Hampton Court Palace was started in 1514 by Cardinal Wolsey and finished about 1526, it was said to rival the palace of Henry VIII in London very closely, so in 1530 Henry had Wolsey's head lopped off Hampton Court thereby passing into his hands. Steeped in history and containing many fine artifacts with magnificent gardens of historical design, large parklands and of course the famous maze make this place well worth a visit by themselves but the addition of this now well known flower show makes it unmissable.
Hampton Court Flower Show, now in its 10th year, is the world's largest annual gardening event and rivals Chelsea. With 25 acres of displays, marquees, show gardens and many other attractions make this event truly a magnificent day out. Day out? You could spend a week there and still not see everything. My wife Mavis and I parked our car a few miles away and stepped on the courtesy bus that deposited us by the station just across the river. Deciding not to join the vast queues of people streaming across the bridge we boarded a small riverboat that ferried us down to the river gate of Hampton Court. The soft chugging of the engine and gentle lapping of the water against the side made a pleasant prelude and finale to the whole day.
Before I start a few words about the awards system. The Tudor Rose Awards were given to the best gold medal exhibits in each section. The George Cooke Memorial Award was given to the show garden judged to be most original and innovative. The Royal Horticultural Society's awards are Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver and Bronze medals. Since we are OrchidSafari Chat I will start with the plants we all love the most?
Burnham Nurseries, Ltd. of Newton Abbot, Devon, one of the leading suppliers in the UK, were awarded a Silver Medal but to me their stand appeared to be a jumble, nothing standing out. Although their plants were of a very high quality with some gorgeous blooms, I had to look for them. Lc Quo Vadis 'Floralia', Odontocidium Golden Trident with Odontioda Samares round the bottom and Dendrobium Trakool were worth looking at.
McBean's Orchids of Lewes, Sussex, was given a Silver Gilt Medal well earned but should, in my opinion, been higher. Their whole stand appeared so clean and tidy in comparison to the last one. The black background was definitely a major distraction making photography rather difficult. It was beautifully arranged and clearly set out, the plants easy to see and photograph. PhalaenopsisGrand City x Sussex Pearl was one of the many good phals.
OrchidAnswers, Ltd., of Almodington, West Sussex, (see views of the stand 1 & 2) a relatively new firm owned and run by Ray Bilton is rapidly gaining ground on the others, now here with a big bang. Gaining a well deserved Gold Medal and the title Most Original and Innovative Floral Marquee Display. Beautifully put together, all the plants raised on their own stands of varying height set off by a white gravel base. The orchids themselves were of the very best quality with some supurb flowers. Mainly laid out with some magnificent Phalaenopsis interlaced with some gorgeous other varieties. I spoke with Ray and described our little group, telling him what I was doing. He was very interested and gave me some advice on my cymbidiums allowing a discount on a lovely Lc Angel Love. Must try that again! Plants of note were *Disa uniflora, Miltonia Zoro, Doritaenopsis City Girl (magnificent close up), Rossioglossum Rawdon Jester, Oncidium Sweet Sugar and Phalaenopsis Malibu Thrill.
Rainforest Belize of Hornchurch in Essex, suppliers of tropical plants. This display was set up to heighten the awareness of and subsequent conservation of Belizean and rainforest plant species, inviting donations. It was well put together, giving a taste of plant life on the jungle floor, featuring some plants of Encyclia cochleata. It only gained a Bronze floral medal.
Glasgow City Council. A floral display using water, foliage and flowering plants to depict Glasgow 1999, UK City of Architecture & Design. They put on a marvelous display of begonias and Phalaenopsis hybrids of yellows & creams, some with purple lips set tastefully amidst an array of ferns with a light silhouette of Glasgow city skyline set against a darkened background, earning themselves a Silver flora medal. Sorry folks, no pictures, I ran out of film at this point. Two rolls were not enough.
The major attraction is The British Rose Festival which has it's own 300 ft floral marquee. A spectacular display laid out to a co-ordinated design by Prof. David Stevens. The theme is "All the Fun of the Fair" featuring a helter-skelter and merry-go-round decked out with roses
As we enterd this marquee we engorged ourselves on the heady aroma of 25,000 exotic rose blooms with a strong tendency towards inebriation. If a discerning female could get this into a small bottle of perfume she'd give her right arm for it.
