Contrary to the weather forecast, which would have had us expect a band of heavy cloud and showers moving south, it was a beautiful morning as we set off for the show, and we drove up the M40 between banks of cowslips in early morning sunshine.  My wife Helen was going on from the show to spend the day with her mum in Nottingham, so she wanted to tip me out early.  I had no problem with that - well before judging started I had toured the plant sales, spent far too much money and returned into the show hall to start identifying what I needed to photograph as soon as possible.

In the entrance hall to the school, Jean Morris was setting up a display of embroidery.  Following this year's change in the rules, this wasn't judged, but was given a Gold Award in line with what it has received at earlier shows.

Whilst judging was in progress, I took pictures of the show benches, to give an impression of the show.  Not quite as many pots as I have seen here, but the quality was excellent.  In between the plants you will note the usual suspects, about their business stewarding or judging.

Large six pans of Rock Plants

Judging still hadn't finished, so I moved on to photograph the six pan classes, and a few of the larger and less portable exhibits.  There were two entries in the large six pan class; the first, from Alan and Janet Cook, winning the AGS Medal, and the second, composed entirely of Helichrysum hybrids in a variety of colours, from Chris Bowyer.

Small Six Pans of Rock Plants

The AGS Medal for the small six pan went to this single entry from Don Peace.

3 pans Daphne

This show also has the Blackthorn Trophy for three small pans of daphne, here won by Lionel Clarkson.

Miniature Gardens

It was good to see the classes for both types of miniature garden (with and without accessories) well populated with entries - these are just some of those that appeared.

First, without accessories, from John and Clare Dower, and Mavis and Sam Lloyd, then with accessories, from Anne Vale, Lesley Travis, and Pauline Carless.  Sadly for Anne, the judges don't award points for humour - there is a gnome reading the newspaper in the dunny !

Ramonda nathaliae JCA686

Immediately judging had finished I was presented with the Farrer winning plant to photograph.  This was the same pan of ramonda which won it the previous week at Kent.  My intention was to return to this plant later on, but I took a few pictures straight away while it was there.  Unfortunately, the exhibitor, Ivan Pinnick, is adamant that he doesn't want his photo taken with it and posted on the web - perhaps he is on a police wanted list somewhere.

Iris lacustris Captain Collingwood

My first target, in a room which would grow steadily warmer as the sun came round, was this magnificent pot of iris from Tim Lever, which should have been in contention for top honours, but was only third in its class, though subsequently awarded a Certificate of Merit, indicating perhaps a difference of opinion amongst the judges.

Iris lineolata x paradoxa

Also on my list of potentially short-lived flowers was this little jewel from Brian and Jo Walker.

Anemone rupicola

This fabulous anemone, with very large pristine flowers, was exhibited by Lionel Clarkson.

Paeonia clusii

Matching the appeal of the anemone was a peony we seldom see, for it is even less hardy than P. cambessedesii, exhibited by Vic and Jan Aspland.  I suspect we shall see damage to buds and flowers on many other peonies this coming week, with frost forecast throughout the land - I have three different plants which opened today and will probably be blitzed tomorrow.

Paeonia tenuifolia lithophila

Sticking with peonies, I took this plant exhibited by Tony Lee over to the photography table to capture the sumptuous red flower just opening.

Tulipa bakeri Lilac Wonder

This is a familiar garden plant, though in my garden there is a lot of vegetative reproduction, and few flowers, but this pan from David and Liz Livermore was performing exceptionally well.

Aruncus aesthusifolius

The Perry Cup for the aggregate in the Novice Section was shared by two exhibitors, both of whom entered one plant in different classes.  The first was Janet Pepper from the Woking Group, who entered this Aruncus.

Saxifraga cebennensis

Also in the Novice Section was this neat saxifrage from Neville Morris, who shared the Perry Cup for the section aggregate.

Tiarella Pink Sky Rocket

Moving on to the Intermediate Section, this attractive and photogenic Tiarella was exhibited by Brenda Nickels.

Phlox Bavaria

A very good pan of a good garden plant, exhibited by Brenda Nickels.

Aquilegia flabellata Nana

This little aquilegia was exhibited by Lesley Travis.

