Sunday 22nd September 2024, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. (gardens are open from 9.30 a.m. until 6 p.m.)
*** Free Entry for BCSS Members! ***
Bradford and Leeds Branches are working together to organise the Autumn Cactus and Succulent Show at RHS Harlow Carr this year, which will take place on Sunday 22nd September 2024. All BCSS members will get free entry to the garden on the day.
The show will be held across the 3 rooms of the Bramall Learning Centre, a modern, eco-friendly building with a Sedum roof. 45 to 60 show classes are planned, to be judged by TBC. We will also have a large sales table, demos and plant displays. The cactus and succulent show will be open to the public from 11am until 4pm, with RHS Harlow Carr open 9.30am until 6pm.
The popular RHS garden features a range of planting styles including woodland, prairie, streamside and kitchen gardens, with the Subtropicana Garden likely to be of particular interest to BCSS members. This was planted with a range of colourful Aeonium and x Mangave cultivars last summer. We’ve also found out about a new cold-tolerant cactus bed which is being constructed in the Alpine House this year. You should see a good selection of hardy succulents and South African bulbs on display here during September too.
RHS Harlow Carr, which is just outside Harrogate in North Yorkshire, also hosts fruit and vegetable, sweet pea, cyclamen and alpine shows each year. It is the only one of the RHS’s 5 gardens not to have held a BCSS event before.
The show’s early autumn date means that both summer and winter-growing plants can be exhibited, so visitors will be able to see and be inspired by a wide range of succulent species. The schedule has not been decided yet, but the aim is for the show to feature some collection, educational and display classes, all with different judging criteria. We want as many BCSS members as possible to have the opportunity to enter their plants and have a chance of winning a certificate.
The location of the Bramall Learning Centre at the top of the garden gives easy, step-free access from the car park for members who are exhibiting plants. The building also has a small kitchen area we can use, so we’ll be able to offer volunteers and entrants free tea, coffee and biscuits.
Tracey Marshall from Bradford branch and Sue Keane from Leeds Branch will be sharing the show secretary role. For more information, to volunteer or to request a schedule when it becomes available, email the Secretary.
