Hebe News – Article 1
SHOW REPORT – LLANGOLLEN GARDENING SHOW 2008
It was with some trepidation that Ginny and I set off for North Wales with a car loaded with hebes as well as all the bits and pieces which were needed for setting up a stand at the Gardening Show, held on June 7th and 8th in the Royal International Pavilion at Llangollen. We had no idea what to expect, as this was the first time that we had exhibited there and, despite Sue’s assurances that this was a show not to be missed, where we and the Society should be participating, we were somewhat apprehensive about travelling 220 miles to a new venue in foreign parts. Did we have too many or too few plants of the right varieties, would visitors be familiar with and interested in hebes and, perhaps more importantly, would the approach that we take to shows in the south of England translate to North Wales? However, all our fears were unjustified, and we had a whale of a time.
The stand location introduced a new challenge, as we had to set up an island display, which visitors could approach from all sides, as opposed to a linear stand against a wall, with access only from the front, which is what we are used to. With some ingenuity, prompted by not a little desperation, we devised a pyramidal display, which brought compliments from several other exhibitors and a number of visitors.
The assistance of Sue and John Bosson through taking home 40 plants after the AGM in Sussex, was a great help in ensuring that we were able to put on a display of some 120 plants in total, which was reasonably representative of the various forms of the genus Hebe, and covered 45 different species/cultivars.
The presence of a crack sales team comprising Sue and John, Ginny and myself, with Margaret and Tony Hayter and Diana and Arthur Packham, undoubtedly contributed to plant sales being better than anticipated, which totalled 91. The old favourites Hebe ‘Midsummer Beauty’ and Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’ were particularly in demand, as was Hebe ‘Lavender Spray’, which for once was in full flower at the time of a show. It was noticeable that white-flowered varieties were more popular than at other shows in previous years, with stocks of Hebe ‘Wiri Mist’, Hebe ‘Spender’s Seedling’, Hebe vernicosa and Hebe rigidula disappearing rapidly.
We all had interesting and informative conversations with visitors, most, but by no means all, on topics related to hebe cultivation (bird watching and vegetable cultivation being notable digressions). Given the proximity of the show to the North Wales coast, it was perhaps unsurprising that many of the discussions centred on tolerance to salt spray and the problems associated with high winds restricting height of growth - matters on which none of us could speak from personal experience, but which were certainly illuminating. One of the benefits of exhibiting at shows is what one can learn from the experience of others.
Overall, participation in this show was a great pleasure, partly as a result of the efficient, but laid-back, way in which the organisers, Stephen and David Green, went about encouraging us to exhibit, and the support they gave once we were on site. The friendly and enthusiastic visitors to the stand also made it all worthwhile. We shall do all we can to be there next year.
Gordon Smith and Sue Bosson
Registered Charity No 801398
