John Chiswell,
South West Area Treasurer, lives at Midsomer Norton, Somerset, where he
carries out most of his propagation work. However, he has a facility
nearby at Chilcompton where he grows his plants. John supports the Area
Show at Bideford, North Devon, and the South Wales Show in Swansea,
culminating in the National in September.
Visiting John some ten days before the National at Chilcompton he
was hoping for a period of warmth and sunshine. Dull and cold weather
had previously held back the blooms. The sun did in fact shine for the
days running up to the National and John was awarded The Blackmore &
Langdon Trophy for the most points in the bloom sections.
Besides the usual favourites, John grows a number of tubers that are not
normally seen, including some from Australia. The pictures show a cross
section of the varieties that were just coming into full size and bloom
at the time of our visit. Tubers and started plants are made available
in the spring to members.
