Compared to Chelsea and Hampton court, shows in the RHS halls in Victoria are small, almost intimate affairs and I love them for this. It’s the sweet spring scent that first hits you as you enter Lawrence hall, then as you hone in on the plants, it’s the details of all the different cultivars that lure you in. Choice nurseries from all over the country have their finest plants (and wares) on show and I have to admit being instantly smitten by this whopper of a snowdrop, Galanthus elwesii ‘Millers Late’ on the Harveys stand (@£16 a pop). Friend Catherine is holding a smaller (nivalis sized-ish) snowdrop next to it to give some idea of scale. Most of the snowdrops here are varieties you’ll never see in garden centres and they’re an absoute joy to behold.
Another beauty that caught my eye is Crocus korolkowii on the HW Hyde & son nursery stand and it’s definitely on my list for next year. Looks like it clumps up beautifully too.
Now I’ve bought natty metal hoops from Plant Belles before to make a cloche to wrap up my winter veg, and they’ve worked really well. This time I was on the lookout for supports for slightly floppy Dahlias and the Sidney support at 87cm tall, 46cm wide (bottom left of pic) should hopefully fit the bill. I also have a client with a rather untoward climbing rose in the middle of a large bed and I’ve been hunting around for a tall support that I can wrap the rose around, inspired by the rose training at Notre-Dame Prieure D’Orsan in France. Always keen to help, Jenny at Plant Belles has been asked by another designer to develop a taller version(1.5-2m?) of their wider (74cm) George support (at back of pic), so looking forward to seeing what she produces for both us later in the season (will keep you posted on this). I can’t wait to start experimenting!
As Clive commented on in my previous post, Jaques Amand’s reticulata Irises were absolutely gorgeous. Plant breeder Alan McMurtrie was over from Toronto, generously sharing information on the new cultivars he had developed alongside Dutch bulb growers.
Iris histriodes ‘George’ seemed to glow in the light,
and the two-tone blues of Clairette were very appealing.
The softer tones of Frank Elder however finally won me over,
until I espied Storm
and the more subtle tones and slightly torn looking petals of I. ‘Sea Green’. George, Clairette and Frank Elder will be in the Jacques Amand autumn bulbs catalogue and I’m in the process of checking whether ‘Sea Green’ and ‘Storm’ will be available too. Will let you know. Hope so!
And finally, these lovely shiny bronze (94%copper) tools from Implementations had ‘buy me’ written all over them. The tool heads come with a 25 year guarantee (tool shafts 2 years) and according to their brochure their sharp edges stay sharp. I thought the pointier of the trowels looked fantastic for bulb planting, and was very tempted by the hoe. This has sharp edges back and front of the head, so it will cut through weeds when you both push and pull. As I get more into ‘no dig’, this seems like a perfect tool to keep weeds down and copper tools, allegedly, deter slugs and snails too. Now firmly on my birthday list!
These ‘small’ shows are such a treat. You have the opportunity to chat and buy plants and tools from some wonderful growers and makers from all over the country, right there on your doorstep, and I for one can’t wait for the next RHS show on 14-15th April.
Out of my shed 
Beautiful plants and interesting tools. Thank you. 🙂
Hi Judy, Glad you like the post. I love this show as it’s so easy to pop into (only 7 stops on the tube for me!) and the quality of plants is always stunning. Great for nursery starved Londoners!
So many beautiful plants and so nice to see after this bitter winter. Surely spring really is just around the corner!
Hi Caele, been out rose pruning today. Quite bitter still, so spring not quite there yet!
Your blog was a little bit of spring for me. I live in Switzerland and we are still surrounded by snow and very much in the grip of winter. How lovely to be able to share the Show with you. Thank you.
Hi Linda, glad you enjoyed the post. However, I was just wishing for a bit of snow yesterday as we’ve only seen a very light dusting this year in London. The grass is always greener!
I’m so glad that Alan’s irises are moving to become more available in the trade. He has so many beautiful crosses that I would love to by more than just one or two of, which is usually all I can afford!
Hi Susan, Frank Elder (Pale Blue) and Clairette (two tone pale and mid blue) cultivars should be available in large numbers in autumn from Jaques Amand, but waiting to hear about Storm (faded dusky blue) and Sea Green. Will add some more pics and idea of prices when I hear…. V.best Naomi
I’ve only been to the early RHS show a couple of times Naomi and was bowled over by the scent on entering the hall both times. The warmth must enhance it. Oh I do like the look of iris ‘Sea Green’ – fingers crossed that it is for sale this autumn.
Hi Anna, yes, the scent is really magical, especially after the long winter (spent mostly indoors in my case!). Still waiting to hear back about Sea Green. Was definitely the one for me!
It looks like a lovely event. I love sturdy snowdrops and the different cultivars of iris are spectacular. There’s so much detail in each small petal. You’ve made me wish I’d been there!
Hi Susan, there’s always next year! (or the next show in April!)