Last Tuesday I was invited up to Vincent Square to photograph the plants submitted for consideration by the Joint Rock Garden Committee at the RHS Early Spring Plant Fair. In recent years this has been a difficult job, with up to twenty plants to photograph, in a limited time window between meetings of different committees in the same room. This year there were just two plants, both exhibited by RBG Kew and brought by public transport, plus some stems of an unusual snowdrop with multiple flowers on each stem (I'm not sure who brought those).
Iris Nico
A hybrid iris created by Tony Hall, exhibited by RBG Kew, and awarded a Cultural Commendation for its grower (Kit Strange).
Iris nusairensis x planifolia
Another hybrid iris, this time a chance seedling from a pod collected from Iris nusairensis at RBG Kew, which was awarded a Botanical Certificate.
Galanthus Kinky
An unusual snowdrop with multiple flowers on each stem (I'm not sure who brought these).
RHS Lindley Hall - A Celebration of Snowdrops
Having photographed these few plants, I was free to explore the show, shortly after opening. The Lindley Hall was dominated by an artistic display of snowdrops, described as:
"A fascinating collection of rare and unusual Snowdrops will be on display in a unique hanging installation created by award garden designer Fiona Silk. The collection will feature Snowdrops on loan from specialist growers, esteemed galanthophiles and famous gardens and will include the story behind the owner’s choice."
Snowdrops in Flying Bags ???
The White Witch's Banquet Table ?
Pressed Wildflower Photographs
Jane Anashka staged another display of her fascinating photographs of pressed wildflowers.
Botanical art workshop
Down one side of the hall the Chelsea School of Botanical Art was running a botanical art workshop where a few paying visitors could be guided through the painting of a Valentine's Day card featuring snowdrops.
Harveys Garden Plants
Also in this hall were the main nursery displays featuring snowdrops, starting with Harveys Garden Plants.
Galanthus Fieldgate Superb
Galanthus Marjorie Brown
Galanthus Ketton
Galanthus David Shackleton
Galanthus Ginns Imperati
Helleborus hybrid
Shaftesbury Snowdrops
There was also a sales stand from Shaftesbury Snowdrops - a community snowdrop growing project.
Avon Bulbs
Avon bulbs produced the most interesting of the displays, though smaller than in previous years.
Galanthus Gloria
Galanthus Ruth Dashwood
Galanthus Under Cherry Plum
Galanthus Percy Picton
Galanthus Rosemary Burnham
Galanthus Veronica Cross
Galanthus Philippe Andre Meyer
Galanthus Moreton Mill
Galanthus Grave Concern
Galanthus E A Bowles
Galanthus Bertram Anderson
Galanthus Sprite
Galanthus Feodora
Galanthus Diggory
Winter Walk Installation
Over in the Lawrence Hall, there were more stands and displays, but the show felt similarly empty. Gone are the days when every stand was six deep on the opening morning, and it was a struggle to get to see the most interesting plants. One of the most eye-catching displays was the Winter Walk Installation.
"Award winning garden writer and author Naomi Slade will create a walk through planting installation based on the winter garden at Wisley."
Edgeworthia chrysantha grandiflora
Salix gracilistyla Mount Aso
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Birmingham Botanical Gardens brought a display of cyclamen from the National Collection.
National Association of Flower Arrangement Societi
NAFAS staged a display featuring the very striking Flowerfall arrangement.
W & S Lockyer display
W & S Lockyer produced an attractive display of spring bulbs, featuring the lovely Narcissus Snow Baby, and a Senecio with grey felted leaves.
Narcissus Snow Baby
Senecio Angel Wings
Ottershaw Cacti
Finally, a couple of photographs from a cactus stand which I think was Ottershaw Cacti - the patterns of succulent leaves and spines always appeal to me.
Ferocactus pilosus
Aloe plicatilis
I have never seen the RHS show halls so empty on the first morning of a show, whether because of the charges now made for RHS members to enter the show, or because some of the regular nursery exhibitors have decided not to attend (in part as a result of these charges). Over the last few years this show has moved from an event packed with nursery displays and stands, which attracted vast numbers of visitors and sold huge numbers of plants for the nurseries, to one which is dominated by large installations which seem to attract little interest from the visiting public. Whatever the reason, I cannot see the show continuing in this format.