The RHS London Plant and Design Show featured a wide range of beautiful plants, many of which were for sale. The event, 19-20 February, was also a chance to get advice from the specialists who were exhibiting.
The magnificent display of snowdrops from Avon Bulbs included many choice selections of these popular early flowering bulbs. Most are easily grown if left undisturbed in well-drained soil in sun or light shade.
Christine Skelmersdale of Broadleigh Gardens is a specialist bulb grower, selling a wide range of spring flowering plants, including cyclamen and hellebores, as well as narcissus and snowdrops.
Hamamelis x Intermedia ‘Aphrodite’ is an outstanding witch hazel, and one of 7,000 plants in the revised AGM plant list. Its spidery, orange flowers appear in the depths of winter and have a delicious citrus peel-like scent. It will grow in a well-drained position in fertile soil and is best in light shade.
Helleborus ‘Tutu’ is an appealing anemone-centred selection of Lenten rose displayed by W&S Lockyer. It is easily grown in shade and will flower for several months, the blooms held above evergreen foliage.
Sue and Bleddyn Wynn-Jones, international plant hunters and owners of specialist plant nursery Crug Farm Plants in Wales exhibited a range of choice and otherwise unavailable plants, many of which they introduced from the wild.
A double-flowered selection of Ranunculus montanus, shown by Hardys Cottage Garden Plants. This herbaceous plant has pom-pom-like flowers appearing atop stems to around 20 cm tall . It needs a spot in sun that does not get too dry or hot to thrive.
Rachel Carter makes interesting garden sculptures; here she is weaving an ornamental ball of willow - the willow stems are carefully threaded through a meshwork of steel, making lovely accents for home and garden.
Displayed by the Botanic Nursery, Lonicera elisae is a seldom-seen winter flowering honeysuckle which in time forms a twiggy shrub. The dainty flowers are sweetly scented. Give it a sheltered spot in sun or light shade and it will thrive.
The revised AGM list includes not only ornamental plants, but also a wide range of edible plants including roots crops including carrots and parsnips, as well as other vegetables and fruit.