NORTHUMBERLAND SHOW 2006 HEXHAM



Hexham

Hexham sits beside the North Tyne River, just where the well cultivated Eastern valley begins to rise to the more rugged uplands. It has been a meeting place since Roman times. Sometimes the meetings were less than friendly but on April Fool's day 2006 it was where SRGC & AGS friends from both sides of the border gathered to see the best display of rock garden plants yet staged this year. The river was charged with energy as were the exhibitors who had first to get to Hexam and then carry their plants into the big sport's hall. Bursts of wind and rain meant that each trip might be different from the previous. Delicate blooms had to be protected and stems supported to maintain the perfection of the exhibits.



North Tyne River

Cyril Lafong took the Forrest Medal with his Pulsatilla vernalis, the same plant which was pipped at the post last week in Dunblane and which has now won several medals.


Pulsatilla vernalis

Former Show Secretary Alan Newton won the big 6 pan class and an AGS medal, one of their supreme show awards, with a fine entry which included a very fine Iris rosenbachiana haragon and Dionisia curvifora.


Alan Newton's AGS Medal exhibit.


Don Peace's AGS medal exhibit in the small 6 pan class

The two fabulous pans of Pleiones, 'Soufriere' and 'Eiger' in Section 1 reminded me just how wonderful this orchid is. Then just opposite was Alan's pan of the exquisite Pleione forrestii. I am longing for the day when a 'forrestii' plant will win a Forrest medal.



Pleione 'Eiger'


Pleione forrestii.

Primulaceae come into their own at Hexam as the Dionisias are still good, with several 'new' species appearing and Primulas, both European and Asiatic just at their peak.
There were lots of superb European Primula hybrids.


Bench with Primulaceae closest to camera


Ray Fairburn's 3 pan Primula exhibit


Rod and Shirley Johnson's P. Broadwell Miklmaid'



Primula Clarence Elliot



Primula marginata 'Casterino' reputed to be the best white but difficult to grow


Primula 'Jo-Jo'

Asiatic Primulas were reduced in number, probably because AGS President and local member was missing , since he was on AGS duties at another show down South. I hope he took his Asiatics with him
Two contrasting Asiatic sat side by side, Primula aureata and Primula clarkii. P.auraeta is one of our most sumptuous plants, with more than its fair share of farina and unbelievable egg yolk flowers nuzzling down into the leaf bases . Here it was represented by the form or hybrid 'Netta Dennis' P clarkii is simple, tiny, and pink [ Sounds like the traditional hen pecked Scotsman on holiday in Spain] with its wee flowers rising only a centimetre above he surface.


Primula 'Netta Dennis'


Primula clarkii



Primula bracteosa

The north of England shows always produce good foliage plants


George Young's winning 3 pans for foliage


Haastia pulvinaris


Nardophyllum bryoides


Sideritis phlomoides.


Aciphylla monroi.


Hacquetia epipactis 'THOR'

Hepaticas added a lot of interest and colour to the benches, Many were show n by David Boyd


Hepatica nobilis


Heptica acutiloba


As always huge pans of wonderful bubs emphasised just how much we owe to these plants.



Fritillaria bucharica


Fritillaria pudica and some narcissi, showing the similarity in colour.


Tecophilea cyanocrocus



Ornithogalum nanum


Fritillaria michaelowskyi

Other plants which I admired were the following


Saxifraga 'Colbrook Gem'



Saxifraga 'Lismore Carmine'


Corydalis solida 'Penza Strain' seedling


Viola jooii


Berneuxia thibetica


Bergenia 'Pat Furness'

And finally this is what the shows are all about!

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