AGS Essex group show=Rawreth 26-04-14

Thats great pcw, well done, really pleased for you, I have just started an Alpine collection they are so dainty and very pretty all of them, Bjs kindly sent me some as well, they are my treasures and I'm guarding them daily..
Have to say mine is for my own enjoyment, would never have the nerve to put anything in a show even if it was only local as you described it, you must have been ecstatic especially as it was your first showing,bet you fair danced out of there, lol. Brian will be pleased for you as well, thankyou for sharing your day and your photo's...

What fun, congratulations to Team Goy ........

Yes Lincslass I am thrilled for Phil It is a little daunting showing the first time, but a first prize as well, almost as exciting as seeing West Ham win.lol (and as rare)
As for your pictures they look fine to me these venues are often a problem to take good photos in.
The Shortia is nice a real woodlander, tried it once many years ago but did not settle this one Sheila and Angie should do well with.
B

Well done pcw :) I was just admiring Sheila's P. rusbyi on her blog last week. Thanks also for taking the time to share the pictures. The little trough of woodlanders is right up my street!

You know Brian, I fell in love with the Shortia as soon as I saw it. This is a new one on me. Of course had to nip to Binny's site to see if they stock, no luck!! Hopefully can source it a Hopetoun. I noticed the Soldanella type flowers before I read the name, I must be learning something :)

Well done, PCW, a nice little collection of plants. As I look into my crystal ball I now see you entering classes in your local show for the next two or three years before you decide to have a go in the neighbouring national show. Then WOW, off you go - hooked for life and, one day, to be up with the 'big boys'!

Anyone with eagle eyes will see I misnamed the Shortia.It should be S.soldanelloides.
Lincslass,if your that way inclined,just pop along to the Lincs group,there must be one.If it's anything like ours,the members will be very friendly and helpful.You get talks by knowledgeable people and there will be expert growers there.We have a mini show,where one of our members,who judged the main show,talks through the plants.There's a plant raffle and sales.
Either way,the AGS website,alpinegardensociety.net,is a good place to start.You can see the results of the shows around the country,past and present complete with quality photos.
Bulba-The early spring show at Harlow(40 minutes away) is already pencilled in for next year,also the Kent one a couple of weeks later,plants permitting,of course.
I was a visitor at Harlow this year,but wasn't able to enter due to other comittments.I'm sure though that the one plant I had worthy of entry,a small Dionysia,would have beaten the class winner.Rose tinted specs I suppose,though!
By the way,only the Primula and 3 pan entry are mine.I did enter some others,an Anchusa,a Salvia a Salix and an Acis.
Brian,my main hope is to grow on some of your Primulas to a show standard.Especially your own Stradbrook ones.It would be nice for people to be able to see more of them.

Lincslass,I forgot to say.The Scottish Rock Garden Club website is an excellent source for Knowledge and plant photos.

Being in Scotland I have to agree with Pcw's last statement about the SRGC web site. As he says, all the 'big boys' made that first step once upon a time. Whilst not being very 'big' Mg and myself made the step many years ago and are now show secretaries for one of the SRGC national shows.

Well done Pcw. The P.rusbyi is a very nice plant. I too got one from Bjs. I was planning to put it out in the alpine bed but I might just pot it on with a view to showing it next year. I am glad you have taken the plunge. I have never shown at SRGC shows but I have been a winner of several classes in our own village show and made it to show champion once. Pleased as I was at winning, I think the information you share with others is even more of a bonus. As you and Bb say there is plenty of encouragement to participate and lots of support for and from other participants. The clematis which beat your 3 in a class is a stunner. Did you get its name by any chance.

The low growing clematis is Clematis marmoraria. It is evergreen and originates from New Zealand. A great rockery plant that does well for us in Scotland.

Thank you Bb.

SG and BB.I think it's the variety 'Lunar Lass',which derives fro the NZ species.I think marmoraria doesn't trail like this.

I googled both and was directed back to GOY. Owdboggy had both up as photos taken at an AGS show dated 17 Feb. 2010. Many of the images googled came up some with 4 or 5 petals/sepals and others with many more s/p. It is confusing and seems there could be a lot of mis named plants around.

Pcw, it does actually trail unless it is trained up a structure.

BB.I've grown (and killed) C.marmoraria but only one with short stems.Looking on the AGS encyclopaedia,they show 2 different photos,one of which is trailing,but with smaller flowers.I think that is the female plant,while the other is male.If I can remember at the next meeting,I'll ask the owner.