Late Spring Show held at Myddelton House on 30th April 2011

As webmaster, my job is to highlight the triumphs of the other exhibitors as well as show photos of their entries. Things went a bit awry at this show as I seem to have taken the most points - I doubt it will happen again too soon!

The strange weather at the start of the year continued to produce surprises with the driest April on record. The warm spell had caused many of the Standard Dwarf Bearded iris to flower early and instead of them being a mainstay of the show, they were almost completely abscent. However, as always there was a range of irises on display.

Chris Towers exhibited Starwoman. This is an intermmediate iris and notable for having won the American Dykes Medal in 2008, a medal usually always won by Tall Bearded iris.

Sidney Linnegar exhibited a new introduction from Graham Grosvenor in Australia, 'Peter's Virginia'. This was put forward for consideration to the Iris Sub-Committee that meets on show days and it was agreed that it be recommended for inclusion in the next Wisley Tall Bearded trial scheduled to start in 2012. If you would like a seedling considered for inclusion, please do get in contact and bring it to the next show (details below).

At this show the talk was by Andrew Turvey, the Head Gardener at Myddelton House and was followed by a guided tour of the garden. Andrew showed where the National Collection of Dykes Medal Winning irises were to be replanted in front of the new glass house. But the feature that most visitors will treasure was the 108 year old wisteria which was in full flower and resting amid a nearby conifer (see top middle photo).

The next show is on 28th & 29th May at the Hillside Event Centre, RHS Wisley and open to the public between 12.00-4.00pm. Please do come and say hello. The talk at 2pm on the Saurday is 'From Cloudline to Laborotory - a look at species iris' to be given by Anne Blanco White. This is a rare chance to hear Anne talk about her favourite subject. Her knowledge and experience is well known. Entrance is free to everyone (though normal RHS Wisley entry charges apply). See you there.....

Alun Whitehead