How to improve your chances at Flower Shows and Plants for Shade

Presentation:  Improve your chances at Flower Shows

 John Freer

The multi-prizewinning and knowledgeable John Freer showed us the best way to stage exibits to improve your chances of winning at Flower Shows.

John passed on invaluable tips such as bringing a wet and dry cloth to ensure your vase is clean, place pot plants on a saucer and label your entries where the judges and public can see.

He had various other implements in his box of tricks to achieve the first prize, leaving us well prepared to enter Friday Forum’s own Spring Mini Show on April 5^th or Paxton Spring Show on March 30^th.

Plants for Shade

We had many books and articles with information about plants to suit the shady areas of our gardens.

 Carole’s Leucothoe axil Curly Red

 

Jenny’s Rohdea japonica, related to the Aspidistra 

Jenny’s tried and test Ground cover for shade: Jenny’s container includes symphytum hidcote pink and blue, pachyphragma macrophyllum, Trachystemon orientalis

Other plants recommended by Jenny for shade include: maianthemum bifolium with its heart shaped leaves, Beesia calthifolia, Euphorbia robbiae, Gunnera manicato, Astilboides tabularis, Geranium nodosum Blueberry Ice, white vinca, Wood anemones, Ferns and Hepatica.

Janellarecommended  Viburnum tinus,  Ivy, Holly, Skimmia, Sarcococca confusa, Pachysandra, Lamium galeobdolon yellow archangel, Euonymus emerald and gold, Pulmonaria officinalis and Vinca

Other members cited  Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum', Hosta Halcyon, Brunnera Jack Frost, and Foxgloves

 

 

Sue G – not particularly shade loving but will grow in spring deciduous trees:

Pulmonaria Opal, Silver Bouquet, diana clare and Victorian Brooch, Erythronium, Epimedium, Pteridophyllum racemosum, Glaucidium palmatum

Display Table

 All these are blooming in Ann's garden now.  Sadly I forgot to pick up the list which Ann obligingly draws up for me

 Jerry’s Spiraea 

 

Judith’s Tulips The First

 Judith's Tulips an hour later!

Variegated wallflowers

 Sue G Anemone Pavonina which is a meadow type requiring full sun

 

Gill’s container includes Daffy Peeping Tom,  the fragrant winter flowering Honeysuckle, Allium paradoxum normale, Skimmia Kew Beauty, white Pulmonaria, Pachyphragma, Vinca illumination, Cyclamen coum, Cardamine, Pieris

Notice Board

A plant sale is being held on the afternoon of 30^th March, after Paxton Spring Flower Show

Dorothy has made a request for plants which could be brought to the preceding meeting (15th March) or on the day of the sale.

 

Next Meeting

15th March:  Presentation by Phil Gomersall BEM on Creating an Allotment Show Garden and what the President gets up to!