Karen Platt’s blog

The Harrogate Flower Show

It’s an easy trip from Sheffield to Harrogate by train and takes just over one and a half hours. Watch the trains, it can take much longer - you need the express from Leeds to Sheffield. It’s quicker but not as environmentally friendly by car. You can also catch the 36 bus from Leeds.Why come? The Harrogate Flower Show really starts off the gardening year. Harrogate is not a hot spot weatherwise, so it’s no mean feat to have plants looking at their best and some of the displays here are as good as Chelsea. After all it’s the same plants people that do the rounds, the dedicated nurseries who do it for the love of the plants. On Saturday the Alpine Garden Society hold a superb display in one of the marquees. This is always my day to visit. I love the perfect display of tiny gems that abound in this marquee. Apart from the Alpine Garden Society’s own shows - this is the only place that I know of where you can see an alpine display of this magnitude. Second on my agenda is the plant marquees, as you walk into the first Hall you’ll spot Edrom Nurseries from the Scottish border facing you. Terry and Kath are two of the most knowledgable and dedicated plants people I know. They always have a great display and their plants are tip top. Here I have found that some of the nurseries are willing to risk a different display from year to year, whereas at the RHS shows you find nurseries sticking to the same old formula that won gold or silver. So this is a vibrant, changing and growing show. There is a wealth of plants on offer from auriculas (one of my favourites) to Alliums straight from Holland, begonias from Dibleys in Wales. Fabulous fuchsias, hot Heucheras, classic conifers and aristocratic Arisaemas to name a few, you’ll find it all here. I struggled home once with 16 plants on public transport with my much-complaining son- you get carried away by the sheer joy of plants. Plants do sell out, so if you are looking for plants, plan your visit for the first day of the show on Thursday.If you like specialist food, garden clothing and lots of accessories, they are catered for too. It’s not particularly my scene, I prefer it strictly horticultural. Yet, I notice many buy their shirts and jackets here. The bane of the modern day show has arrived here too. People do put their plants in a cart and wheel it around, a bit of a nuisance, but having carried 16 plants, I do know what it is like.Come for the day. Arrive early - there is a shuttle bus into Harrogate if you feel like a break or going to the Valley Gardens.  There are indoor and outdoor caterers at the show. The Fine Country Foods section is much favoured. Much of the show is under cover, but being April in Harrogate, I would advise you wear layers and bring an umbrella.The Harrogate Flower Show is run by the Northern Horticultural Society (NEHS) and it is run on democratic principles. They are human. They actually involve nurseries and societies, instead of telling them what to do. The show has been in evidence since 1910. Two shows are held every year the spring show in April and the autumn show in September. With the attendance of the spring show at around 60,000 visitors a year, it stands along side some of the top flower shows around the world. Just imagine if it was held in London, that figure would be much higher. In addition it has one of the most reasonable entrance fees of any show.Join Karen’s tour to the show in 2009 see www.karenplatt.co.uk/shows Read more about the Harrogate Flower Show on www.flowershow.org.uk