Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
SRGC Shows and Events => SRGC Shows Questions and Answers => Topic started by: Maggi Young on April 08, 2014, 03:46:33 PM
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As the good folk of "Embra" are gearing up for the anniversary show this coming weekend - forum star Diane Clement has arrived in the Scottish capital for her appearance tonight at the SRGC Group meeting.
Always supposing she manages to escape from the maze that is Waverly Station as it undergoes major refurbishment! ::) ;)
12th April - 75th EDINBURGH AND THE LOTHIANS SHOW
Special Prizes best plants in classes 34, 75 and 81.
12th April 10.30 am to 4.00 pm (Doors and sales open 10.30,Show open 12.00 noon)
SHOW SECRETARIES: Drs Carole and Ian Bainbridge 3 Woodhouselee, Easter Howgate, Midlothian, EH26 0PG. Telephone 0131 445 3268 E-mail: bainbridi@aol.com
VENUE: Fairmilehead Parish Church, Frogston Road West, Fairmilehead, Edinburgh
LOCATION: At City Bypass, Lothianburn Junction, A702; go into city. Turn right at first traffic lights (Fairmilehead) and church hall is first left.
ENTRIES: To Show Secretaries by Wednesday before the show Late entries accepted until one hour before judging. STAGING: 6.00 - 8.00 pm, Friday before the show and 8.00 - 9.30 am, Saturday of the show. JUDGING: Begins at 9.45 am PRESENTATIONS: Trophies will be presented at 3.30pm
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local members setting up the show this evening
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Last year at Edinburgh the Forrest Medal was won by David Boyd with his beautiful plant of Hepatica 'Blue Jewel' - pictured here by Stan da Prato
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- who will be the worth winner this year?
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News from "Embra" - as the Scottish capital is known - the Forrest Medal has been won by a beautiful Ranunculus grown by Sam Sutherland - I think it may be a form of Ranunculus parnassifolius - I'm told it is a "little piece of perfection" !
Congratulations, Sam!!
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MacPlants ready to go for sale at the show - tweeted by Gavin McNaughton
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Hopefully see some of you at the Edinburgh show tomorrow - tweeted by Kevock
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First Sam's Forrest wining Ranunculus parnassifolius-small but perfectly formed. Then Cyril Lafong's winning class 3 enrt for 3 rare or difficult planst which carries the |Elsie Harvey Trophy. Cyril also also received merit certs for his Erythronium and hybrid Trillium.
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Cyril also received a merit cert for his Primula bracteosa which won the Cooper Bhutan drinking cup for the best Asiatic primula. Bob Maxwell took the Corsar trophy for the best European primula with a large pan of Aire Mist -Bob also won the Tod Carnethy trophy for the best bulb with Fritillaria Canmore Park.
Stella & David Rankin won the AO Curle trophy for class 5 for three plants raised from seed and the Mackie Quaich for best saxifrage.
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Mike Dale travelled up from Northumberland to win the Henry Archibald rose bowl for three big pans of different genera in class 2. As this was the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh show a special prize went to the winner of class 75 for 3 plants from one county in this case Margaret & Henry Taylor for 3 from the French alps maritime. Your correspondent received the Alf Evans Quaich for the best ericaceous plant other than rhododendron for an Andromeda and the Reid rose bowl for most points in section 1
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I'm told that Rachel and Keith Lever were at 'Embra' ( while their boy was winning a Farrer at Knowle )
Other nurseries there were Rumbling Bridge, MacPlants and Kevock, as mentioned already, Binnies, and Ardfearn.With the Club plant stall as well, the opportunities for retail therapy must have been well-covered.
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..and photographic evidence will eventually be forthcoming but first section 2 which was well supported and where Sue Simpson did extremely well taking the bronze medal, the Midlothian bowl and a merit cert for best plant with a fine trough of clematis and the Midlothian vase for the best rhododendron in the show, Bill Jessop brought in a nice Androsace vandellii to with the prize for a first time exhibitor
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My word, Sue is having a great year! What a fine range of plants she has. Will be giving the big boys a run for their money, soon!
The Rhododendron - is it megeratum? - is lovely.
Mr Jessop has scored a real winner with his first entry- well done Bill!