Gypsophila aretioides Caucasica

The Crataegus Trophy for the best plant in the Intermediate Section went to Lesley Travis for this Gypsophila.  Lesley also took home the Albury Trophy for the section aggregate.

Draba corinthiaca

The bench closest to my photography position held the 'new or rare' classes.  Strangely, the only draba I remember seeing in the hall was this little one I found there, exhibited by Chris Lilley.

Androsace rotundifolia

Also in the 'new or rare' classes was this androsace, exhibited by Brian Burrow.

Androsace geraniifolia

Elsewhere in the show, also labelled A. rotundifolia, was this plant exhibited by Lionel Clarkson, determined by the pundits to be A. geraniifolia.

Androsace robusta subsp robusta

Of course, these were not the only pans of androsace in the show.  Don Peace brought several plants of this species.

Androsace vandellii

Also from Don Peace were two pans of A. vandellii, the larger of which beat two much larger pans of easier androsaces.

Primula aureata

Moving on to primulas, this was another exhibit from Don Peace.

Primula petiolaris

From Lionel Clarkson

Primula marginata Alba

There was much discussion as to whether Diane Clement's primula was a white form of P. marginata, or a hybrid.

Primula kisoana var alba

However, the Midland Primula Bowl for the best primula went to Ivor Betteridge for this pan of P. kisoana.

Cyclamen persicum Silver Leaf

There were a few nice cyclamen at the show; this one was exhibited by Ivor Betteridge.

Dionysia involucrata ex Gothenburg

David Richards exhibited a fine white specimen of Dionysia involucrata.

Allium minutiflorum

As we saw at the Kent Show, the allium season has started - Peter Farkasch exhibited this one (not particularly small-flowered) in the 'new and rare' classes.

Allium elburzense

Ivor Betteridge showed a form of Allium elburzense which was very different from that exhibited by Lee and Julie Martin the previous week.

Allium shelkovnikovii var saraeya

Finally, a form of A. shelkovnikovii exhibited by Lionel Clarkson; I can't find any mention of this variety.

Fritillaria affinis yellow form

Diane Clement exhibited a lovely yellow form of Fritillaria affinis.

Fritillaria meleagris Saturnus

The Midland Challenge Cup (essentially for the best plant in a 19cm pot) went to Don Peace for this pan of F. meleagris.

Fritillaria pyrenaica

Don Peace also won the AGS Seed Distribution Award for the best plant in the seed raised classes with this pan of F. pyrenaica.

Arisaema thunbergii var urashima

There were several pans of Arisaema on the bench; this one exhibited by John and Clare Dower was one of the most striking.

Trillium grandiflorum Roseum

It is always good to see and photograph the pink form of T. grandiflorum, here exhibited by Vic and Jan Aspland.

Trillium ozarkianum

I'm not sure that this is still considered a separate species from T. pusillum - I have seen it included within T. pusillum or given subspecies status - but it was a lovely plant, again from Vic and Jan Aspland.

Pleione Vesuvius grex Phoenix

Don Peace had two pans of this pleione - the other was slightly larger, but this made a better picture.  With all these plants it is no surprise that Don also won the Leschallas Cup for the open section aggregate.

Calanthe discolor

A good pan of Calanthe from Anne Vale

Flower Arrangement

I have been photographing flower arrangements at many of the shows - when there is an entry from Sam and Mavis Lloyd, as here, it is always going to be good.

Uvularia grandiflora

Exhibited by John and Clare Dower.  I always love the deep yellow flowers.

Verbascum dumulosum

A pan of Verbascum in perfect condition from David Richards.

Aquilegia canadensis Corbett

An interesting and attractive pale yellow form of aquilegia exhibited by David Richards.

Gentiana acaulis Frohnleiten

I try to photograph at least one pan of G. acaulis every spring; this one was exhibited by John Bunn.

Saxifraga exarata adenophora

A week on from Kent, this pan of S. exarata from Alan and Janet Cook looked even better, and was awarded a Certificate of Merit.

Phlox bifida Alba

The one plant I decided not to carry over to the window - I know what Chris Lilley keeps in the bottom of his pots !

Viola douglasii

A lovely yellow viola from Ian Kidman

Pulsatilla halleri slavica alba

More pristine white flowers on this exhibit from Brian Burrow.