Mattocks Roses of Oxford. Large pots of roses set on raised stands in a pool of water with a fountain gently playing on it's surface. Very colourful show, well deserving the Gold Medal. Set on a table at the front was the Rose of the Year 1999, the pretty pink floribunda 'Fascination' along with the strongly scented "Royal William" H T rose, winner of the James Mason Award. Mavis says she would love them. "OUCH" my cheque book hurts! *S*
David Austin Roses of Wolverhampton is our usual choice for buying roses, very good plants and good quality worth the little bit extra in cost. Although winning themselves a gold medal we found their stand too crowded and messy in our opinion. It was based on a central path with a seat at the end and beds of roses on either side. Wonderful smell when sitting on the seat. (No, that is not us.)
Winner of the Tudor Rose Award for the floral marquees was the Heather and Brian Hiley stand. Suppliers of tender perrenials, grasses and ferns from Wallington in Surrey. Their stand was very well presented and really stood out. Congratulations to them.
Allwood Brothers of Hassocks West Sussex and growers of some very fine carnations and dianthus. A Gold Medal winning exhibit, some gorgeous colours here with a wonderful smell as you can imagine.
Blackmore & Langdon, Ltd of Bristol only Silver Medal. This stand stopped us in our tracks; a real feast of colour in absolutely stunning effect. By grouping all these large flowered begonias together in one big block was really eye catching. Perhaps a higher place should have been made?
Burncoose Nurseries of Redruth in Cornwall, Silver Gilt Medal. What a magnificent array of hydrangeas. Lovely big blooms on some well grown plants, worth a look. Wish we could grow such plants.
Take a Slow Boat to Happiness. Winner of the top Tudor Rose Award and well earned. designed by paul Stone for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust. Anthony Nolan was a young lad who died due to the lack of a suitable donor and this charity was set up in his memory, now having a large register of volunteers who save many valuable lives.
This was a traditional narrow boat in an idyllic countryside riverside scene, moored on an old timber pontoon and stunning banks of wild flowers either side of the towpath. I hope this gets them a lot more donations, they do some valuable work.
The Wind in the Willows. A well known story by Kenneth Grahame read by children from all over the world, beautifully brought to life by Simon and Kate Harman for Lilies Water Gardens in Surrey. It was a wild water garden cunningly put together round this traditional theme. But where are the characters, asleep? What a pity.
"I gazed and gazed but little thought/ What wealth to me this show had brought"
By allowing me to do this modest little program it has engraved itself on my inner eye and I will not forget it in a hurry. So thank you all for your indulgence.
Before I finish I'd like to thank Marylois for her guidance and encouragement through out. My son-in-law Bill Cochrane for loaning me a very expensive Nikon camera and helping me put the pictures into this effort. Finally, Mavis, my wife, green thumbed gardener and editor, for all her helpful comments and hitting me over the head a couple of times with the Oxford English Dictionary (that's right, the heavy one. Bless her *G*)
And finally, I feed my goldfish every morning, including a CATFISH, *G*.
The Hampton Court Flower Show 1999
Moderator: Martin Whapshare
TTR, Sat 4 Sep 99
Present were:
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Barbara,_N._CALIF
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
peeteilis (Tom in Ky)
Zeynep (N Carolina)
Jade-in-Grand Rapids
ahorchid (Art in S Carolina)
jim4eq (Jim in Miami)
Steve_in_the_Adirondacks
Richard_in_West_Palm_Beach
Kathy_in_N_Calif
marylois (N Louisiana)
Susan-from-Oregon (Prankster)
Jane5536 (Boca Raton, Fla)
Ed_in_SAT (Texas)
Robert_in_Long_Beach,_MS
MiamiBert
Gavwhap (Gavin Whapshare - Whapy's son)
Gail_(From_Boca_Raton)
Joflo (Sharon ?)
johngingarland (Texas)
Thamina (S Calif)
Janetteh N Carolina)
Evlyn (N Louisiana)
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Good evening kind folks, I would like to extend a warm welcome and thank
you for turning up. This has to be a first for someone in England and I
hope I can live up to the honour. I have tried to keep it light hearted
and amusing, I hope it comes through this way. I apologise for the links
not working, they do in my laptop but I couldn't get them to work in the
website. I am not literate in computing. What I do know is self-taught by
pushing buttons and seeing what happens. I believe Steve is much the same.
A personal thank you to Steve for all his help and late night chats of encouragement.
