A little look at the 2016 London RHS Early Spring Show

Walking through Pimlico and the outskirts of Westminster, after crossing Vauxhall Bridge (see the Duck tours amphibious vehicle), heading towards Vincent Square and the horticultural halls hosting the first of the RHS London Shows this year….

The RHS Early Spring Show

Beautiful blue skies and bright sunshine (yesterday), the first day of the show. Magnolias in bloom in the houses around the very large and grassy Vincent Square (the RHS Lindley Library has its home) and some rather lovely houses too.

The rather splendid Lawrence Hall, completed in 1928, with this vaulted ceiling (parabolic arches no less) and wealth of Art Deco features – and home for this past two days to the first of the calendar of London shows from the RHS – the Early Spring Show.

While there is a wide variety of seasonal plants on show (above, some of them at least, with special mention to Broadleigh Gardens, D’Arcy & Everest Alpines, Dibleys Nurseries, Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants), and much, much to be admired, for me the snowdrops and dwarf iris were the stars – particularly from Avon Bulbs and Jacques Armand International – hence the two rather larger galleries which follow –

Iris first, from Jacques Armand International –

Where there is just a code, those specimens have yet to be graced with a name – presumably still in trials?

Meanwhile, in the Snowdrop camp – Galanthus of several ilk – these pictures mostly from the Avon Bulbs exhibit –

LINKS

Particular note to Avon Bulbs (Snowdrops)  and Jacques Armand International (Iris)

https://www.avonbulbs.co.uk/

http://www.jacquesamandintl.com/home

https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-london-shows/rhs-london-early-spring-plant-fair

A list of the exhibitors …

https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/pdf/rhs-london-shows/early-spring-plant-fair/Exhibitors-Early-Spring-Plant-Fair

and the awards …

https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/pdf/rhs-london-shows/early-spring-plant-fair/RHS-Ldn-Early-Spring-Plant-Fair-2016-awards

How to grow …

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/3296957/How-to-grow-Reticulate-irises.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/3340259/On-the-spot.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningadvice/11074315/Miniature-bulbs-how-to-grow-tiny-dancers-for-your-garden.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/how-to-grow/the-best-snowdrop-varieties-for-your-garden/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/6931418/How-to-grow-snowdrops.html

(from the Telegraph – home of great gardening writing and my go-to place for readable, enjoyable and first class advice...)

The next event in the RHS London Calendar is the Spring Plant Extravaganza on the 1st and 2nd April – though I’ll be at a wedding in Chichester – so will rely on instagram and the twitterverse to keep me abreast of goings on –

https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-london-shows/rhs-london-spring-plant-extravaganza