RHS Spring Flower Show Cardiff 2006

[Jaxom]

Here are some photos from todays show. Once I have got them on the boards I will post a write up.
Jax

[nick the grief]

Looks Good Jax, Was the 3rd one the National Chrysanth Society?

[Jaxom]

The RHS Spring Flower Show in Cardiff this weekend was a venue well worth a visit. The weekend was dry with warm sunshine to help everything go just right. I had chosen to go on the last day of the show, Easter Monday. This was my first ever RHS show so I didn’t know what to expect. I have seen Chelsea on the TV but knew there would be no comparisons to be drawn, as this was the second show held in Cardiff. Last years show was the first.
Cardiff is a new capital city, 2005 was its 50th anniversary. Last year Cardiff won the Britain in Bloom “Best large city” title. This year Cardiff is the only City to be representing the UK in the “Entente Florale” competition this year, so fingers crossed for Gold in Europe.
The show was held in Bute Park next to Cardiff Castle. Like many of Cardiff’s parks it was created by a family of gardeners called the Pettigrews who worked for the Marquess of Bute. The Park itself is an arboretum and the Taff River runs along side.
The show ground itself consisted of two floral marquees, a food pavilion showcasing Welsh foods, wines and produce as well as a bandstand, show gardens craft stands and an area for talks and demonstrations.
Of the show gardens one caught my eye and that was the “South Rise Leisure Gardeners Society”. The South Rise is a Cardiff Allotment that has a total of seventy full size plots in total. Some plots are split up in to smaller sections for people who are not able to keep a full one going.
Last year they entered a garden to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the war which seems to have been a common theme up and down the country. This year however they produced a vegetable garden that was bang up to date for the 21st century with raised beds and companion planting. In the shed behind the plot there were a number of allotment members with information on all of Cardiff’s various allotments. I was able to come away with a list of all the allotments that have vacancies on them. One allotment even runs trips to France. Now that’s what I call up to date.
Most of the stalls had plants for sale and there were a lot of good bargains to be had. I bought some wonderful pelargoniums, which I am going to nurture and take cuttings of.
The smell in the marquees of the flowers was wonderful. There is something about walking round inside a canvas tent where the grass has been trod for a day or two, which takes me back to my childhood.
This visit has wetted my appetite for more Flower Shows, so I am now looking at the list of others being held this year and wondering which I may go to.

[Jaxom]

Nick, the fourth one was Devine Nurseries. I asume you mean that one as it is the only photo with Chrysanth flowers in?
Jax

[plot 11 pam]

Is anyone going to the malvern show in may? I am going on the 12th may, any hope of meeting up with any grapeviners? pam. e mail me astburyp99@hotmail.com

[nick the grief]

Sorry Jax, yes it was - must learn to count some day

"......I was able to come away with a list of all the allotments that have vacancies on them....."

Does this mean the Mighty Jax is going to think about joining the ranks of the plotters

[Jaxom]

Not on your nelly Nick. I love my garden. It is heaven itself. It beats me why people pay good money to go on holiday when they can enjoy their garden....Oh just remembered my garden is the best in the world so I now feel sympathy for all the poor peeps with out my little oasis to sit in.
Jax
ps I got the list so I could post the information on our Allotment finding section here on the Vine.

[nick the grief]

Ah i see. Thought you were up for a plot for a bit!