Our show plants were prepared for the show at our Nursery in Melton, near Woodbridge in Suffolk. To enable us to show a
wide range of plants at the show, we needed to advance some plants flowering period and delay others. The precise
timing of this was the key to producing a gold medal-winning exhibit. The quality of these plants, regardless of the time of
the year that they would naturally flower, was the key to a gold medal winning stand. The show department as it is known,
is split into various areas, each giving different growing conditions, allowing us to control the growth of the plants.
The large glasshouse is the centre of our operation and it is split into three temperature areas. We are able to move
plants between the different sections, depending on their progress. The warm section also has growing lights, which can
extend the day length for the plants, and help advance the flowering period. This helps us produce plants like hibiscus that
normally flower in the height of summer.
The coolest part of the glasshouse contains many of the evergreen plants that we exhibit for their foliage. This allows us to
keep their foliage in peak condition. Many of the perennial plants are produced in this section.
The remaining section contained many of the roses produced for
our Mattocks
rose stand. All forms of roses are prepared here including our
CountyŽ Rose Collection in hanging baskets.
Outside, the show department is split into areas to hold climbing
plants, the rose arch and other shade areas. The shade areas are
used to slow the plants down and delay the flowering period. For
plants that flower very early in the season, we have a cold store
that acts as a fridge that reduces the plant growth to a minimum
and is essential in a mild spring. | 