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RBGE always put on a superb display at the Edinburgh show and this year their exhibit was so good they received a professional Forrest medal as well as the customary gold award -though not the showiest plant on the display the rare Hepatica falconeri aroused considerable interest
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To mark the 75th anniversary a cake was on hand ceremonially cut by Show secretaries Carole & Ian Bainbridge before being distributed among the exhibitors and helpers-more on the celebrations and plants tomorrow -it is now dinner time!
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I'm told that Rachel and Keith Lever were at 'Embra' ( while their boy was winning a Farrer at Knowle )
Other nurseries there were Rumbling Bridge, MacPlants as mentioned already, Binnies, Ardfearn and Kevock. With the Club plant stall as well, the opportunities for retail therapy must have been well-covered.
Too true. I bought 27 plants for my newly designed and landscaped garden!
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Crumbs, Maureen - that's beyond therapy - that's working on an Olympic medal - what fun!
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my customary quick tour of the benches. I hope others will add to this with more detailed close-ups and informative comments. Starting with section I class A for 6 small pots then working along the larger pot classes, plants grown from seed and into the many primulas.
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continuing
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and more
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and along the short bench with foliage type plants into the classes for other plants - very varied -and cushions
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ranuncs and bulbs etc
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mainly more bulbs and saxifraga
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yet more bulbs
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moving into dwarf shrubs, plant from specific countries etc
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some views of section 2 which was well supported this year.
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Two teams of judges with stewards start work by 10 am as the show opens to the public at midday. This year the stewards carried a bin in which plants deemed unworthy of the show bench could be deposited. Finally Ken and his assistant add up all the points.
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while the judging takes place most people visit the sales area. Here the local group members provide an excellent range of good value plants to buy. The best candidate for a caption on the commercial stands was Gavin of Macplants look of amazement as the Borders group convenor opened her wallet..........
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Six nurseries fill the sales area and there is a rota as more would like to come than there is space for. This year it was Macplants, Rumbling Bridge, Kevock, Ardfearn, Binny and Aberconwy.
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hilarity in the kitchen had to be tempered when the visitors ate all the food and more supplies had to be sent for
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some of the volunteers who make these shows possible
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people among the plants
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...some more
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People including some young recruits
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not all the visitors came on two legs....
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..........and so to the presentations which were expanded this year with extra prizes of champagne for the winners of class 75 as it was the 75th anniversary show-appropriately this went to Henry and Margaret Taylor who have probably contributed to the Edinburgh show for more years than anyone. Then Bill Jessop with his very first award. Bob Maxwell may have moved house but still grows good plants. Could there be an SRGC award ceremony without Cyril?
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David Rankin is an experienced exhibitor, Sue Simpson less so but already creating an impression, Mike Dale epitomises cross border co-operation. Lawrie Buchan ex RBGE has been a great help liaising between the show and the local Church whose hall it is while Elspeth and John from the current RBGE are stalwart supporters of the local group.
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Sam looking thoughtful over his best in show then a well deserved presentation by two exhibitors organised by incoming show secretary Dave Millward to Carole and Ian for their years of service to the Edinburgh show -as they are soon to move to the south west of Scotland they may yet be involved organizing another show in that area.
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...........there are plants of interest as well as those that win trophies - I thought David Millward's Bongardia chrysogonum was remarkable - apparently from the Berberidaceae it grows from a tuber in Iran.
Finally the sun shone as people loaded plants back into vehicles and set off home
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Stan - a wonderful report on this anniversary show. As telling as the fine plants on display are the shots of folks having a grand time.
Your shot in the previous post of happy exhibitors getting the final plants squeezed into an already packed car is proof that modern vehicles owned by Club members are often equipped with elastic sides - though I don't think I have ever seen this mentioned in the car manufacturers' advertisements ::) ;)
It's nice to see that bulbs ( and corms and tubers ) are as popular as ever and I take heart that there are some excellent exhibits in the classes for ericaceae - your Andromeda is lovely.
Your photo of Sam , George and Sue is a cracker, by the way.
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Just a quickie from the Bainbridges to say thanks to everyone who came, exhibited, saw, spent, helped, and conquered (Sam and Elspeth!). We've had brilliant help from all the Edinburgh Group over the last fifteen years; it's truly a team effort to the point that everyone knows what to do without asking. After a long night's sleep we're feeling like we're passing the show onto Dave in a good state and we know it will be in good hands.
