe pulvinaris, although it wasn't fully out, but I will post a photo of that from the South West Show the following Saturday.

Last but not least?
Some of you who know me will know that it is my personal penance to transport David Philbey's tufa gardens (and all the primulas) to and fro from shows. On this occasion I put it down on the photography bench and took a picture

Miniature Garden exhibited by David Philbey