The new
season starts early for our friends at Blackmore and Langdon based
at Pensford on the
outskirts
of Bristol. With a number of RHS shows
to attend their new season commences over the Christmas weekend when
tubers are started, in a heated tunnel, to be ready for the Malvern
Spring Show, taking place over the 2nd weekend in May. This is
closely followed by Chelsea a few weeks later.
Visiting in
mid March it is an eye opener to see the scale of B&L’s operation.
Many people only see the “finished article” so to speak at the
shows. We know the work that goes in our own greenhouses but the
general public probably does not appreciate what goes on “behind the
scenes”.
It is hoped
that the following pictures will show the size of their operation.
For example they generally look for a stock of at least one thousand
tubers before putting a variety on sale to the general public. Many
tubers are now, of course, supplied worldwide.
B&L Sale
Weekend takes place on 9th to 11th May when a number NBS member
attend to take advantage of the varieties that are available. There
is also an opportunity to view the plants that will form B&L’s
display at the Chelsea Flower Show. It is probable that B&L’s
new introduction, Olivia, coral pink with a golden blush on the
petals will be on view. Additionally, it has a delicate
fragrance.
