I went to the Harrogate Flower Show as promised on Saturday 24 April 2010. I so enjoyed my day, and I must admit, that owing to health problems, I confined myself to the Alpine Garden Society’s marquee. I had to forego the incredible displays on the stands of my favourite nurseries Edrom Nurseries, Jaques Amand, Craven’s Auricula’s, Dibley’s and many more. Edrom would have been showing some wonderful alpines too and they always have a good display of interesting plants.
I spent almost two hours in the alpine marquee, wondering in amazement at the beauty of alpines. These small, perfectly formed treasures that are not the easiest plants to grow yet given the right conditions, flower their hearts out. All praise goes to the growers who bring these plants to perfection, often with so many blooms. If you really are interested in alpines, you should join The Alpine Garden Society in England, or the Rock Garden society of America.
There are far too many photos to share in one post, so this is just part one, check back for further posts later. Before I go on to plants, let me say that if you miss the Harrogate Flower Show, you really are missing out. You can spend a full day here. I have always found it thoroughly enjoyable. I nip into Harrogate for lunch and always go the Palm Court cafe where the food is delicious.
Comments I heard about the show -
“It’s my first time and it’s wonderful, I’m amazed at all the plants”
“It’s very well organized”
but everyone was complaining about the price of the shuttle bus!
Plants at the Harrogate Flower Show, where do I start?
Let’s begin with something close to my heart. Let’s concentrate on black and green, two colours very special to me. Remember you can buy the original, innovative books I wrote on black plants, ‘Black Magic and Purple Passion’ (over 400 photos), and the latest ebook on 650 new black plants, ‘Black Magic and Purple Passion 4th ed’ or the ebook ‘The Best of Black Plants’ and on green flowers (over 300 photos), ‘Emeralds‘ by visiting the shop on this website. Books are also available in the USA from the Lakewold garden shop. Arisaemas. I find these aroids very fascinating, extraordinarily beautiful and elegant. Arisaema engleri and Arisaema sikokianum.
Fritillaries too are a great favourite of mine, I have always bought Fritillaria camschatcensis from Edrom Nurseries at the show, but you may need to look for a specialist bulb supplier for some of these. The beautiful green Fritallaria ionica and the black F. tuntasia and equally adorable F. pyrenaica.
Trilliums too are a great favourite and more plants that I have purchased from Edrom Nurseries. Just enjoy those huge petals and the fabulous foliage of Trillium chloropetalum giganteum.
To finish off today’s post, is Arisarum. Plants I have heard many people say when passing Amand’s bulb stand, oh, they are the plants that smell. Have you taken a close sniff? They may look devious beneath the leaves, but they are intriguing and worth growing and I have never detected any off-putting smells, certainly not from a metre away! Who could not love a plant with giant panda eyes? This is Asarum maximum.
All photos copyright 2010 Karen Platt
