Spray that came in from the cold

The cold weather means that early flowering varieties of daffodil, not usually seen at the spring show, are this year on display with Johnny Walkers of Walkers Bulbs, in Lincolnshire, bringing the Johann Strauss variety.

He said: “We have never brought it before because its early flowering.

“Because this is a late season we have still got early flowering varieties in good condition so we can bring them to the show,” Mr Walkers said.

The daffodil show will also this year welcome renowned growers and judges Peter Ramsey and his wife, Lesley, from Matangi, New Zealand, who will be selecting Best in Show. Dr Ramsey has raised over 100 new cultivators, many now grown in the UK, and was last week presented with the Peter Barr Cup by the Royal Horticultural Society for services to daffodils.

This year Yorkshire’s glorious landscape and famous landmarks have proved the inspiration for some of the show gardens from the majesty of the Dales, to the hustle and bustle of the county’s capital and the historic Bingley Five Rise Locks have all inspired show gardens at the event which gets under way today.

David Wood, of Wood Landscapes, in Bradford, says his show garden, was not only inspired by his home county - it also features a special piece of its history. For at its heart it has a pergola made with reclaimed lock gates from the historic Bingley Five Rise Locks.

He hopes his design, entitled The Green Room shows how gardens can successfully incorporate recycled materials and can be an outdoor extension of people’s homes.

Lizzie Tulip, of Lizzie Tulip Garden Design, in York, who also has a show garden at the event, said: “Yorkshire is a huge inspiration. I am inspired by the landscape – you cannot get anything better,” she said.

She said of her The Rough with the Smooth entry: “Its a garden for Yorkshire so that’s what its all about.

“All the materials and all the plants are sourced and grown in Yorkshire so its a spring garden for Yorkshire,” she said.

Texture features heavily in the garden. With two pathways leading to an elevated seating area, while shrubs and woodland planting nestle in dappled shade, set against a backdrop of stone walling and yew hedging.

This year the event, which runs until Sunday, features a record 17 show gardens. They have been re-located to a central position at the show’s home at the Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate, and split into two different categories – one for professional designers and one for community or college displays.

Martin Fish, show director, said: “We have doubled the number of outdoor show gardens since they were launched to mark our centenary in 2011.

“This is in direct response to requests from our visitors, who told us they enjoy seeing the inspirational designs and want to see more.

“Harrogate Spring Flower Show has over 100 of the UK’s leading nurseries, many offering brand new plant varieties for people to try.”

Yesterday the showground was a hive of activity as exhibitors put the final touches to their displays, exhibits, stalls and arrangements.

Over 100 leading plant nurseries have displays and the event features the UK’s biggest display of flower arranging and floristry.

Among the floral art displays are the Yorkshire Flower Club’s 50th anniversary tribute to The Beatles first album, which also featured a giant yellow submarine and displays inspired by other songs and albums by the band.

Sandra Harder, chairman of the flower club, said there is an awful lot of planning which goes into the displays, with discussions about themes between club members starting last September.

Harrogate Spring Flower Show was recently rated the best gardening event in the UK by readers of Which? Gardening, with the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show ranked third in the country.