Leonardslee Gardening Team Celebrates Success at RCMG Wessex Branch Show
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is celebrating a fantastic achievement for its horticultural gardening team, following an impressive collection of wins at the recent RCMG Wessex Branch Show, which was held at Leonardslee itself!
The team received several first, second and third place awards across a range of classes, including rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, foliage and flowering shrubs. They were also awarded the Kathleen Beadle Memorial Trophy for the most competition points overall.
One of the standout achievements of the show was winning Best Bloom in Show for a spray of an unknown red evergreen azalea, thought to possibly be ‘Geisha Girl’ or ‘Geisha Red’. The bloom also received first place in the Evergreen Azalea class.
A Strong Result Across the Classes
Leonardslee’s entries were recognised across several categories, reflecting the range of plant material cared for by the gardens team.
First place awards included:
Rhododendron degronianum ssp. yakushimanum in the Elepidote Species class
Gevuina avellana in the Spray of Leaves class
Rhododendron ‘Solidarity’ in the Elepidote Hybrid class
Rhododendron Loderi ‘Game Chick’ in the Elepidote Hybrid class
An unknown evergreen azalea, possibly ‘Geisha Girl’ or ‘Geisha Red’, in the Evergreen Azalea class
Enkianthus campanulatus in the Flowering Tree or Shrub class
The team also received second place awards for Rhododendron macabeanum, Camellia japonica ‘Nancy Bird’ and an unknown deciduous azalea, possibly ‘Gloria Mundi’.
A third place award was also given for an unknown rhododendron with a frilly pink flower.
Best Bloom in Show
The unknown red evergreen azalea was a particular highlight, receiving both first place in its class and Best Bloom in Show.
While the exact variety has not yet been confirmed, the bloom was noted as possibly being ‘Geisha Girl’ or ‘Geisha Red’. Its recognition at the show marks a proud moment for the team and reflects the quality of plants being grown and cared for within the gardens.
Recognising the Team’s Work
The Kathleen Beadle Memorial Trophy for most competition points overall is a significant achievement for the Leonardslee team. It reflects consistent success across multiple classes, rather than a single winning entry.
These results are a credit to the skill, care and attention of the horticultural gardening team, who work throughout the year to maintain and develop the gardens’ plant collections.
Their success at the RCMG Wessex Branch Show is a wonderful recognition of that ongoing work.
Congratulations to the whole team on an outstanding set of results.