April so it must be Harrogate Spring Show

Mixed weather this weekend for Bishop Auckland's Food Festival but, I'm delighted to report, that Thursday was glorious down at Harrogate for the Spring Show. Dressed suitably for the projected rain, by lunchtime we were stripped off down to t-shirts and basking in welcome sunshine as we ate our toasted sandwiches and watched the gardening world go by.

Veggie owl

 (The only disappointing part of the whole day was the dearth of vegetarian food. Vans selling veggie and nut burgers no longer make an appearance and we are resigned to the ubiquitous cheese sandwich- with or without onions. Organisers please note!)

The Flower Hall did not disappoint and despite avowing I wouldn't buy any plants before the Botanic Garden Plant Sale on Sunday 11th May, I succumbed. I even went back to purchase a clematis I'd had my eye on only to find I was too late, they'd sold out on the first day. A lesson for us all in not procrastinating. Even so, I was happy with my purchases - an unusual lavender and a delighful  woodland plant I'd not seen before, together with an assortment of summer-flowering bulbs for pots.

I was also tempted by a tree nymph-like piece of driftwood which will form part of the stumpery I'm hoping to erect - if the Prince of Wales can have one then so can Gillian Wales.

Euphorbia and flowering currant

In Pablo's Garden there's still lots to do -  annual tidying of the borders is still not finished - but I did manage to place stakes ready to tie in leggy perennials. The trees have finally had a trim back and part of the high fence which decided to lie down and die has  been resurrected. Both were large tasks that de-motivated me from gardening proper but now I'm full of enthusiasm and raring to go. Both the quince tree and the apricot which should have been a medlar have flowered so fingers crossed for a fruitful summer.


 I just need the sun to shine.

Harrogate Spring Flower Show

The rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the keen gardeners who did attend the eagerly-awaited spring horticultural show. We always arrive early on the first day – Thursday – and recover from the drive by stopping off at Cripple Valley Golf Club, adjacent to the show ground, for breakfast before launching ourselves into the main flower hall. 

Tulips en masse

The variety and splendour of the exhibits takes one's breathe away!  

Clematis alpina

Despite the difficulties this spring in ensuring plants were in peak condition, the displays were as magnificent as ever. 

Exactly how the exhibitors manage to ensure that the plants are in perfect condition always amazes me. There were varieties of clematis alpina with their fairy-bonnet flowers cheek-by-jowl with the magnificent crown fritillarias together with tulips in a madcap variety of shape and colour.

 

Crown fritillarias

Varieties of tomatoes

The vegetable displays both put my allotment to shame yet at the same time inspire me to do better. My tomato seedlings are only just visible in the greenhouse whereas those at Harrogate were ripe enough to eat there and then. 

 

A cornucopia of vegetables

 

Despite not needing to buy any plants, I did manage 

to discover a few that I thought would enhance  Pablo’s garden – mainly plants for dry shade – together with a pygmy water lily for my tiny pond which was an early birthday present to me from my friend Terry.
 

You've heard of  'roses grow on you'...

If only the rain would cease I could get planting, inspired by this chap who may, however,  be taking his carbon footprint a step too far!