Lewisia cotyledon Alba

It is always a pleasure at this time of year when lewisias appear on the show benches.  This lovely white one was exhibited by Diane Clement.

Lewisia cotyledon hybrid

A magenta form from Dave Mountfort.

Lewisia cotyledon

And a fine pink form from Vic and Jan Aspland.

Lewisia Ashwood Ruby

Show secretary John Harrison brought this huge plant of L. Ashwood Ruby, which won the Roy Elliott Memorial Salver for the best pan of Lewisia, and a Certificate of Merit, and which was a close runner-up for the Farrer medal.

Crassula socialis

This is one of my favourite little plants, here exhibited by Brian and Shelagh Smethurst.  My own plant went to a local show a couple of weeks ago, where it was completely disregarded.

Rebutia heliosa var cajasensis

We are slowly seeing more hardy cacti at AGS Shows; this one had a class specifically for them.  It was interesting to see and compare two different varieties of R. heliosa; this one was exhibited by John Dixon.

Rebutia heliosa var condorensis

The second variety of R. heliosa, exhibited by Tony Lee.

Tofieldia coccinea

This Tofieldia made an interesting entry in the foliage classes by Ron and Hilary Price.

Hepatica nobilis Stained Glass

In the small pan foliage classes everyone was very taken by this little hepatica exhibited by Bob Worsley.

Cassiope George Taylor Group Slipstream

This cassiope from Ian Kidman was exhibited as a C. wardii hybrid, and Ian was somewhat uncomfortable with Robert Rolfe's identification of it under the above name after it appeared at Cleveland last week.  Whatever it is, it was the best ericaceous plant in the show and won the Edinburgh Quaich.

Cassiope lycopodioides Gracilis

Another fine Cassiope from Ian Kidman

Leucopogon suaveolens

Together with the two above, this New Zealander from Ian Kidman featured last week at Cleveland, but it was the first time I had seen or photographed it, and it was still in good condition and covered in flowers.

Schizocodon soldanelloides var illicifolius

Dave Mountfort brought this much admired Schizocodon.

Kalmia polifolia var compacta Alba

I missed Gemma's Kalmia last week, so made sure I captured this specimen from Anne Vale.

Rhododendron Wren

Moving on to rhododendrons, Mavis and Sam Lloyd exhibited a little plant of Wren covered in flowers.

Rhododendron dendrocharis pale form

Alternatively, you might prefer the more demure charms of this rhododendron from Diane Clement.

Pinus mugo Zwergkugel

The dwarf conifer classes were well supported as usual - I liked this small pan entry from Rod and Shirley Johnson.

Salix x margarita

One last shrub, this time from the 'new and rare' classes, exhibited by Brian Burrow.

Clematis marmoraria

Dot Sample exhibited this attractive specimen.

Clematis marmoraria

It is amazing what the exhibitors get up to when you are not watching them.  A crowd had gathered, to watch two plants of Clematis marmoraria, a male (exhibited by Eric Jarrett), and a female (exhibited by Diane Clement, who apparently requested the service), indulging in a bout of pollination, ably facilitated by Brian Burrow, who manipulated the male plant with a neat jiggling wrist action to persuade it to release its pollen on the waiting stigmas. [I couldn't help thinking of James Herriott, and his tales of a country vet].

So I present first the male, collapsed in a huddle and exhausted after these manoeuvres, and then the female, lying back languorously and smoking a cigarette.

Wurmbea burttii

George Elder made an entry into 3 pans of plants new or rare in cultivation consisting of three pans of Wurmbea (South African bulbs which I find distinctly tricky to cultivate).

Wurmbea marginata

It was only in late afternoon when the sun came round that I got an opportunity to photograph George Elder's other two Wurmbeas successfully, with backlight to make then shine like jewels.

Wurmbea recurva

Also from George Elder

Ramonda nathaliae JCA686

This was the light I had been waiting for, so I took Ivan Pinnick's Farrer-winning ramonda back off the bench and had another go at it.

That's the end of another exhausting day.  Huge thanks are due to John Harrison and all his helpers for staging another excellent show, with plentiful tea and excellent baps, and to the exhibitors for bringing such a fine selection of plants.