From perfect carrots to dinner plate dahlias
For lovers of monster veg and show gardens, here are the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show results for 2017 – a wonderful event for garden lovers. Pictures by Gary Welford.
The autumn shows are a beacon of hope for gardeners. Despite marking the end of one growing season, they give us ideas and plants for the year ahead. And Harrogate this year was no exception, whether you’re a beginner with a balcony or a show bench champion. Read my show review.
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show results – Vegetable competitions
Impressive as ever, especially the new novice categories, which encourage gardeners who haven’t won a title before to enter. There were a record 179 entries in the giant vegetable competition, including three new classes for novice growers.
Best in Show for the plant nursery displays went to Crewe-based Heuchera specialists, Plantagogo. Judges awarded 23 Premier Golds, seven up on 2016, with 17 Gold Awards, 12 Silver Gilt, and six Silver.
Show gardens
Both show gardens focused on providing a peaceful retreat from a busy world. Breathing Space, by Nicholas Edward Gardens of Ripon, received a Gold Award for its quiet reflective space where the visitor can escape and hide away.
The Gardener’s Idyll, by North of England Horticultural Society, Harrogate, showed a garden for those who crave peace – complete with an outdoor bath! It won a Silver Award.
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show results – Garden Border competition
The popular garden border competition returned in the Across the Border challenge, ranging from an oriental haven to a naturalistic design inspired by the North American Prairies.
Journey of Discovery – Horticap Ltd, Harrogate: Inspired by the charity’s 33-year journey, this garden border is designed to capture the spirit of adventure and determination. GOLD
In from the Cold – Bloodwise: Travelling to the northernmost part of Earth, this border uses the endless frosted tundra and snow-capped peaks of the Arctic as its inspiration. GOLD
Due East – Matt Haddon Gardens, Hornsea: This border transports you to the Orient with a contemplative, evocative planting scheme for slightly acidic soil in a sheltered space with light shade. SILVER GILT
Across the Prairie – Jo Manfredi-Hamer Garden Design, Boston Spa, and JH Garden Design, Holmfirth: Inspired by the North American Prairie, this border conveys a naturalistic feel with lush grasses and vivid autumn colours to awaken your senses! SILVER
A Little Peace – Austin’s Gardens, Leeds: A combination of late summer-flowering perennials and grasses creates a peaceful oasis, proving that you don’t need a big garden to be uplifted by plants. SILVER
No Fly Zone – Wacks Wicked Plants, Scampston: Crossing the Atlantic to North America for a close encounter with some rather curious garden border plants that offer the ultimate solution for fly control! BRONZE
Summat for Nowt – Harrogate and District Allotment Federation: Harrogate’s allotment holders share their secrets for creating practical uses for unwanted objects. NOT JUDGED
Floral Pavilion
The biggest autumn flower show in Britain, combined with plant association displays and the NAFAs displays – theme Postcards from the Hedge provided a feast of colour.
For the next flower show information, call 01423 546157 or visit www.flowershow.org.uk.
