Hardys Cottage Garden Plants Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’
I made a visit on the second day to The RHS Great London Plant Fair held in the Lindley and Lawrence Halls, Westminster. In very mild April temperatures and in contrast to last years show in late March when there was a biting chill and some snow still on the ground. With so much early Spring blossom already in full flow throughout the country purchases were easy to make rather than a what will I do with them whilst the ground thaws out worry.
Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’
Hardys Cottage Garden Plants always have a lovely stand, this year the most spectacular display of Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ en masse, underplanted with Geranium pyreniacum ‘Isparta’ and against the zingy green of a Euphorbia. This Geum is totally gorgeous!
Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’
Ranunculus montanus Double form
Another that went onto my wish list was Hardys Ranunculus montanus Double form. I need to find a more creative place to plant these small Ranunculus, away from large dog paws. This led me to D’Arcy & Everest and their stand of Alpine troughs, something to consider.
D’Arcy & Everest Alpine troughs
D’Arcy & Everest Sempervivum troughs
Across from Hardys in the Lawrence Hall the lovely W & S Lockyer stand, was full of Spring joy.
W & S Lockyer from Surrey
Amongst the Daffodils this Primula Gilded Gold, a real little stunner and on my wish list.
W & S Lockyer Primula Gilded Gold
Finally I was able to buy the Tunnel supports from Plant Belles (they had sold out at the last RHS show) and are now installed on my veg plot, after an interesting journey home on the train.
Plant Belles Stand
Plant Belles Tunnel support
The display of Tulips from H.W Hyde & son was still looking fresh despite two warm show days. The Lingerie Tulip was eye catching, too sugary for me to grow at home, but really very pretty.
H.W Hyde & son Lingerie
After a visit to the Lindley Hall and distracted by the talks and some seed purchases from Beans and Herbs, I headed over to visit the Garden Museum, having read the blog of digwithdorris and her visit. Its a 20 minute walk from The Horticultural halls, crossing the Lambeth Bridge and sited next to Lambeth Palace on the South Bank of the Thames.
The Garden Museum
The Garden Museum
The Garden Museum was set up in 1977 in St Mary’s church, once abandoned and now lively and home to a wealth of information, check their website out for a whole list of interesting eye openers, as Dorris (her given nickname!) reports they are currently holding an Exhibition – Gardens and Fashions, which is running until Sunday April 27th. The RHS are holding a new show this year – the Alpine Show, also on April 27th. A combined ticket for both shows through the RHS is just £4 for members £9 for non members. The Garden Museum are holding their Spring Plant Sale on the same day, choose to go there and miss the RHS show and entry is £5 for everyone, including the Garden and Fashion exhibition. Bargain!