So thankyou one and all, for the flowers, the scotch and most of all the friendship.
Carole and Ian
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Visons of Carole and Ian spending the day in a heap on the floor, surrounded by flowers and nourished by the noble barley juice have been cast aside by the arrival of Sandy Leven's report on the Forrest Medal Ranunculus - complete with lovely smiley photo of Sam: http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/EdinburghForrest2014.pdf (http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/EdinburghForrest2014.pdf) - includes and "advert" for Margaret and Henry Taylor's new book - Sam got the winning Ranunculus as a seedling from the Taylors.
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Photo tweeted by Gavin McNaughton
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" Show benches at SRGC Edinburgh Show yesterday. Spot the retiring Show Sec! "
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Yes, Maggi, you're right. My wee rhododendron is megeratum 'Bodnant' - thanks to Aberconwy a few years ago. First time it has flowered.
And can I say a big thank you too for all the useful advice and help given to me by other exhibitors and organisers (and George too, of course!)
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Sue, as with all your plants - it is a wee smasher- both in flower and leaf. Now it has learned how to flower it should do that for you each year.
Loved the trough with the Clematis, too.
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Clematis from Aberconwy too! Think I need a spare in case I lose that one!
Photo of George, Sam and myself - that's Sam being really generous giving me two of his plants. Wonder if I'll beat him with them one day!!
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Am I right in coming to the conclusion that Aberconwy don't have a web site let alone an email address? Have searched the web without success other than listings of them. Closest I've come is a plant list - no prices - on the RHS Plantfinder (always out of date in past experience). How can a business survive these days without a web site/email address? I bought some super plants from them yesterday, and they will be at Perth Show and would like to order more for collection there.
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Yes, Maureen, only way to order from Aberconwy is by a visit there - or you can place an order to be delivered to one of the many shows they attend. They don't do any mail order. They will send a list on application, of course.
Keith & Rachel Lever, Aberconwy Nursery, Graig, Glan Conwy LL28 5TL
Tel: 01492 580875
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Thanks, Maggi - their loss as I won't be able to get a list and order in time for delivery next Sat. Even if they take an order over the phone, I don't know what they have or their prices.
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What a shame - I expect they would have had lists on their stand at Edinburgh
Edit :
in fact they did- see in Stan's photo on page two of this thread - SRGC-srgc-edinburgh-057 just in front of Rachel
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Maureen they have neither Web Site nor email address (apart from Tim's private email address) and they survive because of the quality of their plants and the fact that because of the quality and diversity of the product we all want it.
I have a copy of their Spring List (we are having a few days in Llandudno in mid-May taking in Bodnant Garden and Aberconwy Nursery) that, in the next few days I shall be scanning for the benefit of others in our party, if you like I will send you a copy too but you will need to send me your email address If you want to phone them their number is 01492 580875.
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Thank you David. I will PM you my email address.
Maggi - I did look for catalogue/list but all I got was a leaflet with their address and phone number. Don't think with the info I want before ordering they would appreciate a phone call for the time they would have to spend on the phone. Are they coming to Glasgow on May 3 do you know? If so, then I do have time to ask for their list.
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Here is a pdf of the Aberconwy list- kindly sent by a chum - for anyone interested:
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Thanks for that Maggi, saves me scanning mine.
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Brilliant, thank you Maggi and 'chum' who provided it.
David - you can ignore the PM I sent you just before the link to the list appeared.
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Well, it would be nice if he'd sent some lamb-chops as well, but I'm grateful to Alan N. in Ponteland!
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Plants duly ordered from Aberconwy this morning for collection at Perth Show on Sat. So many thanks to Maggi, Alan and David for your help.
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Just been looking at pots that appear to be empty with a view to thinning out a bit :o :( and guess what I found? A nice juicy shoot from Ranunculus parnasifolius. I didn't even know I had bought it- got it in Czech Republic - and now I see what it can do I need some expert advice about how to grow it! Help!!
