Hardy Plant Society

Southport Flower Show 2010

Congratulations to the North West Group who were awarded a Gold Medal at the Southport Flower Show, which was held from 19th to 22nd August 2010.

A Coastal Collage

The inspiration for our display has come from the landscape of our North-West coast and the cultivated and indigenous flora that tolerates harsh conditions of wind, salt-laden air and low rainfall.

To emphasise a perception of depth (and space) in our display we have structured it diagonally, creating distinctive planting areas. Using a neutral backdrop, we show examples of taller plants, e.g heleniums and Verbena bonariensis, that can be grown within a protective windbreak. Also included are airy grasses, e.g. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’. These plants contrast with the variety of forms and textures of small and ground-hugging plants suitable for low-level planting in shingle, gravel, and in free-draining sandy soil, e.g Eryngium ‘Little Hobbit’ and various sedums. Key architectural plants, e.g Phormium and Yucca, act as focal points along the line of the diagonally-placed partly-submerged timber spars.

The dramatic quality of light on the coast has been reflected in our choice of colours: the silver/blues of eryngiums, santolinas, artemisias and anaphalis, reflecting sky and sea; and the golden browns and yellows of heleniums, crocosmias, and anthemis that reflect the colour of sand and gravel. Amongst these are both the strong colours and tonal shades of the many hardy herbaceous plants that will grow in the often free-draining soil found around the North-West coast.

The Hardy Plant Society has many members who live and garden in coastal areas, and their practical experience and know-how contributes significantly to the role of the Society in preserving and disseminating knowledge of growing beautiful hardy-herbaceous plants in often the most difficult conditions.

Photos by Denis Watson, text by North-West HPS Groups.