The move

During early January In only two days, the Gardens team had to transfer the entire plant collection from the three 1950's glasshouses, which stand just north of the potting shed, into our new glasshouse range . This was a mammoth task, with the added pressure of making the move before the gas from the old glasshouses was disconnected.

Many of you you will know how large our succulent collection is, in particular the larger Agaves. The first challenge was lifting these large plants, and the second was trying to get them through the doors.

First place

Last Saturday I took a beautiful pot of Galanthus ‘E. A. Bowles’ to the Harlow Alpine Society Early Spring Flower Show held at Mark Hall School, Harlow.

We left Myddelton just before 8am, driving gingerly with our prized possession in the passenger footwell, with me holding it firmly over every bump in the road.  Upon arrival it was lovely to have the number of other exhibitors stopping us, to look at the snowdrop.

Galanthus ‘E. A. Bowles’

This was the first time I had attended this show and was most impressed with the wider range of vendors and exhibitors. The show was held within the main gymnasium of the school.  This was also the first time I've entered a plant at a Alpine Society show. Although nervous, I was made to feel most welcome and assisted in entering the show.  

We settled on class 70: a bulbous pan under 19 cm diameter. Once staged we left the plant for judging. When I returned I was completely blinkered to all the other displays. I was trying to see from a distance if we had been placed within the class. There were a number of people gathered in front of the table. So upon tip toes I peered over to see that we had won first place!

Myddelton House Gardens worked alongside Joe Sharman from Monksilver Nursery to display this marvellous pot. We used one of the hand-thrown terracotta pots which have been made for the garden by West Meon Pottery, Hampshire, and has 'E. A Bowles' embossed on the side of the pot.

Galanthus ‘E. A. Bowles’

James English Wins Eastern Regional Finial of the Young Horticulturist of The Year

James English our HBGBS trainee gardener this year has entered into the Young Horticulturist of The Year competition organised by the Institute of Horticulture. James has already won his heats earlier this month.  Last night I travelled up to Blooms of Bressingham Norfolk to surprise him as he competed in the eastern regional final. I am delight to say that James won in impressive style.  James will now progresses to the grand final held this year at the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh in early May. This is a fantastic achievement and we wish him all the help and support for the big day.   

James secound from the Left in the heat of the competition

For more information on the competition please click on the link below

http://www.horticulture.org.uk/page.php?pageid=562

James English pictured with regional sponsor David Clark