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As usual, the forum provides some answers - http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=601.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=601.0)
David S. finds it tricky, Magnar grows it happily outside .... and so on! Quite a few bits of advice there.
added:
Lori finds it hardy for her in Canada and most of our Scandanavian chums seem to grow it well outside - Hannelotte, for instance. Franz Hadacek grows it in his garden; Doreen Mear grows hers in a polystyrene trough in NZ - she wrote in the NARGS forum that " It seems to need lots of sun and lots of water though to stop it getting long and leggy."
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Trond Hoy is growing it on the roof of his shed : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10558.msg278478#msg278478 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10558.msg278478#msg278478)
Philippe grows it in the garden at Haute Chiltelet : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6206.msg279068#msg279068 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6206.msg279068#msg279068)
Michael C. grows it in Ireland : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10439.msg277735#msg277735 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10439.msg277735#msg277735) / http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10452.msg277966#msg277966 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10452.msg277966#msg277966)
oh, and did I mention Mr Ranunculus Booker?
- there are lots of lovely plants pictured in the forum so there should be lots of advice for you!
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Thanks Maggi, I'll go take a look. I really didn't know I'd bought this plant! And I certainly didn't know it was so revered when I did, must have caught my eye I suppose.... at Martin Brejnik's garden....
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Hi Chris,
I have five large pans of R. parnassifolia and a few pups. They all remain outside without cover all year (except when the flowers need protecting at show time). They accept whatever a Lancashire year throws at them weather wise and, providing you incorporate adequate drainage within the pot (with limestone chippings in my case), then they might be quite slow to put on girth but should reappear every year. The beautiful form that Sam Sutherland gained his Farrer Medal with (flushed pink and almost double flowers) is not the norm' - don't be disappointed if your plant doesn't quite match up to that. Good luck with it.
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Just what I wanted to know Cliff. I think I'll repot it after it's done it's thing and put a few lime chips in the mix to egg it on....
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'David S' suspects that he finds it tricky to grow because his garden is too dry!
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'David S' suspects that he finds it tricky to grow because his garden is too dry!
Well, David, if you will live up there in the Scottish "banana belt" ;D ;)
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Maggi, when we came home from Edinburgh the road into our village was just passable because of all the blown soil/sand/silt. It had already been ploughed and there were mountains of the stuff at the roadside. We understand that at one point on Saturday the road was closed because of conditions. That is the basic soil that we garden on and so, after many years and £££s spent at plant stalls I am finally learning to be more selective about what we try to grow.
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Good grief David! You must take a picture sometime, I had no idea of those conditions. Was the stuff blowing off farm land?
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That's bad news David - I know how prone that area is to these massive drifts of soil/sand but I didn't know it had been so bad lately.
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This normally happens in March, just after the neighbour has harrowed and seeded the field. For some fortunate reason the sand blows from right to left across the end of our garden and we get to view it but not receive the deposits. We live in an area known for arable cropping rather than livestock, therefore there is little muck to add humus and the fertilisation is purely chemical. The soil structures are crap! Whilst I add humus to our garden to improve the soil, as soon as I stop it rapidly reverts to the fine sands. Peter Korn would love it!
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Yes, Maggi, you're right. My wee rhododendron is megeratum 'Bodnant' - thanks to Aberconwy a few years ago. First time it has flowered.
And can I say a big thank you too for all the useful advice and help given to me by other exhibitors and organisers (and George too, of course!)
Oh my that megeratum has made my Spring despite standing on my head for an hour trying to read the label. I'd say that deserves the "bosker" descriptive. Now I wish I had hybridized with it.
johnw
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Sandy Leven's Edinburgh Show Report online now :
http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/5Edinburghshow2014.pdf (http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/5Edinburghshow2014.pdf)
the Perth Forrest report is on too:
http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/PerthForrest2014.pdf (http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/PerthForrest2014.pdf)
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May I just say that Sandy's comprehensive, beautifully illustrated and totally uplifting reports are as eagerly anticipated in our house as the monthly IRG … they are a slice of Scottish alpine atmosphere in a show season sandwich … many thanks sir, very much appreciated and enjoyed!!!! ;) ;) ;)
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I am sure Sandy will be very pleased to hear your comments, Cliff- but he is not in a position to thank you himself at the moment since he is off today to warmer climes to visit his little grandson 8)