Episode 16. "Local Excursion
No 11"
Thursday 23rd July – Ball Colegrave Summer 2015 Showcase
Once again the x3 amigos (Vincent Potts, Robert Bryce and myself)
got in the saddle but this time headed South into unknown territory. Yes
that’s right we headed South down the dreaded M6 towards - West
Adderbury, Banbury, Oxfordshire – this journey would take us South via
the M6, M42 & M40.
Our
destination was Ball Colegrave as they were having their Summer 2015
Showcase.
Who are
Ball Colegrave, a little history –
On June 6th 2001 Ball Horticultural Company joined forces with
The David Colegrave Group to deliver an even greater level of service
and products to growers, retailers and local authorities in the UK.
As a result of the merger, Ball Colegrave is supported by an even
stronger team of breeders across the world producing the most
commercially viable and innovative plants the industry has ever seen.
Today Ball Colgrave remains one of the only companies who still
rigorously trial new breeding lines in both commercial trials and on its
own Trial Grounds facility in West Adderbury, Oxfordshire.
The Company’s Summer Showcase hosted on its Trail Grounds is considered
amongst the best in the world, receiving over 2000 visitors every summer
from Growers, Retail Plant Buyers, Parks, Landscapes and Gardening
Press. During the 3 week event the company show cases many of its
existing top performing varieties in inspirational and stimulating patio
and garden displays along with presentations of new varieties and
experimental lines.
Back to
the story -
We had arranged to meet John Winfield at Ball Colegrave at 11am, we
made good time in getting there for just before 10:30hrs and that
included a cappuccino break at a Service Station on the way down.
While we were waiting for John Winfield, Gary and Joy Dando
arrived, we waited until 11am but John seemed to be running late so the
five of us went inside for a coffee and a sit down and waited for the
rest. Peter & June Sourbutts arrived and finally John. We all had a good
chat whilst finishing our drinks and then the 8 of us set off looking at
what was being showcased there.
I went
camera mad and took pictures of what I saw, the following is in no
particular order –
Begonia
plant of the day - 
I had to start with this Begonia experimental variety (see picture
on the left) as Vincent, Robert and myself thought this was the Begonia
plant of the day – We just hope it gets selected and released.
Scented
Begonias –
The following x2 pictures are of scented varieties – and trust me
they smelt nice – It’s just a shame the following pictures are not
“scratch and smell” or “smell o vision”
Experimental Begonia varieties –
The next x5 pictures are of all experimental varieties that I liked the
look of.
Starshine series –
The following x2 pictures are of the Starshine series
Northern Lights series –
The following x2 pictures are of the Northern Lights series.
Peter
and his dinner!!! –
Yes that cake is make out of Begonias
The
thorn between the roses!!! -
Joy Dando, June Sourbutts and Peter Sourbutts
Some
more Begonias –
Something different –
These are not Begonias but just as impressive –
And no in the first picture there is not x2 strange new varieties of
Petunia’s called Petunia Robert Bryce and Petunia John Winfield, well
not yet anyway….
It was a fabulous
experience and hopefully will be repeated next year –
At this point I would like to thank John Winfield for organizing the day
for us all.
Until next time….