Gardening papers, magazines, leaflets, the official guide and a list of
all the awards surround me and I will do my best to answer all your questions.
I think Steve will start by showing you picture No1 which is the general
view of Burnham
Nurseries stand.
Zeynep
Beautiful orchids..
marylois
Yes - an orchid in every spot, yet you can see each of them clearly...
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
No2 please Steve Burnham's
Lc Quo Varis 'Floralia'
Marc
oo la la!
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Odontocidium Golden
Trident Burnham's again
Susan-from-Oregon
Ooh! Odonts! I like that tall leopardy fellow.
Kathy_in_N_Calif
Whapy, is Burnham a major grower in England? Any relation to Lord and Burnham's?? Safari outfitters?
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
No relation I know of. Burnham Nurseries are one of the leading growers
marylois
Harry of the now closed Creole Orchids (NOLA) showed a Golden Trident some years ago at one of the Gulf Coast shows, and I swear the blooms were 4 inches wide!
Ed_in_SAT
Burnham Nurseries is down in Devonshire - a good place to grow orchids.
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Yes in Devon and they are well known
Sparkysteve
Dendrobium Trakool
Red you can even read the label. What I notice is they aren't as artistic as the AOS wants a display to be. Blending of colors and all.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
True Steve but you can get a whole lot of better plants in this way!
marylois
Better plants this way?
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Next is Brian Hiley
stand showing grasses & ferns. General
view of Brian Hiley stand you can see why they won top award.
marylois
What a fern! What's the fir tree behind it, Whapy?
Zeynep
Whapy, gorgeous ferns, I love them.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Ferns are so nice as complements to orchids. They really set the orchids off.
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
I don't know about the tree I'm only interested in orchids.My wife's domain there
marylois
*S* *G*
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Rainforest Belize
simulating a jungle floor.There are some orchids bottom left somewhere
Kathy_in_N_Calif
Heck that's one HUGE tent!!
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
They must have many huge tents in England. Every show that I have ever seen has been held in a hugh tent!!
Susan-from-Oregon
I like the diffused light quality you get in those white tents. The plants look good. I might have to set a small one out in my yard during the mild season (week).
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
The next 3 pics are from Allwood Brothers stand and what carnations they are! The smell was tremendous [picture],
[picture], [picture].
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Do the carnations smell as nice as they look. They are one of my favorites. I have some in my garden but they sure don't look like that!! *S*
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Blackmore & Langdon stand and some gorgeous begonias
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Yellow Rendevous is BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Zeynep
Nice, tuberous begonias, reminds me of Banff
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE
That stand was show stopping the colour rooted us to the spot Burncoose
Nurseries hydrangeas. Gavin, who's the lady on the right?
Gavin Whapshare in CA
Its the Dragon! [Big Grin!]
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Don't you recognise your mother?
Kathy_in_N_Calif
Whapy, this is truly a HUGE flower show!!
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Mc Beans stand
Robert_in_Long_Beach,_MS
Sure wish we could grow those crispum-type Odonts here in the South.
ahorchid
I would like to try them also
sparkysteve
picture #14
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
That is a very beautiful display of mixed orchids. What a sight!!!!
marylois
All one phal, Whapy?
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
That last one was phal Grand City x Sussex Pearl
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Beautiful Phal in lower left corner!!
Susan-from-Oregon
Of course the Phal is nice, but I'm rivited by those spotted Odonts on the left. From what I understand, McBean pretty near invented Odonts!
ahorchid
At least you can grow them Susan. Don't do to well in my hot gh in south carolina
Susan-from-Oregon
Its the Phals I have trouble with!
Robert_in_Long_Beach,_MS
Susan, why is it that we always want to grow what doesn't suit our climate?
Zeynep
Human Nature
sparkysteve
It's just another part of our sickness Robert
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Close up of Phal Grand
City etc.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Beautiful spike!!!! I wish I could do that!!
Susan-from-Oregon
Its not so bad as all that, Robert, I REALLY like Odonts!
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
The next two are of Antony
Noland garden showing a narrow
boat. They do some fine charity work over here. Please refer to the write up for more info.
Robert_in_Long_Beach,_MS
Nice scene, but in Mississippi that would be skeeter country!
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
What a beautifully decorated canal boat (?)
Susan-from-Oregon
Thats it! I'm selling house, sheep, car, and border collies, and coming to live in THAT BOAT!
