Daffodils and friendly rivalry

I’ve loved traditional horticultural shows since childhood when an elderly neighbour persuaded me to enter her local club’s show. She allowed me to raid her garden for flowers and first prize for a floating garden ensured I was hooked.

For many years, I’ve been a member of Cheltenham Horticultural Society and used to enter their classes, winning a couple of novice cups along the way.

Work and general time pressures mean I rarely get myself organised enough to enter now but I do still love to visit the shows.

There’s a genuine sense of friendly rivalry – no armed guards over prized leeks for these growers.

The society, which was formed in 1942 as part of the wartime Dig for Victory campaign, runs horticultural shows in spring and summer. The first is full of the optimism of the start of a new growing season while summer is a celebration of things achieved.

The classes are such that anyone from the really expert growers – and the club has many of those – to the true beginners can take part. I’ve never been brave enough to enter the daffodil classes, not being confident enough to separate ‘trumpet cultivars’ from ‘large-cupped cultivars’ but a vase of one tulip is easy for anyone. And I’m sure, if I asked, someone would explain the daffodil classes to me for the members are nothing if not eager to share their knowledge.

The annual spring show at Cheltenham’s Pittville Pump Room did not disappoint and was full of colour and scent, thanks to vases of hyacinths.

The daffodils were varied and beautiful, though it would have been nice to have seen more cultivar names from the exhibitors.

There were pots of alpines from some of the club’s well-known growers.

Vegetables were well represented, despite this not being their main show.

The warm weather meant vases of mixed flowers were truly varied.

Yellow was the theme for one class in the flower arranging.

And there was even a grown-up version of the floating garden – a hellebore in a wine glass.

I had a great visit, catching up with old friends, talking about the vagaries of the season so far and trying to resist the plants from some of my favourite nurseries, including Hoo House and Harrells Hardy Plants.

I was even roped in to judge the Easter bonnets and Junior Classes. Who knows, perhaps winning might inspire a gardener of the future.

• The next of CHS’s horticultural shows will be held at Cheltenham’s Pittville Pump Room on August 18, 2019.