RHS London Plant and Design show – Horticulture Halls 14/15th Feb 2012

Not having been to this RHS showbefore I was delighted to find out it was free to members, I knew that membership card would come in handy one day. Half term is not the best time to be schlepping down to the Big Smoke on the first ‘off peak’ train but beggars can’t be choosers I suppose. The London gridlock was much much worse than I recall, according to our cabbie it’s all in preparation for the July Olympics. Seriously Boris? isn’t this a bit ‘day late $ dollar short?’

Plant Hall at RHS London Plant and Design show

We made it through the traffic and arrived at the packed show which is located on two sites close together. It works quite well, the hubbub of the jostling plant sales hall versus the slightly more silent and serious hum of the design rooms. Starting in the plant hall I was immediately floored by the rows and rows of gorgeous spring plants that are available and had to put my purse firmly at the bottom of my bag.

Ashwood Nursery Garden Hybrid - Variety names no longer feature on labels, which will be confusing for buyers

The show could feasibly be renamed, the Galanthus and Hellebore show for indeed these varieties were being shown off to their full capacity with block after block of delicate bloom tempting one and all. Avon Bulbs, Ashwood. Foxgrove Plants and Broadleigh Gardensto name a few of the participating nurseries. It was fun to get up close and personal with one or two of the Galanthus without having to grovel about on the muddy ground. I will admit to something along the lines of galanthophile envy at the range and clump size displayed.

Galanthus 'Wendy's Gold'

The Design Hall was awash with colleges vying for new students and industry bodies selling their expertises. The SGD hosted a HUGE stand offering a showcase of MSGD’s work and offering quick, free garden design consults to all comers. It was exciting to see the photoshopped illustrations of the upcoming Chelsea Gardens and it looks to be another good year in 2012. Personal favourites were Laurent Perrier Garden by Arne Maynard. Is that a brown or purple pleached alle we are going to see I wonder? and  The Telegraph Garden by Sarah Price of Olympic Park renown.

A fine lunch followed at the Blanche eatery, not a stones throw along Horseferry Road from the Channel 4 building and a quick jaunt around the British Museum foyer, due to the Grayson  Perry exhibition being entirely sold out!

Timeless and elegant architecture at the British Museum

Galanthus – more on the imminent SNOWDROP season

Since my last slightly concerned post about my  teeny ‘collection’ of the White Gold they have finally begun to spring forth to much excitement and daily watching, although this fails to assist them in growing any faster, for a week or so it will entertain me at least! No flowers yet but nice healthy looking leaves.

I realise there won’t be such a great showing of snowdrop-ery so am planning visits to gardens with an overabundance. As a public service announcement I thought I might also announce some of the Snowdrop days I’ve found. Of course there will be other things to spy in the gardens now such as Hellebore and look out for Hamamelis and Daphne too.

For opening times please check the garden website, they usually open on reduced hours at this time of year due to light restrictions.

Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge – 23-26 Feb, follow their blog to find out upto date info 

Bennington Lordship, Stevenage – 4th-26th Feb (4-10 free for RHS members!) 100′s of varieties.

Brandy Mount,Hampshire – National collection holders for snowdrops and Daphne and in it’s final year of opening to the public, open days are on 8, 11,12,19th Feb

Chelsea Physic garden – 4th-12th Feb, normally closed to the public

Colesbourne, Gloucestershire – all weekends in Feb and first weekend in March

Coton Manor, Nothants – mor for Hellebore than Snowdrops but they do have Snowdrops!

Easton Lodge, Essex – 19th Feb, Snowdrop Sunday

Easton Walled Gardens, Lincolnshire – 18-26th Feb, there is also a photographic workshop for those keen on capturing these beauties on film (or digital!)

Hodsock, Nottinghamshire – 4th Feb – 4th March, in 2012 celebrating 25 years showing off their snowdrops.

Heale Gardens, Somerset – 5, 12th Feb for a snowdrop extravaganza

Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum, Essex – Snowdrop weekends 10-12th Feb, 17-19th Feb, 24-26th Feb, Hamamelis and hellebores

Painswick, Gloucestershire – Mid Jan- end Feb

Rodmarton Manor, Gloucestershire – 5, 12, 16 and 19th Feb

Snape Cottage, Dorset-  25-26th Feb, 100′s of varieties

Steve Owen – A new national collection holder is having his first open day, Saturday  25th February, 127 Stoke Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2SR.

Waterperry Gardens, Oxford – Snowdrop event 18/19th Feb and 25/26th Feb

Welford Park, Berkshire – 26th Jan-4th March

And for  more on Hellebore events an old article from the Telegraph identifies some great places to see them – beats cutting out newspaper clippings to store in an old file !