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Susan I thought it was Charlesworth that had the nice ones (They were eventually bought by McBean). Just think, you could go on vacation and carry your plants with you. NO problems getting someone to water while you are gone!! *S*
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Now we are on to Orchid Answer stand with Disa Uniflora [Sorry, no picture of Disa uniflora--kb]
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Miltonia Zoro from Orchid Answers
Susan-from-Oregon
Are those Miltonias mounted on tree fern?
ahorchid
mine don't look anything like those. sigh!!!
Kathy_in_N_Calif
Whapy, here we have Miltonia Zoro in yellow?
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Yes bright yellow and what a smell
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Orchid Answers, again Doritaenopsis
City Girl
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
That red lip is outstanding!!!!!
Susan-from-Oregon
Again, I'm taken by the Rossioglossum (tiger orchid) in the upper right!
Robert_in_Long_Beach,_MS
Nice lip on that Phal. So often the red isn't very dark or uniform.
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
and in close up, Dor.
City Girl
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Rossioglossum
Rowdon Jester
Susan-from-Oregon
I scream with delight! These are mounted too. Perhaps I'll try that. I have one that is shy to grow roots. Rawdon Jester is the best and easiest of the Rossios for me. Blooms twice a year. They don't grow too slowly. If you start with a small one now.....In 5 or 6 years......?
Barbara,_N._CA
I think they are in coconut pot. Yes?
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Orchid Answers are very good growers and Ray Bilton's a genius (the owner)
Susan-from-Oregon
Rawdon Jester has real big flowers (6 - 6.5 inches wide), on a fairly compact plant.
marylois
That's impressive, Susan. Don't see many in shows around here, of course - and when we do, flowers are smaller, plants weaker.
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Oncidium Sweet Sugar
marylois
Isn't that impressive?! All those dancing ladies against a golden yellow background.
Susan-from-Oregon
Okay, I'm sold! I'm going to get me some tree fern slabs.
janetteh
Rawdon Jester grows like a weed.
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Orchid Answer's again. Phal
Malibu Thrill
ahorchid
Super, nice color on phal. This is not fair.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Super is not good enough. It is better than that!!!! The brilliant background colors sure show the flowers to great advantage.
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
32&
33
are general views of Orchid Answer's stand it was out standing and deserved the gold medal
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
It sure did!!!!
Jade-in-GR
WOW!!
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Makes photography much easier. McBean's stand was difficult
janetteh
That is really a new and interesting way to display orchids. Wonder what the judges over here would say about such a display?
Barbara,_N._CA
You did a great job, Whapy.
marylois
Really like this display!
Barbara,_N._CA
What an interesting over hang display.
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E [4377]
We are now in the rose
marquee this is the Merry
Go Round. The roses on it are all 'Royal William'
marylois
I did a carousel once - but in a corner - three horses. Not enough large orchids to make it effective...and the one with the prmary colors - there was one similar back east - an Asian theme. I LOVED it, but seemed to be in the minority.
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
David Austin's
stand they supply very good quality roses(no that is not us)
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Mattocks Roses
stand they won the top floral award
sparkysteve
picture #39
how did they glue so many roses to the stems??????? Did you look close--are they plastic or not????? picture
#41
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Rosa Royal William
winner of the James Mason award and well deserved. A Hybrid Tea. Also No 42 florabunda Rose of the year award 'Fascination'
and worth seeing
Jade-in-GR
Was the room filled with a wonderful scent?
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Royal William - new this year?
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Yes new this year and a gorgeous colour
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
A wild garden waved around the story ' The
Wind in The Willows won top water garden award
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
What a wonderful show that was. Is it always like that?
ahorchid
How many people attended this show?
sparkysteve
WHapy is this a pet skunk? picture #45
Jade-in-GR
Whapy, you deserve a Gold Metal for this great program! Is Royal William rose richly scented? Is it from David Austin?
Kathy_in_N_Calif
Sparky you're shameless!
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
That's my CATFISH!
Refer to my write up!
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
I second the award of a double gold medal to Whapy!!!
marylois
Great job, Whapy - thanks ever so much for bringing Hampton Court to OrchidSafari!
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
Thank you very much. I will remember this show for a long time. That's my
Lc Angel Love
got for a discount thanks to you lot. I suppose Chelsea next year will be
the next great event over here. I'll be there I hope. I'm out of here I
have enjoyed it very much thank you all.
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