RHS Malvern Autumn Show

Well despite being born and raised in Malvern, yesterday was the first time I had been to any of the shows at the Three Counties Showground. My mum tells me that I was taken to the Three Counties Show at the age of about two but I don't think that really counts!

 

The Malvern Hills provide a beautiful and dramatic backdrop to the event, though on a dull day they can look quite foreboding!

There were a few people who I follow on Twitter who were exhibiting at the show so I was hoping to meet them face to face. My first port of call was the Good Life Pavillion and as I arrived I bumped into Martin Gee, Head Gardener at Weston Park. It was lovely to see him but I was acutely aware that I haven't visited the gardens for some months. Hopefully I will be able to get there and capture some of the promised spectacular autumn colour in the next few weeks. Moments after parting company with Martin I then bumped into the lovely Sarah and William Wint. If you use Twitter you will find Sarah there as @nicelittleplace. Well worth a follow! They have a lovely B and B tucked away in the Worcestershire countryside.

The first tweeting exhibitors I found were The Cottage Herbery. They won a Silver-Gilt Medal for their fabulous giant trug.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, there was nobody on the stand when I arrived so I was not able to say hello. Hopefully another time.

 

 

 

I loved this display by the 3 Shires Garden Centre at Newent in Gloucestershire.

 



The kale just looked fantastic! They grabbed themselves a Bronze Flora Award for their exhibit 'Discovering Brasicas'. You can find them on Twitter as @3ShiresGC.















Also in the Good Life Pavillion was a cookery demonstration by the rather dashing chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

 

 

 

 

 

 From the Good Life Pavillion I then set off in search of fellow Plant Photographer and Tweeter Ian Thwaites but before I got to him I found this garden which drew a lot of attention. This is a permanent feature at the showground and was built by Alchemy Gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then on to resume my search for Ian. I soon found him as his stand was right at the entrance to the craft market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ian had a lovely display of prints, canvases and greeting cards but the thing that I really loved were the coasters he had made, particularly the ones of cactii and succulents which worked really well. I now have one on my desk!

 

 

 

After a lovely chat with Ian I then found my way into the Flower Show Halls. I was still looking for my final Tweeter, Plantagogo.  I was particularly keen to see their stand as I had picked a up a tweet earlier which said they had struck gold!

 

 

It wasn't long before I found them and their fantastic display of heucheras.

 

 

 

 

 

They are having an open day at their nursery in a week or so's time so I am hoping to be able to visit as it transpires that they are only half an hour's drive away from home.

 

It was in these halls that I then came across another tweeter, Aberglasney Gardens. After a short visit to their stand the gardens are definitely on my 'must do' list.

 

 

 

 

 

I might even manage to get to their Winter Fair.

 

 

 

A final quick dash around the halls to see the splendid displays of flowers and veg.

 

I was particulary struck with this dahlia 'Purple Lace'

 

Some amazing vegetables on show. Don't think I'll be getting anything like this anytime soon off my allotment!

 

 

 

And finally it was time to head for the exit but not before having a quick look at the dog agility competition and saying hello to a rather magnificent female Harrier Hawk.